wrench light and no throttle response

[OscarTheGrouch]

This is a dealer only part and I would be very careful about buying a throttle body from anyone other than a dealer. I replaced mine for 200 and change. I could easily polish the bad one I took off and sell it online for twice as much. I would never do that but I am just saying be careful.

 

Also, I never had to perform any sort of relearning for the new TB. As far as I can find since your are replacing a part with the same piece the computer already knows the limits as they are the same as the one you removed. Manuals say relearn for batery replacement or other loss of power.

 

 

Ordering it off Amazon from Starkville Ford. I figure that's the safest best to pay less than the 300+ that Ford direct wants.

[bmichael415]

I just picked up my 2010 Fusion 2.5 up from the dealership today. I had to have the same part replaced because the car was doing the exact same thing.

 

Here's the kicker... Over a year ago, the car started hesitating during acceleration - but rarely. I called the service department and was informed that Fusions "do that sometimes", that it was believed to be a heat-related issue and it would go away. It only happened a couple more times over the next year.

 

Fast forward to last Friday - I am now past the 36k warranty threshold. I am making a left turn on to a busy street and the hesitating started again but this time is was dramatic and left me a sitting duck in front of oncoming traffic. Accelerating from the next light, it started shaking violently and lost all power. I called the tow and took it to the dealer. On Monday, the service rep called to tell me it was the throttle body but it wasn't covered under warranty. I informed him that I was still well within the powertain warranty and he sort of chuckled. Apparently this part is considered part of the emissions system. That's BS.

 

I have called 7 dealerships around the country and got the same answer: that this is a widespread and very common problem. Not only that but two people I know personally have had the exact same issue with the throttle body. NO WAY that is a coincidence.

 

Now I wasted 3 hours from being on the phone with Ford Customer "Care" with no help, I'm out $306 and Ford is still refusing to replace this part.

 

I have filed complaints with the NHTSA and the BBB Auto Line. I suggest you do the same.

 

Not giving up on this one.

[VonoreTn]

I just picked up my 2010 Fusion 2.5 up from the dealership today. I had to have the same part replaced because the car was doing the exact same thing.

 

Here's the kicker... Over a year ago, the car started hesitating during acceleration - but rarely. I called the service department and was informed that Fusions "do that sometimes", that it was believed to be a heat-related issue and it would go away. It only happened a couple more times over the next year.

 

Fast forward to last Friday - I am now past the 36k warranty threshold. I am making a left turn on to a busy street and the hesitating started again but this time is was dramatic and left me a sitting duck in front of oncoming traffic. Accelerating from the next light, it started shaking violently and lost all power. I called the tow and took it to the dealer. On Monday, the service rep called to tell me it was the throttle body but it wasn't covered under warranty. I informed him that I was still well within the powertain warranty and he sort of chuckled. Apparently this part is considered part of the emissions system. That's BS.

 

I have called 7 dealerships around the country and got the same answer: that this is a widespread and very common problem. Not only that but two people I know personally have had the exact same issue with the throttle body. NO WAY that is a coincidence.

 

Now I wasted 3 hours from being on the phone with Ford Customer "Care" with no help, I'm out $306 and Ford is still refusing to replace this part.

 

I had a similar issue on an Explorer where I complained about a noise, which resulted in a shortfall after the warranty period. Since I had the Ford service receipt which listed my complaint and their response, which was to do nothing, They did fix it after the warranty period for free. But I got no where with the service manager, I had to go to the Dealership owner, who told his guys to fix it for no charge. I was very polite yet firm through the whole transaction. I hope you kept your Service receipt.

[Joker5354]

So, I have had the same acceleration/Wrench light problem with my car. Codes read for the throttle body. Never had a problem until the other day after doing a Seafoam clean. Have since found some liquid residue within the intake/filter and even the throttle body plug. I'm not 100% that the throttle body needs replaced yet as I'm going to give it a good cleaning first.

 

With that said, most of the what I'm finding online for this problem appears to be regarding the 2010 model. I drive a 2007 Fusion 3.0L so I'm curious if anyone knows if this had the problem to? Does anyone know the TSB number that I could look up? Also, does anyone happen to know what model number of the throttle body replaces the old one (Is the one Texas showed compatible with earlier models?). The number on mine is 6E5E-9F991-AD if that helps.

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

[con_fusion]

I just picked up my 2010 Fusion 2.5 up from the dealership today. I had to have the same part replaced because the car was doing the exact same thing.

