Well not quite, but close!
Back story:
A good 'ole boy customer of the shop- I've known him for several years, done small projects for him before I was spinning wrenches, helped him carry my partner's father- his close friend (and mine) to his grave and attended his 50th wedding anniversary. I can't say we go way back, but we have history.
Since I've been spinning wrenches he brings me the things he can't do. Well last year he brought his wife's 2001 Taurus out- wasn't charging. I diagnosed a bad alternator and he authorized the replacement. Shortly after the trans went toes up so he parked it and bought a 2003 Taurus- same basic car with the same basic 3.0 U engine code. Well the other day the alt light came on so he took the alt off and brought it in to O'Reilly- they told him the diodes were bad. So then he called the dealer and asked if the one from the 2001 would work- they told him "yes", they're the same. So he installed it and the alternator light was still on- that's when he brought it over wanting to know if I'd cover the alt under warranty- I said would, it was less than 1 year old. While he was there I checked some basic things- like the Maxi fuse and was it actually not charging? Well turns out it was... Even under load. I showed him the amp clamp readings- it was putting out 40 amps and holding 13.8 volts. I didn't have time to mess with it at that point, so I sent him on his way and told him I'd print some schematics and read up, then give him a call. I printed off 2001 Schematics (my mistake) and reviewed them. Today I had him drop it off for me to double check every thing- told him I'd replace it free of charge if needed (even though it wasn't the car I originally installed it on) and ordered one just in case. So anyway I start chasing wires at the plug to make sure that there is power where need be only to find out the schematics don't reflect what I'm looking at. It was then that it hit me- this isn't an 01, it is an 03. Back to the computer I go to print off the correct schematics. So the 01 diagram shows the charge wire plus 2 others. The 03 shows the charge wire plus 3 others- and the pcm is included in the circuit. Hmmm. Better look at the parts lookup to make sure the other alternator will work- and it is a different number.
I call the 'old boy and give him the run down and price to repair... After some joking back and forth, he authorized it. I ordered the correct number alt up and when it showed up, I started the install- I had the old one out already. It was just then that his son called- see he had been at the house when I called for authorization of the repair. Him, the mom and 'ole boy had chatted about this and 'ole boy thought it was odd because "Ford" said they were the same. So boy wonder (about 40 years old) calls up 2 different O'Reilly stores and gets the same answer- that they're the same. During the phone conversation he all but straight accused me of trying to screw his parents several different times and said something being able to buy an alt for 150.00 online... I tried to tell him the back story but he wasn't listening. I was towards the end of my rope and told him that I'd reinstall the old alt and let him deal with it... He almost accepted but lit into me again. Finally I invited him over to look up the schematics and part numbers with me and with his own eyes- that he accepted.
I must say that I haven't been so riled up in a LONG time! After the call, I lost my temper for a little while. I've made my living being as honest as I know how! I wouldn't take anyone, especially this guy for a nickle even if it meant losing my house! And this pecker head has the gall to accuse me? The thing that gets me is that all his "knowledge" is based on other people's say so. If you're skeptical, fine- come to me and and ask questions, even pointed ones face to face, not this crud accusing my over the phone!
I guess we'll see what tomorrow morning brings... When we're through I'm going to tell him that wasn't at all appreciated and not to come back to my shop ever again.
Back story:
A good 'ole boy customer of the shop- I've known him for several years, done small projects for him before I was spinning wrenches, helped him carry my partner's father- his close friend (and mine) to his grave and attended his 50th wedding anniversary. I can't say we go way back, but we have history.
Since I've been spinning wrenches he brings me the things he can't do. Well last year he brought his wife's 2001 Taurus out- wasn't charging. I diagnosed a bad alternator and he authorized the replacement. Shortly after the trans went toes up so he parked it and bought a 2003 Taurus- same basic car with the same basic 3.0 U engine code. Well the other day the alt light came on so he took the alt off and brought it in to O'Reilly- they told him the diodes were bad. So then he called the dealer and asked if the one from the 2001 would work- they told him "yes", they're the same. So he installed it and the alternator light was still on- that's when he brought it over wanting to know if I'd cover the alt under warranty- I said would, it was less than 1 year old. While he was there I checked some basic things- like the Maxi fuse and was it actually not charging? Well turns out it was... Even under load. I showed him the amp clamp readings- it was putting out 40 amps and holding 13.8 volts. I didn't have time to mess with it at that point, so I sent him on his way and told him I'd print some schematics and read up, then give him a call. I printed off 2001 Schematics (my mistake) and reviewed them. Today I had him drop it off for me to double check every thing- told him I'd replace it free of charge if needed (even though it wasn't the car I originally installed it on) and ordered one just in case. So anyway I start chasing wires at the plug to make sure that there is power where need be only to find out the schematics don't reflect what I'm looking at. It was then that it hit me- this isn't an 01, it is an 03. Back to the computer I go to print off the correct schematics. So the 01 diagram shows the charge wire plus 2 others. The 03 shows the charge wire plus 3 others- and the pcm is included in the circuit. Hmmm. Better look at the parts lookup to make sure the other alternator will work- and it is a different number.
I call the 'old boy and give him the run down and price to repair... After some joking back and forth, he authorized it. I ordered the correct number alt up and when it showed up, I started the install- I had the old one out already. It was just then that his son called- see he had been at the house when I called for authorization of the repair. Him, the mom and 'ole boy had chatted about this and 'ole boy thought it was odd because "Ford" said they were the same. So boy wonder (about 40 years old) calls up 2 different O'Reilly stores and gets the same answer- that they're the same. During the phone conversation he all but straight accused me of trying to screw his parents several different times and said something being able to buy an alt for 150.00 online... I tried to tell him the back story but he wasn't listening. I was towards the end of my rope and told him that I'd reinstall the old alt and let him deal with it... He almost accepted but lit into me again. Finally I invited him over to look up the schematics and part numbers with me and with his own eyes- that he accepted.
I must say that I haven't been so riled up in a LONG time! After the call, I lost my temper for a little while. I've made my living being as honest as I know how! I wouldn't take anyone, especially this guy for a nickle even if it meant losing my house! And this pecker head has the gall to accuse me? The thing that gets me is that all his "knowledge" is based on other people's say so. If you're skeptical, fine- come to me and and ask questions, even pointed ones face to face, not this crud accusing my over the phone!
I guess we'll see what tomorrow morning brings... When we're through I'm going to tell him that wasn't at all appreciated and not to come back to my shop ever again.
Last edited:
