THE WELCH COMPANY
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111-2496
415 781 5700
rod@welchco.com


S U M M A R Y


DIARY: February 13, 2012 09:45 AM Monday; Rod Welch

Future Ford service Mercury investigate failed start at Wells Fargo.

1...Summary/Objective


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CONTACTS 
0201 - Future Ford                                                                                                                                                        
020101 - Mr. Les J Schivo                                                                                                                                                 
020102 - Service Advisor 
020104 - Service Department  

SUBJECTS
Mercury Sable 2002 Start Failed Electrical Ignition System Battery C                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
3103 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3103 -    ..
3104 - Summary/Objective                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
3105 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
310501 - Follow up ref SDS 7 0000. ref SDS 5 0000.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
310502 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
310503 - Car wouldn't start on leaving the bank this morning.  After a few                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
310504 - tries, it started, so drove to Future Ford.  Could not find a problem.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
310505 - ref SDS 0 T69L  Few more eipsodes occurred later in the day, but not                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
310506 - as bad like at Wells Fargo. ref SDS 0 5M5J   This evening found report                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
310507 - by Future Ford changing ignition system wires; could have affected                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
310508 - ingition system problems today. ref SDS 0 GN5N                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
310509 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
310510 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
310511 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
310513 -  ..
3106 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3107 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3108 - Progress                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3109 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
310901 - Drove to Wells Fargo bank this morning, which is about 1.5 miles from                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
310902 - the house.  The car started normally in the garage, as it has everyday                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
310903 - since 2004.  After returning to the car, it would not start.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
310905 -  ..
310906 - The engine barely turned over, indicating the battery was not                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
310907 - charged, and despite having just started the car in the garage.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
310909 -  ..
310910 - Tried to start the car several times, and once it seemed to nearly                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
310911 - start.  Tried a few more times.  On about the 6th try, the car                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
310912 - started.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
310914 -  ..
310915 - Was intending to visit the VA for results of the lab last week on                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
310916 - 120209 1118. ref SDS 9 NP5G                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
310918 -  ..
310919 - Decided to stop at Future Ford, which is along the route to the VA.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
310920 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
310921 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
310923 -  ..
3110 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3111 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3112 - 1012                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
3113 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
311301 - Visited Don at Future Ford.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
311302 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
311303 - Before going into the service department, turned the car off and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
311304 - started it again.  At this time, it starts normally.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
311306 -  ..
311307 - Don was the service manager who supported work on 120128 1116.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
311308 - ref SDS 7 IC4I                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
311310 -  ..
311311 - Don checked the battery and said it has 100% charge, as reported for                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
311312 - service on 120128 1116. ref SDS 7 DW6M                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
311314 -  ..
311315 - Don asked to start the car.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
311317 -  ..
311318 - The car started normally; so, was unable to replicate the problem.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
311320 -  ..
311321 - He said there could be a slight problem in the ignition system, but                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
311322 - it would take a lot of work to investigate.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
311324 -  ..
311325 - Don said to continue monitoring the situation, and get service later                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
311326 - if problems recur.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
311328 -  ..
311329 - Since the car started up after arriving at Future Ford, and started                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
311330 - up again after talking to Don, assume problems were a fluke.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
311331 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
311332 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
311334 -  ..
3114 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3115 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3116 - 1440                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
3117 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
311701 - Later in day had 2 more episodes with car having slight diffiuclty                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
311702 - starting, but not as severe as this morning at Wells Fargo, per above.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
311703 - ref SDS 0 KR6G                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
311705 -  ..
311706 - Occurred leaving ACI in Moraga, and then at Staples on Treat at                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
311707 - Clayton.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
311708 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
311710 -  ..
3118 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3119 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3120 - 2141                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
3121 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
312101 - Problem might the ignition (starter) system is beginning to fail.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
312103 -  ..
312104 - Actually, Future Ford's recent work performing tune up, reports                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312105 - changing ignition system wires, reported on 120128 1116. ref SDS 7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
312106 - 6C4H                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312108 -  ..
312109 - Not sure why Don and I didn't think of reviewing how this work might                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312110 - cause ignition system to fail today.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312112 -  ..
312113 - The letter on 120131,from the service manager, Jamie Hall, at Future                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312114 - Ford requests notice of issues from service on invoice 188423,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
312115 - ref SDS 8 PO5P, and notes that customer....                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
312116 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312117 -           complete satisfaction is our highest priority.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
312119 -  ..
312120 - Jamie's phone number..................... 925 686 5005                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312121 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312123 -  ..