 

Here's the kicker... Over a year ago, the car started hesitating during acceleration - but rarely. I called the service department and was informed that Fusions "do that sometimes", that it was believed to be a heat-related issue and it would go away. It only happened a couple more times over the next year.

 

Fast forward to last Friday - I am now past the 36k warranty threshold. I am making a left turn on to a busy street and the hesitating started again but this time is was dramatic and left me a sitting duck in front of oncoming traffic. Accelerating from the next light, it started shaking violently and lost all power. I called the tow and took it to the dealer. On Monday, the service rep called to tell me it was the throttle body but it wasn't covered under warranty. I informed him that I was still well within the powertain warranty and he sort of chuckled. Apparently this part is considered part of the emissions system. That's BS.

 

I have called 7 dealerships around the country and got the same answer: that this is a widespread and very common problem. Not only that but two people I know personally have had the exact same issue with the throttle body. NO WAY that is a coincidence.

 

Now I wasted 3 hours from being on the phone with Ford Customer "Care" with no help, I'm out $306 and Ford is still refusing to replace this part.

 

I have filed complaints with the NHTSA and the BBB Auto Line. I suggest you do the same.

 

Not giving up on this one.

 

I have not had the tb problem yet but something you said rang a bell with me. I have had a few instances where I went to accelerate and it hesitated and shook slightly like it was going to die. Makes me wonder if I'm eventually going to have a tb problem. The other weird thing is I have a pause when shifting from 1->2 and 2->3. Trans was rebuilt and it still did that afterward. Someone mentioned on another thread that they had the shift pause but it went away when the TB had to be replaced. <sigh>

[con_fusion]

So, I have had the same acceleration/Wrench light problem with my car. Codes read for the throttle body. Never had a problem until the other day after doing a Seafoam clean. Have since found some liquid residue within the intake/filter and even the throttle body plug. I'm not 100% that the throttle body needs replaced yet as I'm going to give it a good cleaning first.

 

With that said, most of the what I'm finding online for this problem appears to be regarding the 2010 model. I drive a 2007 Fusion 3.0L so I'm curious if anyone knows if this had the problem to? Does anyone know the TSB number that I could look up? Also, does anyone happen to know what model number of the throttle body replaces the old one (Is the one Texas showed compatible with earlier models?). The number on mine is 6E5E-9F991-AD if that helps.

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Not sure about the 2007 but the manual for the 2010 says the tb cannot be cleaned - fwiw

[Joker5354]

Not sure about the 2007 but the manual for the 2010 says the tb cannot be cleaned - fwiw

 

Ya, unfortunately the throttle body is a sealed unit so it's most likely the electronics or motor inside that's screwed up. I guess to clarify, I am going to clean any carbon and all the residue I found, as well as clean the pins on the throttle body connector.

[OscarTheGrouch]

Hopefully tonight is the night... Will update as events warrant... Damn it's hot outside..

[OscarTheGrouch]

FOILED I cannot find the TB Gasket Locally... blah...

[mav3rick]

I dont know if different states run different warranty laws/regulations or what, but I had my TB replaced at 40k under an emissions warranty. After the replacement of the TB my shifts were much smoother for sure, there were no more pauses. However, when I first start the car sometimes, the first time going through the gears the car shifts from 3k rpms down to about 1.5 and sometimes that feels like a strong shift; usually between 1-2. It seems only to happen when I am light on the throttle just getting going. My old car was a standard and I use to feel a strong shift all the time so I assume it cant be that bad...

[OscarTheGrouch]

SC has no state inspections, but upon sleeping on this, I'm just going to go to Advance Auto and get some gasket paper and make the dang thing myself.

[OscarTheGrouch]

Sooo despite everything I read about the gasket it isnt a paper gasket its an o ring- reuasable.

 

I swapped parts in less than 20 minutes. I reccommend this fix to anyone- OEM new part 140.00 off amazon from starkville ford

Edited August 4, 2012 by OscarTheGrouch

[awdpath]

I dont know if different states run different warranty laws/regulations or what, but I had my TB replaced at 40k under an emissions warranty. After the replacement of the TB my shifts were much smoother for sure, there were no more pauses. However, when I first start the car sometimes, the first time going through the gears the car shifts from 3k rpms down to about 1.5 and sometimes that feels like a strong shift; usually between 1-2. It seems only to happen when I am light on the throttle just getting going. My old car was a standard and I use to feel a strong shift all the time so I assume it cant be that bad...

