Ford will ship Broncos without chips controlling non-safety critical features

[mhblueyz]

So let’s assume they move forward with releasing those that are “in production” hell…. How are they going to get thousands of Broncos delivered with the next roadblock…..trucker shortage and railcar delays? You may resolve one short term problem just to move to the next one.

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[Chippewa-Pin]

I don't see an issue with any mfg taking this approach. I agree it would put a burden on the dealers to get the work performed once chips do come in, but it's not like everyone's chips are going to come in on one day!

 

[BasSas]

Ford is in the business of making money, not vehicles.

Ford is in the business of making money by making vehicles…the rest is secondary.

 

[CentralFLBronco]

Thought this was interesting. It was an old article from last year (2021).

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/com...ping-unchipped-vehicles-to-dealers/ar-AAMpjyj

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Will be interesting to see what trail capabilities are considered non-safety items.

This where having an actual mechanical transfer case lever, handbrake lever, manual disconnects, etc. comes in handy. This and for repairability remotely on the trail.

 

[ArkBronco3667]

Why do I get the feeling that this “plan” is just an effort to keep the assembly line running and those of us stuck on ice mountain will continue to wait?

 

[xpathf1nderx]

I dont see the chip shortage situation getting any better, even after the US bolsters it's domestic chip manufacturing. The sanctions limit many of the precious metals/materials for chip production.

 

[North7]

I hear you, I do and I understand your reply. However we’re making assumptions here as we don’t know what shortcuts Ford is considering and the long term impacts on performance & reliability. My warning is directed more at Ford’s lack of dedication to the brand and the fact that consumers are paying for an incomplete item. If Ford is delivering partial vehicles then let’s provide them with partial payment, with no additional fees when the missing chips arrive. Also, within a year? That’s an long time boys and girls, with ZERO faith Ford can keep they’re word on time. We’re also assuming that everything will function within necessary requirements.

This post is a good lead-in for...

Electronics 101 Primer
It is not the chips that are actually missing in any shipped/delayed vehicles. Chips are simply one element, or one component, inside of an electronic assembly, sometimes called a module, device or unit. These units are held up at the supplier awaiting the actual chips to arrive so the units can be completed and tested. Only then are the units shipped to Ford.

Dealer's will not be receiving "Chips", dealers will be receiving "Complete Modules" which contain the missing chips, for example, here is a Heated Seat Control Module for the Mustang.

An example of the actual Chips, they are the small black devices, on the green circuit board, in the open module below (three examples circled in red):

Here is an example of an acutal F-150 module being replaced. Ford ICE Mountain workers or Dealers are doing nothing more than plugging in full assemblies, similar to this.

 

[Nateandapril]

This is a great point. It’s not a singular chip that will be missing, it’s an entire module. Understanding that point it makes me think the most common places to reduce those will be in the auto start modules, heated seat and steering wheel modules. Maybe the 110v inverter

 

[M4Madness]

Many of you guys are reading too much into it. Just because it says "drivable and sellable" doesn't mean you have to drive it. WOULD YOU RATHER IT SIT AT ICE MOUNTAIN OR AT YOUR HOME UNTIL IT IS FIXED??? Myself, even if I didn't plan to drive it until it is completed, I'd rather it be at my house than in some mouse-infested, dryrot-inducing parking lot. If the modules aren't available, they're not available. You choose where you want the vehicle to be parked until they are. Nothing more, nothing less. At least you have the benefit of driving it if you want to while you wait.

 

[Nateandapril]

The reason is that the dealers will need this to be an easy install. The less invasive, the better

 

[Rebel Bronc]

Would we have to take our vehicle back to the same dealership for this completion? I would love my 7spd Badlands with Mid package this summer, and I’d drive it without heated seats. But I wouldn’t want to drive to Iowa for the follow-up work.

 

[Nateandapril]

Many of you guys are reading too much into it. Just because it says "drivable and sellable" doesn't mean you have to drive it. WOULD YOU RATHER IT SIT AT ICE MOUNTAIN OR AT YOUR HOME UNTIL IT IS FIXED??? Myself, if I don't plan to drive it until it is completed, I'd rather it be at my house than in some mouse-infested, dryrot-inducing parking lot. If the modules aren't available, they're not available. You choose where you want the vehicle to be parked until they are. Nothing more, nothing less. At least you have the benefit of driving it if you want to while you wait.

this is a valid point. I’m happy to drive the vehicle without some of those extras while we wait. For each buyer their perspective is different. For me there top off, doors off stereo on light trail ride is not affected by auto start modules or heated seats

 

[NC_Pinz]

Many of you guys are reading too much into it. Just because it says "drivable and sellable" doesn't mean you have to drive it. WOULD YOU RATHER IT SIT AT ICE MOUNTAIN OR AT YOUR HOME UNTIL IT IS FIXED??? Myself, if I didn't plan to drive it until it is completed, I'd rather it be at my house than in some mouse-infested, dryrot-inducing parking lot. If the modules aren't available, they're not available. You choose where you want the vehicle to be parked until they are. Nothing more, nothing less. At least you have the benefit of driving it if you want to while you wait.

Solid point. Whatever is missing from the ice mountain Broncos, it does not effect drivability. It is possible it is a safety item though. If the former, I say ship them as soon as you can get a truck. Most would rather have access to their vehicle and drive it with a follow up module install at the dealer.

 

[Jawbox]

This is a great point. It’s not a singular chip that will be missing, it’s an entire module. Understanding that point it makes me think the most common places to reduce those will be in the auto start modules, heated seat and steering wheel modules. Maybe the 110v inverter

The devil is in the details. An I okay buying a stripped down Bronco sooner. Yes. I bought a Basesquash.

Am I okay paying extra for features that don't work? Not really. If I had ordered the lux package, I wouldn't be happy paying if it didn't work in full. I'd want some kind of credit or arrangement there.

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