Blaine B.

My Father took the van in a third time, and although the dealer was unable to replicate the issue, they went ahead and replaced the entire shift mechanism. Time will tell if the issue arises, but I can tell that the gear shift moves a lot smoother than it did previously. Hopefully this problem will not persist any more.

Yes, that is because all Transit Connects are shipped with windows so that they can classify them as an import vehicle. Commercial vehicles are taxed extra at port entry. I am not sure how many windows they are shipped with, though. Sliding doors, quarter panels, and rear doors? Or just some? I am not sure what the "minimum" amount of glass is to make it a passenger vehicle and not a commercial vehicle. They are also shipped from overseas with the rear seats, which are later stripped out at the same time when they remove the glass.

Ok, so this does not reply to the previous body style.

Is there a specific procedure for "adjusting" the brake shift interlock? Is this even possible? Late last year, my Father's 2013 XLT Wagon developed an issue where the gear shift seemed to be a bit stiff. The vehicle was taken into Ford for a check-up and they kept it overnight, but were not able to replicate the issue. Fast forward to this spring, my Father claimed that he was unable to get the key out of the ignition one night. I came by the next day and was able to pull it right now. I have recently experienced difficulty with getting the van to shift out of park. To the point where you occasionally will NOT be able to fully depress the button on the gear shift, even when depressing the brake. I have also most recently experienced an inability to get the key out of the ignition, last night. I noticed that if I push forward on the gear shift lever, I was able to remove the key. Before taking the van back in to Ford so that they won't be able to replicate the issue, is there anything that I can adjust myself? I am assuming that all of these issues are related to the interlock. Or something else? Any other ideas? Has anyone else experienced a similar issue with their Transit Connect? Thanks!

What is your model year? My Father's 2013 does not have any rear power point.

NO PROBLEM.

I am reporting back to say that last week, I finally got the new fuel filler pocket and door installed. Let me tell you - it is pretty difficult to get the door inside of the pocket. It is very difficult to spread the pocket apart so that the door's "hinge" can slide in enough to lock into the two holes provided. I did this indoors in the warmth because I did not want the new assembly cracking like the old one did, when I attempted to salvage the pocket by just removing the door itself. I did two coats of primer on both sides and two coats of black on both sides. Looks just about perfect. I might polish it up a bit when the weather is warmer. When you go to install the lock assembly, be sure to install it correctly. It is possible to install it 180 degrees off, and then you might damage your fuel door again when you attempt to remove the lock assembly. I was sure to have the key handy before I inserted the lock, just to make sure I was installing it correctly. And finally, you hook up the sliding door stopper mechanism. This snaps into the fuel pocket. Then you shove the entire assembly into the hole for the fuel filler. The fuel pocket itself is made out of two materials - some of it is a flexible rubbery substance, where as the part where the fuel door "hinge" attaches is a very hard plastic. The flexible rubbery substance can be stretched around the fuel filler neck for a tight fit. Lastly, install the two push pins to hold the fuel pocket in, and you're done. You'll probably have to press the fuel pocket pretty hard, otherwise the door will not fit flush. You'll know when it is seated because it will finally "snap" in to place. I do not have any photos to share, but, it is just about as good as new. Not bad for around $80 not including paint, which I already had anyways. Wonder what the body shop would have charged..... Hope this helps some future Transit Connect guys. Who knows, this may break again. If you just remove the entire assembly, you can do that too. You'll just have to modify that door stopper so that it allows you to slide the passenger door fully open, because it requires that the fuel door be present in order to "unlock" the stopper and allow the door to slide back all of the way. LASTLY, the diagram shows a lengthy drainage tube coming off of the fuel filler pocket. In all actuality, there is just a short nipple. There is no lengthy hose or tube as pictured in the diagram.

Bad news - I received the pocket today, but it is the WRONG one! It does not match item #7 in the drawing. This one has the hinge on the opposite side. I am not sure what it is for. It is Ford Part# 9L3Z-9927936-B According to this Amazon listing, it is for an F150! http://www.amazon.com/Ford-9L3Z-9927936-B-HOUSING/dp/B0031B1YWI

Part number for gas filler door (reference number 2): 2T1Z61405A26AA Part number for side panel filler pocket (reference number 7): 2T1Z6127936B

Compliments of ebay

Compliments of FordParts.com

Ok. Accessing the fuel door from the inside of the vehicle is not necessary. There are two plastic push fasteners with phillips screw heads on them. You can back them out, but ultimately pry the center "pin" out of the lower fastener. There are two of these which retain the plastic filler piece around the fuel fill tube. The fuel cap tether is also secured by one of these two plastic fasteners. Then you simply yank it out. The fuel door is attached to this black filler piece. Be careful not to yank TOO hard as the mechanism for stopping the sliding door from coming back when the fuel door is opened, is also fastened to this piece. Overall, the plastic in this area is absolute GARBAGE and will crack on you. I was doing this on a 40 degree day, and the plastic just kept cracking whenever I applied the most gentle prying force. I have already ordered the fuel door, but will also need to order one of these filler pieces as well.

They aren't swapping the structural panel. Just the window. The window is not structural, and they simply replace the windows with painted metal panels. Read about it here: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/09/u-s-customs-calls-fords-importing-transit-connect-as-passenger-vehicle-manipulation-of-chicken-tax-tariff/

Your van originally had windows in it when it entered the US. If you notice, the solid panels that cover the window openings are not solid with the body. They are a separate piece. On US made Ford, GM, and Chrysler commercial vans, you will notice that they never had the cutout. The Turkish made Ford Transit Connect had the holes punched out already because they came with windows when they were imported, to avoid the commercial vehicle import tax. The windows and seats are removed once they are on US soil.

Yes, this one was built in Turkey also. I believe that they all are. This one is an XLT wagon with all windows and rear seats, but did you know they all arrive as passenger vans with windows and seats to avoid a steeper import tax on commercial vehicles? When they get to the US, they remove the seats and windows and install panels for those customers that wish for a commercial vehicle.