 

From the US Warranty Guide (2010 Fusion Owner Information):

 

Page 18

 

EMISSIONS DEFECT WARRANTY COVERAGE

During the warranty coverage period, Ford Motor Company warrants

that:

• your vehicle or engine is designed, built, and equipped to meet - at

the time it is sold - the emissions regulations of the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• your vehicle or engine is free from emission-related defects in

factory-supplied materials or workmanship, which are defects that

could prevent the vehicle or engine from conforming with applicable

EPA regulations.

• you will not be charged for diagnosis, repair, replacement, or

adjustment of parts containing an emissions-related defect. Applicable

parts are listed under

 

What is Covered? on pages 20-21.

The warranty coverage period for:

•Passenger cars, light duty trucks (applies to vehicles up to 8,500

pounds GVWR)

— 8 years or 80,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for catalytic

converters, electronic engine control unit (ECU), transmission control

module (TCM), and any other onboard emissions diagnostic module.

— 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for all other

covered parts.

• Heavy duty vehicles (applies to trucks over 8,500 pounds GVWR up to

19,500 pounds GVWR)

— 5 years or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for all covered

parts.

See WHAT IS COVERED for list of covered parts.

 

 

Page 19

 

 

EMISSIONS PERFORMANCE WARRANTY COVERAGE

Under Emissions Performance Warranty Coverage, Ford Motor Company

will repair, replace, or adjust - with no charge for labor, diagnosis, or parts -

any emissions control device or system, if you meet all of the following

conditions:

• You have maintained and operated your vehicle according to the

instructions on proper care in the Owner Guide, the Scheduled

Maintenance Guide, and this booklet.

• Your vehicle fails to conform, during the warranty coverage period, to

the applicable national EPA standards, as determined by an EPA

approved inspection and maintenance program.

• You are subject to a penalty or sanction under local, state, or federal law

because your vehicle has failed to conform to the emissions standards.

(A penalty or sanction can include being denied the right to use your

vehicle.)

• Your vehicle has not been tampered with, misused, or abused.

The warranty coverage period for:

• Passenger cars, light duty trucks (applies to vehicles up to 8,500

pounds GVWR)

— 8 years or 80,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for catalytic

converter, electronic emission control unit (ECU), transmission control

module (TCM), and any other onboard emissions diagnostic module

— 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for all other

covered parts.

• Heavy duty vehicles (applies to trucks over 8,500 pounds GVWR up to

19,500 pounds GVWR)

— 5 years or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for all covered

parts.

See WHAT IS COVERED for list of covered parts.

Note that the warranty period begins on the

 

Warranty Start Date as

specified on page 2 of this booklet.

[misfusioned]

I too am experiencing random instances where the speed in my 2010 Ford Fusion, that I purchased in June, will immediately drop down to between 5 and 20 mph and the wrench lights up and sometimes the check engine light also and remains until I can get to a place to stop and restart the car. I do not have any other resources for transportation and cannot afford to spend 500 - 600 dollars to repair it, so I emailed the CEO of Ford, Allen Mulally (amulally@ford.com), detailing the many times that I'd seen complaints regarding this issue on several boards and blogs on the web and am curious as to why there has not been a recall. I was contacted by Karen Jones in the Ford executive office in Detroit who, after taking my information, told me that they know nothing about this being an issue and that since the car is no longer under warranty, any repairs are my responsibility.. Karen also told me that they are not responsible for issuing recalls, the government is. I did not believe that to be totally true, so I went to the NHSTA site.to find out how the recall process works. Basically, what it boils down to is that an auto manufacturer can choose to issue a recall when a problem is brought to their attention and if they don't, after the NHSTA completes an investigation of the problem,and determines that it poses a safety hazard, they can recommend a recall to the manufacturer. If the manufacturer does not then issue a recall, the NHSTA can get a court order to mandate the recall. After seeing many complaints that had been filed with the NHSTA, regarding this deceleration issue, I called them. It turns out that the NHTSA is investigating this issue to determine if it warrants a recall and when the Investigation process is initiated, the manufacturer is notified, which means that Ford is aware of this issue and will probably not do anything about it until mandated by the courts.

 

While seeking other remedies that can assist me in getting this issue resolved, I came across the Federal Emissions Warranty issued by the EPA, which covers vehicles manufactured since 1995. Under this warranty, vehicles are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles for any issue that effects emissions and repairs for these issues are supposed to be done for free. This warranty is also referred to as the "hidden" and "secret" warranty, because dealers and service shops are aware of it, but they never advise anyone of it. Information regarding this can be found at http://www.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f09048.pdf and http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt. Since improper throttling effects the fuel mix, (thus, the check engine light) it is directly related to the vehicle emissions and should be covered under this warranty.