3122 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3123 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3124 - 2309                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
3125 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
312501 - Submitted letter to Jamie at Future Ford saying...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
312502 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312503 -    1.  Subject: Re: Thanks for your visit (invoice 188423)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
312504 -        Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:09:43 -0800                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
312511 -         ..
312512 -    2.  Thanks for your letter on 120131, ref SDS 8 IC4I, and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
312513 -        requesting feedback on service Future Ford performed on 120128                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
312514 -        for invoice # 188423. ref SDS 8 PO5P                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
312516 -         ..
312517 -    3.  I worked with Don Tuller (492); he did a terrific job                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
312518 -        determining scope and coordinating service. [...reported on                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
312519 -        120128 1116. ref SDS 7 IC4I...]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
312521 -         ..
312522 -    4.  Future Ford performed a "Tune up."  The invoice says in part...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312524 -         ..
312525 -    5.  "E.  105119 Perform spark plugs and ignition wires replacement                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
312526 -        procedure per workshop manual.  Reassemble retest passed." (see                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312527 -        item E) line 511914. [reported on 120128 1116. ref SDS 7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
312528 -        6C4H...]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312530 -         ..
312531 -    6.  Please submit Ford's specification explaining service scope for                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312532 -        "tune up."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
312534 -         ..
312535 -    7.  This morning the car started normally.  I drove to Wells Fargo.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312536 -        On leaving the bank about 5 minutes later, the car wouldn't                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
312537 -        start when I turned the ignition key.  Couldn't hear the engine                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312538 -        turn over. [...see above, ref SDS 0 KR6G...]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
312540 -         ..
312541 -    8.  This has never happened before in the 8 year vehicle history.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312542 -        After several tries, the car started.  I drove to Future Ford.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
312543 -        Fortunately, Don was on duty.  He checked the battery and found                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312544 -        100% charge.  Don indicated something might be amiss in the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
312545 -        ignition system.  He suggested monitoring the problem; see line                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312546 -        3112. [...see above, ref SDS 0 T69L...]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
312548 -         ..
312549 -    9.  As noted, there were several more problems later in the day,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
312550 -        less severe than at Wells Fargo this morning. ref SDS 0 5M5J                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
312552 -         ..
312553 -   10.  Having worked on the ignition system doing "reassemble and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
312554 -        retest" for the tune up, please call me to schedule another                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
312555 -        "retest" to correct this problem following service on 120128.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312556 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312557 -            [On 120214 0821 called and talked to Jamie; he feels the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
312558 -            problem might be a failing alternator; agreed to perform                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
312559 -            retest at no charge. ref SDS 10 VU6Q                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
312561 -             ..
312562 -            [On 120216 1117 Future Ford invoice 189370 replaced battery                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
312563 -            on warranty, ref SDS 11 IT4F, damaged by faulty work 2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
312564 -            weeks earlier performing tune up services on electrical                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
312565 -            ignition system; but, charged $336.38 to repair ignition                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
312566 -            starter system also damanged by the prior work. ref SDS 11                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
312567 -            E54F                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312569 -             ..
312570 -            [On 120225 1114 letter to Future Ford confirms entitlement                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
312571 -            to warranty coverage on repairing starter damaged by failed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312572 -            battery replaced on warranty, and for 90 day warranty on                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
312573 -            prior work servicing the ignition starter system on 020128.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312574 -            ref SDS 12 YH4W                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
312576 -             ..
312577 -            [On 120315 1527 letter from Jamie, Service Manager,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
312578 -            confirms Future Ford performed tune up that included work                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312579 -            on ignition system and within 2 weeks the ignition starter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
312580 -            and the battery failed, well within the 12 month warranty                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312581 -            period; Future Ford replaced the battery; yet, refuses to                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312582 -            honor the warranty for repairing the starter. ref SDS 13                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
312583 -            AG8N                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312585 -         ..
312586 -   11.  Finally, I mentioned to Don this morning that invoice #188423                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
312587 -        reports tire treads and break linings have increased after                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
312588 -        driving 5000 miles (see line 520402. 120128 1116, ref SDS 7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
312589 -        8F4L                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
312591 -         ..
312592 -   12.  When the ignition system is retested, please double check brake                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312593 -        and tread wear to set a baseline for future service.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
312595 -         ..
312596 -   13.  Vehicle care, like health care, is complex, so snafus are going                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
312597 -        to occur.  Your support taking timely action is greatly                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
312598 -        appreciated.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
312599 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312607 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312608 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312609 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312610 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312611 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312612 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
312613 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
3127 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Distribution. . . . See "CONTACTS"