tuflehundon

I have unfortunately dealt with unscrupulous shops myself. My wife knows not to OK anything without asking 1st. They love talking to the wives.

A agree with the others that you may be SOL. If you can tell the new computer has been installed, then you may not be able to get your money back. Depends on the parts sales people. Some of them check everything, some check nothing.

xMUDKINGx

Sorry to hear you got hosed man. ECU's are not in my area of operation so I can't offer much help other than slap the old one in and see if it works. If it in deed does work I would slap that computer on the counter at that shop with the receipt and demand your money back.....or if you wanted to get back at them, pour some good ole salt water right in the computer and tell them to fix it under warranty. You will for sure get your money out of it then if they refuse a refund of your hard earned money

madolive3

If you can the the old ECU back and it works, Sue em for making an unnecesary repair.
I am not sure if the ecu is vin specific, in other words if you can be sure the ecu they give you back is from your truck.
Your wife okd it, but that was because they told her it was defective.

Mulestang

Did they install a new or used ECU? I'd be looking at mine real hard to ensure they DID put in a new/different one. A coworker years back had a shady shop soak her for over $1500 for a computer replacement when her car started running poorly. Another coworker looked at her car, at it was clear the computer had never been replaced. They just fixed something minor to make it run, and scammed her for big bucks!

neuxstone

They said new and they bought it from the local Ford dealership.
The box they gave me mine in was a genuine Ford Parts box.
They said that same dealer had to flash it. In the process we had to buy new chip keys.
I have the original work order with the invoice and it says "customer wants plugs changed" however now I am faced with making sure there's nothing wrong with the old computer so I can change it back. I'm willing to pay for the plug change cause that's all I wanted in the first place.
I'm not out for revenge or the like. I'm on fixed income and are looking for a reasonable way to test it so I can take it back for my cash.
I don't want to go to court with egg on my face.
Anybody out there know if I can just change it out before I spend a bunch of money with a Ford dealership?
What concerns me is the anti theft chip keys if that's true?
Any Ford mechanics out there that can vouch?

screamineagle

First of all, sorry to hear your out all this money. Shady shops suck and it's usually the decent hard working folks that get the shaft in these circumstances. Secondly, I'm no attorney but, I don't think a law exists where a shop replaces a part (whether needed or not) and the customer willingly pays the bill and has any course of action due to them. Unless they charged you for a part they didn't replace I'd say your out.

Did the shop give you the original key back? That's the only way I know of to check your old comp on your own. Good luck and I hope you get some reimbursement but I wouldn't bet on it.

neuxstone

Even if I prove theirs nothing wrong with the original computer?

screamineagle

Anything is worth a shot, nothing to lose in trying. Maybe see if the shop will buy back the new comp. Its a shot in the dark though, I just don't see a course of legal action. Maybe file a case through small claims? It doesn't cost much ($75.00) in my town. You might get lucky?

neuxstone

Hmmm. You're probably right.
My intention was small claims.
Am I wishful thinking that if I proved theres nothing wrong with the original computer; the law will side with the shop?
I'm under the impression there are consumer protection laws too...

neuxstone

I guess I'll have to apologize. With all the drama of the story I failed to be "goal oriented",so I would like to do so by asking my original questions.
I'm not looking for legal advice though I thank all for giving the scenario to help with my ultimate decision on what I do after my original fact finding mission.

Can the computer be bench tested?

Can I install it and have it reflashed (keys or no keys) or do I need to take it to a bonefide Ford dealer?

Please only answer one of the above questions...

Thanks all who have participated so far...