 

I will be pursuing resolution under this warranty and will post whether or not I am successful, since it appears that an actual recall may be further down the line than we'd like.

[FusionDiffusion]

Yes, you are correct in that recall can either be initiated by the manufacturer themselves, or they can be forced by NHSTA. Be aware that due to cooperate structure the executive officers might not be fully aware specific dealings with the NHSTA unless she really bothered to check (which is probably not the case for a typical complaint letter from a customer).

 

What is covered by the Federal emissions warranty is listed in the warranty guide that came with your vehicle. I suggest you read that, but it really only covers the PCM, catalytic convertors, and a few key sensors for emissions purposes. While you may be able to argue the throttle body is emissions equipment, Ford's position as stated in the warranty guide is that it is not. You would probably have to argue this in court. I'm not trying to defend Ford here, but just state realities. If you have the time and motivation to pursue a small civil claim against Ford for the cost of the part & repair citing failure rates and the emissions warranty, please go right ahead. That would be a very interesting development. They might want to settle with you right away to keep things quiet.

Edited September 9, 2012 by FusionDiffusion

[drolds1]

I too am experiencing random instances where the speed in my 2010 Ford Fusion, that I purchased in June, will immediately drop down to between 5 and 20 mph and the wrench lights up and sometimes the check engine light also and remains until I can get to a place to stop and restart the car. I do not have any other resources for transportation and cannot afford to spend 500 - 600 dollars to repair it, so I emailed the CEO of Ford, Allen Mulally (amulally@ford.com), detailing the many times that I'd seen complaints regarding this issue on several boards and blogs on the web and am curious as to why there has not been a recall. I was contacted by Karen Jones in the Ford executive office in Detroit who, after taking my information, told me that they know nothing about this being an issue and that since the car is no longer under warranty, any repairs are my responsibility.. Karen also told me that they are not responsible for issuing recalls, the government is. I did not believe that to be totally true, so I went to the NHSTA site.to find out how the recall process works. Basically, what it boils down to is that an auto manufacturer can choose to issue a recall when a problem is brought to their attention and if they don't, after the NHSTA completes an investigation of the problem,and determines that it poses a safety hazard, they can recommend a recall to the manufacturer. If the manufacturer does not then issue a recall, the NHSTA can get a court order to mandate the recall. After seeing many complaints that had been filed with the NHSTA, regarding this deceleration issue, I called them. It turns out that the NHTSA is investigating this issue to determine if it warrants a recall and when the Investigation process is initiated, the manufacturer is notified, which means that Ford is aware of this issue and will probably not do anything about it until mandated by the courts.

 

While seeking other remedies that can assist me in getting this issue resolved, I came across the Federal Emissions Warranty issued by the EPA, which covers vehicles manufactured since 1995. Under this warranty, vehicles are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles for any issue that effects emissions and repairs for these issues are supposed to be done for free. This warranty is also referred to as the "hidden" and "secret" warranty, because dealers and service shops are aware of it, but they never advise anyone of it. Information regarding this can be found at http://www.epa.gov/o...s/420f09048.pdf and http://www.epa.gov/o...er/warr95fs.txt. Since improper throttling effects the fuel mix, (thus, the check engine light) it is directly related to the vehicle emissions and should be covered under this warranty.

 

I will be pursuing resolution under this warranty and will post whether or not I am successful, since it appears that an actual recall may be further down the line than we'd like.

 

How is the federal emissions warranty a secret warranty if it's in the warranty guide provided with your car? As FusionDiffusion points out, the warranty that you cited only covers certain parts for 8 years/80,000 miles. The TB is not one of those parts. The rest is only covered for 2 years or 24K miles. See this post

[mav3rick]

I had my Throttle Body replaced under an emissions warranty this past spring. I took it to the dealer, they diagnosed, they said it was covered under that warranty and took care of it. I was nervous because I had 40k, over the 36k/3 year warranty and I never purchased anything extra. I am happy that they took care of it and I can ask my dealer which warranty specifically if you wish?

 

-Ted

[misfusioned]

How is the federal emissions warranty a secret warranty if it's in the warranty guide provided with your car? As FusionDiffusion points out, the warranty that you cited only covers certain parts for 8 years/80,000 miles. The TB is not one of those parts. The rest is only covered for 2 years or 24K miles. See this post

 

First of all that is not my terminology for it and let's be realistic, how many people actually read an entire manual. Most probably use it as a reference guide. I have found several instances where the TB has been replaced under this warranty and to me, at this point, it is worth a try. I am tired of having a car that is virtually fully unsuable to me.

