Roush Not Having Much Luck with the '05 Saleen!?

[wsbrigham]

I was going to start this thread by saying, "Your not going to believe this....", but you just might.

Initially, I wasn't too fond of the new saleen style, it just didn't stand-out. But over the months they have started to look a little better. Then when when I was at Ford the other day, I saw a White '05 with white wheels and it looked pretty sharp. So, I bought it. I got the NA and order the Saleen SC separately which, after installation, will have saved me around $6-$7K and I will have the 3yr/36k warranty. So, this is a preet good deal. The only problem is the car doesn't run!!

I bought the car last Friday. After driving it for about 2 hrs the check engine light came on. I followed the troubleshooting suggestions in the user's manual with no luck. I took the car to the dealership the next morning, and after a few hours, had the problem resolved; supposedly. They had stated theat the error code indicated the engine was running lean, but it was bogus and the problem shouldn't happen again. So, I left the dealership and within about an hour the engine light came on again and then the car started to misfire. I took the car back to the dealership that same day and they stated they couldn't get to the car until Monday. Monday rolls around, and they inform me that the PCM was bad and they had to order another one and my car would be ready Thursday(yesterday). Well, I picked-up the car and before I got to my house (about 20 min of driving) the engine light came on again and the car began to misfire again. Then I was just going to run up the street about 2 miles to grab a bite to eat, and the car wouldn't initially start. I should have heeded that warning, but I managed to get the car started and went to eat. When attempting to start my car at the retaurant, it wouldn't start again. So, at 8PM I had to call a tow truck to pick-up the car and take it to the dealership. I got a call from the tow service after they took the car to the dealer and they stated the car actually started. However, when I spoke to the service department this morning, they stated the car wouldn't start. Man, this is tiring! My salesman and service department are treating me really well, but it sure doesn't take the pain away from my car not working.

Anyhow, when I was picking-up my car yesterday, I spoke with a couple and another person who both had their GT's being serviced for the same problem as mine, but not to the same extent. Their engine lights keep tuinring on, and the gas guages and others are suddenly reading incorrectly. For example, with a full tank of gas, thier guage will suddenly drop to empty and warn the driver they have hardly any gas left.....

So, has anyone heard of this problem occuring with other Mustangs/GT's/Saleens?

Thanks!!

 

[Saleen Mike]

How long did you own/drive the car before adding the SC?

It sounds like the computer needs to be re-flashed for the "SC tune".

 

[S281SC#08]

yeah all i can say man is i am sorry for all you suffering hope everything works out fine with it. hey look on the bright side i bet your car looks great.

 

[nrcollectibles]

If I'm reading this right, you haven't installed the SC yet. When you say that they got you another PCM in 3 days, it sounds like they just ordered a GT PCM from Ford. They need to pull your original PCM, send it back to Saleen to be reflashed, and then reinstalled. I doubt this could have happened in just 3 days.

 

[wsbrigham]

If I'm reading this right, you haven't installed the SC yet. When you say that they got you another PCM in 3 days, it sounds like they just ordered a GT PCM from Ford. They need to pull your original PCM, send it back to Saleen to be reflashed, and then reinstalled. I doubt this could have happened in just 3 days.

Your right, I have yet to isntall the SC.

The service department stated that the PCM doesn't have a Saleen Flash, it has a stock GT flash on the N/A Saleens. That information is correct because I just got off the phone with Mark at Saleen and he confirmed that the PCM is a stock GT program.

 

[2000xp8]

Sounds like you need a refund, or a lemon law job. I can only imagine how dissappointed you are. I'd expect problems to get worse after a supercharger install. And i wasn't aware that you could add an SC yourself and still keep the warranty.

 

[wsbrigham]

Sounds like you need a refund, or a lemon law job. I can only imagine how dissappointed you are. I'd expect problems to get worse after a supercharger install. And i wasn't aware that you could add an SC yourself and still keep the warranty.

I'm extremely disappointed, but at the same time (and for the first time in my life) I'm willing to see this problem throughamnit:

Anyhow, if the SC is installed by the dealer/certified Saleen mechanic, you'll get the 3 yr/36,000 mi. warranty that the SC's come with. If this route is taken, you could possibly get an '05 N/A and purchase and install the SC for around 50K.....

 

[Saleen Mike]

OK, sorry about that, I read your first post a little too fast, and missed that the install has not begun yet.

I still think there is something wrong with the PCM (with the Ford "Flash"), and that is what is the root cause of the problem.

If you install the SC in the very near future, then give the PCM the "Saleen Flash", I would think you would be in good shape, as that "re-flash" should take car of the programming needed for your car.

If there is going to be some delay before the SC goes on I would get the OE re-flash asap and see where you are with things.

 

[Friedchicken]

It certainly sounds like a fuel management issue, however, it seems the techs are pulling/clearing the codes, and not doing much else. False codes is like having a fever with the flu. Yes you can deal with the fever, but you aren't fixing the flu.

