I was called about a 2006 FGT that is coming up for sale . It has 9,000+ miles on the odometer but my gut feeling is either he did not ever detail this thing or the odometer was tampered with or disconnected at one time ? Is there a way to tell? Its appears great deal and the carfax history checks out. Thanks for any insight.
Looking at another FGT How to tell if odometer is tampered with?
- Thread starter RaceDeck
- Start date
Sinovac
GT Owner
I'm not that techy on electronics ( no speedo cable I am guessing) . is the PCM the black box under the seat? and what exactly could they disconnect, is there a seal they break. If its not recorded how would the dealer or mechanic tell?
Sinovac
GT Owner
Sinovac
GT Owner
The pcm is in the engine compartment near the driver side, side scoop. I would have thought the pcm would register something if the vehicle was moving with no corresponding movement of the odometer, but Kendall is indicating no.
Sinovac
GT Owner
The pcm is a PITA to remove. The harnass connection is easily accessible from below. You could pull it to see if the pins have been tampered with, but I'm not sure this does anything for you.
We'll look at that closely to see if any wires are unplugged or look having been messed with... as well as most all other visible parts that may have unusual wear...hopefully all is good 
You would think that Ford would have made it so that this is not even possible on a car of this caliber.
You would think that Ford would have made it so that this is not even possible on a car of this caliber.
Sinovac
GT Owner
Kendall's comment surprised me so I looked into it and found that changing a digital odometer on a new car is very easy with an "odometer correction tool". It is apparently just plug and play. That really stinks. The manufacturers have no problem using the black box to spy on drivers, yet they make it fairly simple for someone to tamper with the odometer.
Jorgen, I wouldn't bother checking the harness since it is much easier to tamper with a digital odometer than I thought. Learn something new every day.
Jorgen, I wouldn't bother checking the harness since it is much easier to tamper with a digital odometer than I thought. Learn something new every day.
Last edited:
Sinovac
GT Owner
shelbyelite
PERMANENTLY BANNED
- May 10, 2007
- 1
Mileage is stored in the black POLLAK box that is the control unit for the awesome gauges that the GTs are so blessed with. But, if the speed sensor is bypassed or INOP, the control unit is not receiving any info to instruct it to increase the mileage. So, answer to your question, YES..., mileage could be tampered with. If it were a super low mile car, it would be easier to detect if mileage was inaccurate, but with it being a 9k mile car, it will be hard to determine. If it hasn't been tracked or raced, a very experienced GT mechanic could tell by inspecting brake wear, and overall condition, but still gonna be a tough thing to prove, especially if all carfax and Autocheck data is consistent.
Jorgen, I don't know where the car is but noticed you are in SLC. Both Ryan (GT Expert) and I will be in SLC briefly tomorrow to pick up a car. Basically, we are driving up tomorrow with our trailer, spending the night in Ogden, and driving back home Saturday. If we could make a quick stop and help, we'd be glad to.
Jorgen - you should jump on this offer! If Kendall can inspect it for you, consider yourself very lucky!
That explains it pretty well and what I was worried about, since the car fax checked out on the increases over the years. All he had to do was unplug it at random times- thanks for the input
Kendall that is really nice of you to offer,, the car is actually in Wyoming at his home there. I'm going to bring my mechanic with me to go over the car, he is very good .. but not a GT 'expert - I think the feedback I received will be helpful when we go over it... Maybe I' m being a bit over cautious.
BlackICE
GT Owner
Could also buy a new one that starts at zero, or build a circuit to move the mileage wherever your want. Of course doing either of those things are ILLEGAL! You only change the odometer if you keep papers with the car saying it was changed and at what mileage. How is that enforced?
cobrajeff
GT Owner
Jorgen -
If you send me an e-mail with the last four digits of the VIN, I'll look and see if I have any records on it. You would be surprised how many wrecked GTs have clean CARFAXs!
regards,
Jeff
If you send me an e-mail with the last four digits of the VIN, I'll look and see if I have any records on it. You would be surprised how many wrecked GTs have clean CARFAXs!
regards,
Jeff
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Ppi
RaceDeck there is a lot of good information presented here by a number of very competent owners who know the ins-and-outs of what to look for in buying a FGT. I am sure at this point Shelby has seen hundreds of GT's pass through his shop and Kendall too has first hand experience on a sizeable number of GT's as well.
As you are a Forum member since August 2005 you have undoubtedly seen many posts on getting a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) from someone who knows the car. There are many "experts" that will do this for a fee (normally nominal considering the investment dollars at risk) or the frequent shout-out to another Forum member in the general area. Although I am sure you have a great mechanic, the FGT is a bit different than most cars with some unique characteristics. IMO a PPI from an informed FGT owner/mechanic is very much worth the effort.
As a side note with only 85 posts since 2005, try to join our Forum conversations more frequently...:biggrin
RaceDeck there is a lot of good information presented here by a number of very competent owners who know the ins-and-outs of what to look for in buying a FGT. I am sure at this point Shelby has seen hundreds of GT's pass through his shop and Kendall too has first hand experience on a sizeable number of GT's as well.
As you are a Forum member since August 2005 you have undoubtedly seen many posts on getting a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) from someone who knows the car. There are many "experts" that will do this for a fee (normally nominal considering the investment dollars at risk) or the frequent shout-out to another Forum member in the general area. Although I am sure you have a great mechanic, the FGT is a bit different than most cars with some unique characteristics. IMO a PPI from an informed FGT owner/mechanic is very much worth the effort.
As a side note with only 85 posts since 2005, try to join our Forum conversations more frequently...:biggrin
Thanks and will do. Also your right on jumping in here more often
of all the cars I have and have had, my FGT is by far my favorite. Mine was the first in Utah and used for a bunch of Larry Millers photo promo's for the inaugural Utah Fast Pass.. Then he bought like 6-7 of them