Struggling to get a computer-controlled car repaired

Question:

I know this is not an antique vehicle question, but as a longtime subscriber with nowhere else to turn, I thought I’d try. Eight months ago (yes, that’s right), I took my 1997 Lincoln Town Car to the dealership regarding an intermittent no-start condition.

At first they said that it was the passive anti-theft (PAT) module not communicating with the dash cluster, so they replaced that. No fix.

Then they said the dash cluster needed to be rebuilt. No fix. Then they said they could no longer get parts for the car, and the dash cluster rebuilder had gone out of business, etc., etc. Finally, the other day they called and wanted their loaner car back. They said they cannot fix the car because no parts are available from the factory, and what they would need (they are now talking about the PCM power train control module) is not available in the aftermarket either.

Then they said all parts are VIN specific. I spoke with the head mechanic at length. I said of all of the tens of thousands of 1997 Lincolns out there you mean to tell me that when they break down, you have to throw them away?

I want my car fixed. I said there must be some way to bypass the PAT system. Of course, the head mechanic agreed, but said he couldn’t fix it, as any patch job would not be a “factory authorized repair.” What can I do?

There is more I could tell you but I think you get the picture.

Answer:

While your car is not an antique the questions you raise do pertain to the old car hobby in some important ways.

Your experience amply illustrates the peril that faces car enthusiasts who in the future will seek to restore and maintain computer-controlled vehicles.

Some of the parts essential to the vehicle’s operation will clearly not be available new and will be very difficult to reproduce. In a similar vein, it will be increasingly difficult to find technicians with sufficient expertise to service the electronic components of computer controlled vehicles. As your story also illustrates, it can be quite difficult to find good technicians for these cars way before they’re old.

One obvious solution for anyone who has a computer-controlled vehicle that they intend to keep for a long time is to buy computers, sensors and other similar parts while they’re still available.

Of course, I do realize that many of these items are quite expensive and that alone makes it difficult if not impossible for many people to stock up on parts that may go bad in the future. Absent a shelf in your workshop with new parts, your only other practical option is to seek out and buy good used ones.

In your particular case, however, before buying anything I highly recommend seeking out a new repair facility. Based on the sequence of events that you’ve outlined, that is an important first step for you.