IMO, I think they are being less than through in looking at this issue and need to look deeper than guessing at what parts to swap out. And I can also understand that its hard to nail down an issue unless it hits you in the face.

I hope you keep the car. It's going to be a sweet car when you get these issues resolved.

 

[kpribble@terrib]

If I'm reading this right, you haven't installed the SC yet. When you say that they got you another PCM in 3 days, it sounds like they just ordered a GT PCM from Ford. They need to pull your original PCM, send it back to Saleen to be reflashed, and then reinstalled. I doubt this could have happened in just 3 days.

This is definitely the right thing to do - you really need to get the orginal Saleen Flash redone and then isolate the issue from there!!

 

[wsbrigham]

The problems have been identified and resolved!!!!

There were two separate and unrelated problems causing my issues. First, the cheesy "Silencer" passive alram system I had installed at Ford was faulty. This is the reason for my car suddenly not starting at random times. So, that's been chucked. The stock alarm system should be adequate. The car is rarely parked out side w/o me having the car in sight, otherwise it's in the garage. Secondly, the harmonic balancer that Saleen installs had come loose, way loose. That is the cause of the random misfiring problem. Now that the balancer has been torqued to specifications, the car runs great.

With the problems being solved and the break-in miles chalked-up, I have to say I really like the way the car handles, pulls, and sounds. First of all, I can't express in words how much better the car handles compared to my '01 SC and even the '99 Saleen Cobra Speedster. Wow! Secondly, I thought I would be quite bummed in a NA car until I got the blower, but the car pulls pretty well. As a matter of fact, it out-pulls the Cobra up to about 100 MPH before the Cobra starts to out-pull. Also, the sound of the '05 has quite a similarity to the Cobra, though a little toned-down. It's hard to explain the sound, but there is quitre a difference in the tone of a 2v and 4v. The 3v seems to almost bridge the gap.

Anyhow, I'm sure you can tell I happy to have my car working. I just wanted to share my personal feelings when comparing the various 'stangs.

 

[Saleen Mike]

Very glad to hear everything worked out, and the car is as you had hoped it would be!

Being in Albq, NM you should try to meet up with us Saleen owners in the Rocky Mountain region when we do a bunch of stuff

A few dates to think about:
March (TBA) - Winterfest - you can leave the car at home for this one

June 16-19 Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup

Labor Day Weekend - Track time & more at Pueblo Motorsports Park

 

[2000xp8]

Loose balancer huh, how friggin careless is that, could of destroyed the whole engine.

 

[wsbrigham]

Very glad to hear everything worked out, and the car is as you had hoped it would be!

Being in Albq, NM you should try to meet up with us Saleen owners in the Rocky Mountain region when we do a bunch of stuff

A few dates to think about:
March (TBA) - Winterfest - you can leave the car at home for this one

June 16-19 Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup

Labor Day Weekend - Track time & more at Pueblo Motorsports Park

I'd really like to meet-up w/ other owners/enthusiasts. My wife and I are always up for a road trip. If there is a mailing list for events, would you mind adding my e-mail address? [email protected]
If there isn't a mailing list, where can I go to check-out upcoming events in the Rocky Mountain region?

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Mstng2]

If your interested in Utah Stuff I can get you info on that area, Also Mike has a Saleen Yahoo group mailing list for the Rocky Mountain Area, mostly Colorado. Lots of fun stuff if you like to travel around a bit.

 

[S281SC#08]

hey wsbrigham how many people do you know in new mexico with Saleens we should try to all meet some time i do not know if you remember but i live in Clovis that is just east of Alb.

 

[Saleen Mike]

We (the SCOA) are looking into something possibly at Sandia MSP in the Alb. NM area or similar.

Roger, Regional Director for the SCOA-Rocky Mountain Region is the one who set up the "Yahoo group" to help communicate with the "local" Saleen owners.

 

[S281SC#08]

hey Saleen Mike hopefully soon i can join the SCOA. do you have any more info on the event in Alb you where talking about i would love to come, that would make it my first event to go to with the Saleen also how can i get added to the yahoo group.

 

[wsbrigham]

If your interested in Utah Stuff I can get you info on that area, Also Mike has a Saleen Yahoo group mailing list for the Rocky Mountain Area, mostly Colorado. Lots of fun stuff if you like to travel around a bit.

I'd be very interested in the Utah events as well. Please add my e-mail to the list [email protected]

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[wsbrigham]

hey wsbrigham how many people do you know in new mexico with Saleens we should try to all meet some time i do not know if you remember but i live in Clovis that is just east of Alb.

Hey Josh!

I personally know 4 people with Saleens (all highly midified, though). My friend Mark that is the Saleen salesman at ford knows just about everyone and has just joined the forum. I believe is goes by "98 Saleen Cobra". Try dropping him a line.

As far as getting the owners together, I'm all for that! Maybe we shold try to organize something through this forum and any others that you might be familiar with.