[akirby]

First of all that is not my terminology for it and let's be realistic, how many people actually read an entire manual. Most probably use it as a reference guide. I have found several instances where the TB has been replaced under this warranty and to me, at this point, it is worth a try. I am tired of having a car that is virtually fully unsuable to me.

 

It seems clear that Ford would not authorize a warranty repair on something they specifically do not cover. It's possible the dealer covered it themselves or it was coverd by an extended warranty. It's certainly worth a try, but if it's a $150 part that can be replaced in 10 minutes is it really worth the trouble?

 

And you did call it a secret warranty. How else is Ford supposed to let owners know what is covered by the waranty other than the warranty booklet that comes with the car? Are they supposed to put a big sign on each car with all of the warranty details?

 

You are implying that the TB is covered by this "secret warranty" and that they only cover it when the customer "catches" them in the coverup and that is most certainly not true.

[drolds1]

First of all that is not my terminology for it and let's be realistic, how many people actually read an entire manual. Most probably use it as a reference guide. I have found several instances where the TB has been replaced under this warranty and to me, at this point, it is worth a try. I am tired of having a car that is virtually fully unsuable to me.

 

Whose terminology is it then? You posted a link to it on the web a copy is in your glovebox. You choice not to read the guide does not render it secret.

 

I don't know how many people actually read their warranty guide. Do you? If you have any statistics, please post them.

[misfusioned]

It seems clear that Ford would not authorize a warranty repair on something they specifically do not cover. It's possible the dealer covered it themselves or it was coverd by an extended warranty. It's certainly worth a try, but if it's a $150 part that can be replaced in 10 minutes is it really worth the trouble?

 

And you did call it a secret warranty. How else is Ford supposed to let owners know what is covered by the waranty other than the warranty booklet that comes with the car? Are they supposed to put a big sign on each car with all of the warranty details?

 

You are implying that the TB is covered by this "secret warranty" and that they only cover it when the customer "catches" them in the coverup and that is most certainly not true.

 

$150.00? I have been quoted total repair cost cost from Ford service centers of 450 - 575.

[misfusioned]

I'm done here. The problem is that Ford is not correcting a serious safety issue with the 2010 Ford Fusion and the principle of the whole thing, that leaves100's of people with a car that is dangerous to drive and trying to find some other avenue to get it repaired due to the cost of repairing something that needs to be covered under a recall. Plain and simple, My priority is in trying not to get myself and/or others killed by my car and not arguing with anyone on this board.

[FusionDiffusion]

$150.00? I have been quoted total repair cost cost from Ford service centers of 450 - 575.

 

They're probably charging you full retail price for the part ($338) and adding an hour or two of $100/hr labor. Sounds like a rip-off so I would definitely be shopping at a different dealer. That or else you're getting the female surcharge added on.

 

We're not trying to argue with you, but rather explain that your expectations seem unreasonable (based on your opinion of how things should work rather than printed definitions). We all want a safe car that isn't going to stall in traffic, but just because a very complicated piece of mechanical engineering has one part fail occasionally doesn't mean Ford should automatically cover it under all circumstances. That's for the government to decide. The government is doing their job by accepting complaints, and you have to do your job as a consumer by submitting them to the correct authority (NHSTA). To point fingers and blame is only going to make you feel more frustrated rather than doing something about the problem.

 

I would highly suggest you consider buying an extended warranty on your next vehicle if you don't want to pay for replacement parts out-of-pocket when the factory warranty expires.

[akirby]

$150.00? I have been quoted total repair cost cost from Ford service centers of 450 - 575.

 

Oscar reported getting one from Amazon for $140 and someone on the Ford Edge board got on for $150 and installed it in 10 minutes. Of course it will be a lot more than that if you let the dealer repair it.

[SteveMiller]

I had the same problem with the TB on my 10 fusion i just went to the ford dealer bought one for $200 and change went home swapped them out in less the 15 mins, i found a video on youtube that explains how to swap the TB out for a new one, its so easy and saves u hundreds of dollars, i also replaced my air filter while i was under there. Driving with the new one now i feel a significant difference in how it drives plus no more wrench light. I found cheaper ones online through ebay but couldnt wait for it to come in the mail plus im not sure what i would even get i prefer buying things in person