Stadawim

Did anybody successfully start one of these? If not, can we? Maybe for all models, but primarily for these (since it's one of mine?)I've just got through searching for a particular rust issue i know of and didn't find mention of it here, so i am going to start a list with the ones i know and feel free to jump on in... Trunk Lid Chrome Strip - either end at the body Caused by - the strip rubs on the trunk lid at the ends taking paint with it Fix (brought to you by durasel) - take off the inside trunk trim (minding the clips) to get to the chrome molding the pull handle has torx screws to unscrew; they are stationary so you have to pull out on the molding or grip the studs to get it off as well as 2 white plastic lock clips that you have to depress tape off the area, sand off the rust, put on rust neutralizer, prime and paint recommend putting a bit of foam cushioning to keep the paint from being dug into again Passenger Doors Inner Lip (front & rear) - at edges of each door where the body metal is folded to inside; typically noted on rear doors Caused by - elements; typical route for rain drainage as well as road debris to get in and stay Fix - sand off rust, neutralize, prime and paint silicone caulk seam area of metal to prevent future water drainage issues Rocker Panel - seems to start in front of the rear wheels Caused by - most likely drainage issue around wheel well, but could be road debris collector Fix - sand off rust, neutralize, prime and paint This last one was the reason i wanted to get this going because i wanted to ask about this. I have personally seen 4 Fusions in this model year grouping with this trouble, one of which has a nice grapefruit-sized hole. This one concerns me because mine is developing this; i already see the paint bubbling on the surface with tip breaks indicating imminent rust breakthrough. I was hoping someone knew exactly where or how this one comes about in an effort to thwart this before it gets ridiculous, like the other one i saw. Two of these are in my parking lot at work. Actually wouldn't mind getting the pix in here as well.

I'm gonna update this thread as well as i have a (perhaps stoopid) question relating to this... When off, do the ambient light controls also control whether the instrument cluster lights stay on or off? Like, during the day? My lights are weird. I've talked about swapping/disabling the DRLs elsewhere, and was curious as to their relation to the instrument cluster lights. My understanding is typically the cluster lights should not be on if the DRLs are the only lights on. Is this so in Fords? Or are the ambient lights the reason the cluster lights are on?

On an aside - i have found possibly the in-channel vent visors were the culprits as not only were a couple broken but installed wrong and pulled the seal in important areas. This is most likely a stretch, but i'm hopeful. I'm installing new ones anyway.

Yea, that's same here in WI. I think "white" light is the grey area. Lights haven't been white for a long time, and most bulbs can't even produce white light. The 'warm' glow. So that should be sufficient. I've (knock on metal) never been stopped for it before truthfully. But have been stopped for tinting the plate! Though nothing came of it.?

Nah, no flood. It does seem to leak somewhere, because it dries out when it's sunny and gets worse when rainy. When we got it it was dry. The bottom of the door sills have moisture on them... even now. Can there be seepage into the floor from there? That prolly means either the door seals are bad or the door/window plastic is separating i would suppose. Man... sure would be nice to have car with no leaks for a change. Of the 13 cars i've owned/own, this would be number 6 that has it somewhere.

Well i had seen that the HMSL is a common rust cause in the Fusion, so i thought maybe it was filtering through the fixture and getting down to the lights. Maybe? I dunno. I do have the rust starting at the ends of the chrome, so most likely it'd get through, yes? And it's not like the "dimly lit plate" is being any help. I just remember a time when ALL lights were dull yellowed bulbs and it makes no difference to me what color or how bright the plate light is - i don't see it when i'm driving, nor do i use its light. So it doesn't matter what light comes out of it. Just my opinion.? Mine is gonna be a regular ol' bulb back there. Any John Q Laws that don't like it.... meh. Don't care. They will or won't based on their attitude that day. I find that you just can't trust how their day is going. If you get pulled by the cop who just found out their SO is cheating on them, you're gonna get the blunt end of the stick anyway. Quite frankly i make do with regular ol' bulbs in lots of places; LEDs don't 'do it' for me like it does for these other peeps. And i'll NEVER put LEDs in my classics - that's just wrong.

I'm going to update this because mine also look like this. And i guess i'll get the replacements to fix one that is all cracked and rust spotted. However, i wanted to point out that the foam seal is pretty nice and intact. So i wonder how the rust got in there? Is that the rust problem carried down from the HMSL fixture? I thought i read somewhere in here how to fix that.... But i also wanted to ask - am i like the only one who wants to NOT get bright white or whatever color LEDs in these fixtures? I want no part of authority-types having a BETTER view of my plate than they already have. A nice dull yellowed bulb will be just fine for them and me.

No, it actually has not driven in rain since we've owned it (hasn't been that long, still got paper plates). So it's gotten wet sitting still. And does not smell sweet enough to be coolant (nor taste! - don't ask).

So i just got done looking around at past issues about this, and most seem to stem from the moonroof. Of course; moonroofs are notorious for this. BUT! Mine doesn't have a moonroof. Yet i apparently still have a slight leak. So i wanted to launch this one to ask - anyone know or heard of where this comes from? It's moist enough inside to keep the rear window fogged after a rain, and affect the windshield for bit. The carpet at the drivers' feet is the moistest (is that a word?), but still feels a little moist at the passenger feet too. The rear feets seem fine, and no wetness can be felt along headliner seams or anything. I'm going to investigate to see if any doors feel wetter than they should. But is there somewhere i should be looking?

I'm gonna add to this cause i'm in the same boat. I've only got one key because the other was lost by the previous owner. So i can buy a key fob or two and have the dealership program at least the one, but maybe the second if they won't charge. The question here though is; can i get like any Ford key fob? Pertaining to a Fusion, that is. As in a straight key instead of the flip out. Not too sure about those flip outs. Got one on the work truck and don't like it much.

Tis okay. What i meant to say and didn't was that - if i get the LED/EL strip functioning as the DRLs, i won't disable them as there won't be any point. Those serve no other purpose. I can live with that.

Addendum - I just looked it up... can't believe i didn't check on it before. So what i have are the Spyder sets in black/smoke seen here: Spyder Headlamp set And the details there do in fact state that the LED/EL strip is supposed to be the DRL. Interesting. So whomever hooked it up hooked it up wrong. Hopefully it's a simple matter of switching connectors/wires.

Again, thanks for the response. The dealer does this? Is it that complex a procedure? Wow. I may have to experiment a little with this to see where i can go. I was hoping it might've been a simple relay pull or whatever. But i suppose since these lights kick on once the car is in Drive, that's not a fool-proof option. I will definitely follow up on my work/findings.

Thanks for that. I have no problem committing the drill if need be. And have a couple friendly techs to help. My 'issue' with it is the color. I would of course like to match with the body and mine is said to be 'Tuxedo Black'. But i swear in daylight, the metallic flake paint job looks more like a super dark grey than black. I expect Tuxedo to be more of a pure black. Or am i mistaken and this is Ford's version of Tuxedo? Is Anthracite a possibilty? I have checked its VIN and it does indeed confirm the black paint.

Anyone done this? Is this easy to do? In the case of a non-spoiler having type? I'd like to get one, although it's not entirely necessary. And depending on if it's easy (or even possible) is to whether i will or not.