Need to Rant

[00stangv6lr]

Ok, I need to start by saying I must have gotten a lemon. Everything that can go wrong with my car will. Shortly after purchasing the car, the worthless 3650 started acting up. Went in to get the TSB applied. While fixing it I guess a bunch of other bearings were out and gears were binding so they fixed them. Well fast forward 6 weeks. The extremely hard shifts are still there so i install my MGW again. This probably made the problem worse. Now if I shift at over 3000 rpms, the tranny kicks itself out of gear as soon as I press the clutch in, you cant even hold it in gear. Last week the speedometer stopped working, but all the other guages still work. And I dont think the speedo motor is bad because it still moves, it just shows the wrong speed and moves randomly. Yesterday, I unlocked my car noticed that now whenever I hit the unlock button a thumping noise plays over all the speakers even if the volume is at the minimum. Clutch has a slight chatter also after have a dealer replace it. It has almost 2000 miles on it. Sorry to vent but Im ready to drive the car off a cliff. Its the worst car I have ever owned. All these problems and it just passed the 36,000 mile factory warranty. Way to go ford.

 

[BurningRubber]

It sucks getting a car with issues. My Jeep was like that when I first bought it, but its been rock solid ever since.

The 3650 issues unfortunatly are very common, and your not the first to have a problem with it even after its been in for the TSB.

As far as the speedo, its electronically cotrolled. Is it possible it was damaged/disconnected in any way when they were working on the trans?

Was the clutch broken in properly? Throwout bearing replaced? Two other common issues that can come back to haunt an install. I also see you have an aftermarket quadrant and adjuster... everything set correct with those?

The speaker noise could be a ground wire issue. I had close to the same problem in a 95 GT I looked at, and thats what a mechanic diagnosed it as. My parents Explorer also does the same. Electrical gremlins are no fun, but it may not be a big issue.


Ive had nothing but good miles from mine. I bought it at 92k and it now has 128k on it, zero broken parts under a very abusive driver.

Generally these cars are super reliable, but lemons do pop up every now and then. Sorry to hear about the problems.

If you do not want to stick it out and see what is to come for the future, maybe you should trade it in and get another.

 

[rabidscoobie]

I would say that the clutch clatter maybe improper break-in,within the first 500miles at least not do any launches,keep it under 3k when shifter...that would for sure cause chatter.I dunno much about the MGW shifter but if it has stops..try setting them all the way out and see if it still kicks outta gear,something simple and easy to try at least.

 

[00stangv6lr]

Yah, I broke the clutch in properly. I never have taken the car to the track or even spun the tires on purpose for that matter. Thats why it upsets me to have so many problems. Yah, I had everything replaced when the tranny was done also. I told them i wanted no problems so the input bearing t/o bearing and all that was replaced along with the clutch. I made sure they resurfaced the flywheel. Its a stock replacement clutch. I rarely go over 3k rpms, just noticed it a few times when merging into rush hour traffic. Kinda sucks. Does anyone else have a problem with the padding above your head inside the car rattling?

 

[rabidscoobie]

Is your stereo aftermarket?After I got my Mach I installed my Kenwood and had to get a new harness to integrate the HU with the 460 and somehow I hooked up the illumination wire and that caused the exact same problem as your saying with the noise when unlocking the car.Other than that Id say a bad ground somewhere.How long ago was the tranny rebuilt?

 

[00stangv6lr]

Yah, the radio is stock, i haven't messed with anything like that. Could it just be the battery going bad maybe that would cause the speedo and the unlocking noise both? I tested the battery and the meter said 12.75 volts, so I dont know.

 

[rabidscoobie]

Yah, the radio is stock, i haven't messed with anything like that. Could it just be the battery going bad maybe that would cause the speedo and the unlocking noise both? I tested the battery and the meter said 12.75 volts, so I dont know.

Honestly Now on my 01 gt I had a diode go bad in the altenator and caused my car to run like crap,backfire,stall all sorts of wierd crap,testing is free so its worth checking,have a local auto store check it.

 

[03TrueBlue]

I know the padding rattling problem. Drives me nuts. I always crank the stereo. Seems like its coming from the dome light. I push on it and it goes away. I will be taking it down and putting some sound deadener or something up there to quiet it down. Sucks about those tranny issues. Sounds to me like something went wrong with the rebuild.

 

[00stangv6lr]

Yah, I think im going to just go around and try to get everything fixed again. Ill get the alternator and all that checked, its a fun car but not when the problems persist.

 

[rabidscoobie]

Yah, I think im going to just go around and try to get everything fixed again. Ill get the alternator and all that checked, its a fun car but not when the problems persist.

Your probs dont seem to serious.Sounds like something was botched on the tranny rebuild.I would try to get it all fixed.

 

[BurningRubber]

Ill make you feel better about it, heres my issue list I had with my Jeep after purchasing...


Waterpump (x2)
Radiator and hoses
Brakes (rear had a line leak, both front calipers, pads, and disks, master cylinder)
IAC valve
Crank position center
ECU took a dump
Gone through a few battery terminal (constantly corroding)
Battery
Brakes in for recall (rotors)
Airbags in for recall
Power steering pump
Power steering box took a dump, leaking Exxon Valdez amounts of power steering fluid

The majority of that happened in a fairly close time period. Some stuff was later on, and through all that BS is how I learned QUICK how to work on vehicles... I was 15 when I got it, 20 now and through it and my Mustang ive learned a whole lot.

Now it needs...

Driver side motor mount
E-brake fixed, doesnt work
Rear brakes are shot (these two are connected)
Headliner (I just took it out)

Even after that I wont get rid of it. It has 174k on it and runs flawlessly and I would literally drive it ANYWHERE it would take me.

Maybe that helps ease some pain, lol.

 

[Mustang5L5]

It's hit or miss with cars. You either get one that's put together very well...or one with issues.


Not to make you feel bad, but my '03 GT just hit 60,000 miles. Only issue since new was the factory horn died on me and i had to replace the two horns. That's about it. Best car ive ever owned. Whoever buys it from me (if ever ) is gonna get a nice reliable car

 

[BurningRubber]

It's hit or miss with cars. You either get one that's put together very well...or one with issues.


Not to make you feel bad, but my '03 GT just hit 60,000 miles. Only issue since new was the factory horn died on me and i had to replace the two horns. That's about it. Best car ive ever owned. Whoever buys it from me (if ever ) is gonna get a nice reliable car

I havnt had any problems so to speak of either. Just replacing the battery once, and ive had it since 93k and now its at 128k. I know lots of other Stangers personally that have had almost zero trouble, and no major trouble with their 99-04's.


Maybe you should take that last line in your post as a sign...