[joebrez]

So, we have a 2015, that we've been really happy with, except maybe for the climate controlled seats. Which leads me to my question/rant. 3 week ago, we noticed that in addition to the seats not being very warm, the seat backs don't get very cool. I made an appointment (recalls etc).

Now, I dropped the car off on May 30th and even let them know about TSB 15-0027 for the seat heat which was 100% applicable to our year and build date. I get a call a week later telling me the car's done and went thru the run down of what was done. I ask about the climate seats and was told "Tech tested the "module" and they worked fine". After a few heated back and forths with the Service Writer asking him to have a tech sit in the **** car and "push the f*cking button" Does your seat get hot/cold? After a week of no call backs, I called the Service Manager who looked into the problem. I got a all back saying they were able to replicate the problem. I said "so did you order the parts for the TSB?" He said no, since the TSB is only for HEAT, they are deeming it "Not applicable".

Now, the car has been there 3 weeks, they still can't figure out what's wrong, yet haven't performed the TSB of a KNOWN fix for the seats...

This is confusing to me. Wouldn't you perform the TSB, then continue the diagnosis?

So, I guess the saving grace is I have a loaner...

 

[joebrez]

Sorry for the rant, it's the wife's car and I'm just tired of this already...

 

[Fauster]

I'm not defending your dealership, but I did work in the automotive industry with Ford for a few years and have a working knowledge of how quality issues are resolved.

A TSB is issued when the root cause and corrective action for a specific issue is resolved. It is possible that for the TSB related to heated seats, the root cause was found to be an error with the "module" that was referenced by the technician, and the corrective action is to replace that "module". If the tech tested the module and found it to be operating correctly, then the TSB is not applicable to your vehicle. There can be similar issues that are totally unrelated to an existing TSB.

You stated that the seats do not get very warm on the heat setting and that they do not get very cool on the cool setting. The question is: is the operation correct but not meeting your expectation, or is the operation incorrect? If you got a call stating that they were able to replicate the problem, it sounds like the latter. Now the techs need to identify the root cause and compete corrective action, which may lead to a completely new TSB.

 

[joebrez]

I'm not defending your dealership, but I did work in the automotive industry with Ford for a few years and have a working knowledge of how quality issues are resolved.

A TSB is issued when the root cause and corrective action for a specific issue is resolved. It is possible that for the TSB related to heated seats, the root cause was found to be an error with the "module" that was referenced by the technician, and the corrective action is to replace that "module". If the tech tested the module and found it to be operating correctly, then the TSB is not applicable to your vehicle. There can be similar issues that are totally unrelated to an existing TSB.

You stated that the seats do not get very warm on the heat setting and that they do not get very cool on the cool setting. The question is: is the operation correct but not meeting your expectation, or is the operation incorrect? If you got a call stating that they were able to replicate the problem, it sounds like the latter. Now the techs need to identify the root cause and compete corrective action, which may lead to a completely new TSB.

I too was a technician for a while before changing career paths. This will help understand my frustration:
"FRONT CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEATS DO NOT GET HOT OR WARM
UP QUICKLY - BUILT ON OR BEFORE 2/20/2015 TSB 15-0027

LINCOLN:
2015 MKC

ISSUE
Some 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles built on or before 2/20/2015 may exhibit a climate controlled seat which does not get
hot or warm up quickly.

ACTION
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Using the Ford Integrated Diagnostic Service (IDS) or equivalent scan tool, perform a network test. Do the front seat
climate control module (SCME) and front display interface module (FDIM) pass a network test?
a. Yes - proceed to Step 2.
b. No - this article does not apply. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-10.

2. Perform a self-test of the SCME. Are any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present?
a. Yes - this article does not apply. Refer to WSM, Section 501-10.
b. No - proceed to Step 3.

3. Is the vehicle built on or before 1/21/2015?
a. Yes - proceed to Step 5.
b. No - proceed to Step 4.

4. Is the vehicle built on 1/22/2015 and through 2/20/2015?
a. Yes - proceed to Step 6.
b. No - this article does not apply. Refer to WSM, Section 501-10 for normal diagnosis."

The seats literally can take up to 45 minutes to get warm and when they do, it might be a a little better than body temp. Our Infiniti and Nissan's COOK us on the highest setting in a matter of minutes. Our Build date is August of 2014.

 

[midnite cruiser]

Stick with it joebrez. It ain't right.

 

[joebrez]

Update: After walking thru the TSB with the Service Director LINE by LINE (he admitted that he doesn't understand why they didn't think the TSB applies to my car), he went to talk to the two Techs and came to the conclusion that I WAS RIGHT and it absolutely applies.

So after ordering all the parts, the tech ripped my leather passenger seat cover. OMG. This is the Service Appointment that won't end.

Now, almost 5 weeks later, they ordered a replacement seat cover...

 

[joebrez]

After 37 days, I finally got the car back. Seat TSB was performed and since the tech ripped the leather (zipper), I have new leather also. All happy and relieved... Only for the A/C to turn off on me 4 times on the way home. GRRRR

 

[jprski]

After 37 days, I finally got the car back. Seat TSB was performed and since the tech ripped the leather (zipper), I have new leather also. All happy and relieved... Only for the A/C to turn off on me 4 times on the way home. GRRRR

Curious did all this happen at a stand alone Lincoln Dealer or a Ford/Lincoln dealer?

 

[Faller]

Did the A/C problem happened before?

 

[joebrez]

@jprski It was a Ford/Lincoln Dealer.
@Faller - No, this is a new development.