03/07/2015

I bought my 2010 Fusion Hybrid with 54,000 miles on it in January 2015 from Carl's Buick in Stuart. The wrench light began coming on when I was on the highway. There was no loss of power so I just thought it was an indicator reminding me of the 60,000 mile service. I took the car to my mechanic in June to have to the 60,000 mile service performed. The wrench light came on again the first time I drove on the highway to West Palm. I had checked a couple of Fusion forums online and found a Bulletin for the Hybrid that described my situation. The bulletin called for a software update the fit the manufacture date of my car.
I took the car to Advantage Ford in Stuart on 6/27 to see how I could get the software update performed. I got there around 8:30 am. I spoke to Dan, the customer service manager, and showed him the bulletin and said I wanted to have the software update performed. He checked my vin for recalls and said there weren't any outstanding recalls. He then told me that it would take about 2 - 3 hours to diagnose the issue and it couldn't be done on Saturday because they didn't have anyone working that could do the diagnosis. I asked if they could just check the computer for the error code. He said they couldn't, it wouldn't be there. They would have to recreate the issue. I didn't want to argue and said I would have to figure out a time to come back.
I was driving home and thought I would stop at my mechanic, Advanced Auto Repair in Port St Lucie. I told Frank my issue and asked if they could pull the code from the computer. He walked outside and plugged his computer in and found the code P0A7C in the history. That is the error code mentioned in the service Bulletin. I took pictures of their computer showing the error code, Don't you Love camera phones?
I drove back to Ford and talked to Dan and showed him the error code on the computer. We then went and talked to Ruben the Head service writer. Ruben said they would do the software update for the $125 diagnostic fee. I thought it should be covered under the 100,000 mile Hybrid warranty and he said no. We went back and forth for a while, so I just gave in, I just wanted to get the problem solved. Lo and behold there was someone there that could do the software update. I paid the bill and left. I just drove the car on the highway on Thursday night and the wrench light has not come on so far.
I'm glad I got the issue fixed and I'm glad I went in with the error code. They would have charged me at least two hours of diagnostic time which would have been $250 when I pulled the error code for free with my mechanic. I probably could have stopped at Advanced Auto and had them pull the error code for free as well. Good luck if you use any dealer, my experience has always been that they will try to perform as much work as possible since the service writers get paid based on the dollar amount they write. I know someone who was a Dealer service writer.
Advanced Auto Repair in Port St Lucie is one of the Best mechanics I've found in the area.

Mark L.

Source: YELP

31/01/2014

Awesome mechanic, the owner made me feel safe and secure upon completing the services we needed. His knowledge and precision on repairs superseded my expectation. His workmanship is outstanding.
Stop by and see what he is perfecting and preparing to sell to the highest bidder, 1974 Barracuda, sweet.

Mario B.

Source: YELP