All Part Groups Upgrade Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I am looking for more horsepower.. what can I do? pulleys, chips, air filter ???????
A: Chips are mostly the quickest route... the pulleys are not noticable and the air filter will make it SOUND faster but not actually run faster..... Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Dimming Happens always Always
Q: I purchased this vehicle in September 1992. Whenever I have placed the gearshift into Reverse, the voltage meter drops and the lights go dim. This happens both during a cold and warm start. At first, I thought it was the battery, so I had that replaced approximately one year after it started. But the problem persists to this day. What is causing this? Is this commom among Ford products? Is/was there a recall for this problem?
A: You may want to check out the back up lights for a short circut.
Disconnect your back up lights and see if the problem still exists.
Q: 1) Law enforcement vehicle with V-8 which specifies 87 octane gasoline. On acceleration
there's a lot of knocking as in low octane etc.
I have tried a higher octane, but the noise is still there. Should I put in an octane boost additive or is there another alternate which isn't too costly?
2)The back end appears to be too light - when I go over rumble strips or uneven roadways, the back end slides all over the place. Exiting toll plazas, there isn't enough traction to accelerate away at any speed. I have tried putting sandbags on/above the rear axle for additional traction, but not much luck. Any suggestions?
3) Was there a design flaw with the windshield wipers? I have have replaced the wipers several times, but on the driver's side, the top quarter of the blade appears to wipe less cleanly than the other parts.
A: 1) check with dealer for tsb on ecm change. also test operation with spout connector removed. that should change timing a couple of degrees and offset the ping.
2) make sure over 1/2 tank of gas, tire pressure to spec and tread ok. also check with dealer for recall on rear suspension. shocks ok? might install posi, since most police cv's didnt have it.
3) have you changed the whole blade or just refills? if refills, change whole blade, if whole blade, check wiper arm spring for enough tension to hold blade on windshield.
Q: I have a 96 Police Interceptor, and want to know what stats (hp / torque / etc.) it has.
In addition, I would like to know how I could get my hands on an owner's manual for it. Thanks.
A: Ford Motor Company can provide that for you.. Show up armed with the vin number on a piece of paper.... Ed
All Part Groups Vibration When starting Not applicable
Q: 96 Crown Victoria LX. No major problems. about 83,000 miles on it. Maintenace schedule generally up to date. When the car is in park and you press the accelarator, there is no problem. when you put the car in gear, reverse or drive. you get a delay (sort of). then it works OK. Its kind of like a studdering effect for about 1-2 seconds. I just had the oil changed. Checked all the fluid levels. It feels like something is loose because the whole car shakes then it goes away. after about 10 mph it goes away. I thought it might be water in the gas tank, but I haven't filled up two days ago. always at the same station. Is it the powertrain system or fuel injection
A: Have someone check the plug wires,it sounds like you have a engine miss,very common problem on that year of vechile.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Happens always Always
Q: My horn and cruise control gave out at the same time, is this a blown fuse? If so, what is the fuse # for these steering wheel mounted items?
A: A. On my '89 Town Car, the same thing
happened. My cigar lighter went dead as well.
It was a 15 amp fuse, but I
don't remember the number. I found it
in the owners manual. If you have your
owner's manual, it should direct you
in the right direction. My owner's manual claimed that the cruise control was a different
fuse, but one 15 amp fuse cured all three
symptoms. Hope this helps.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other When driving When warm
Q: At different speeds, my car will buck several times. Sometimes, the engine races, and once in a while it makes a high pitched sound. Several mechanics thought it might be electrical.
I replaced the spark plug wires and it seem to fix it for while but it has started again. It does this once in awhile, not every day. Any suggestions?
A: Remove and clean the idle air control motor and channel....... then disconnect the negative cable of battery for 1 minute and enjoy your car again....... Ed
Windows / Glass Malfunction Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I heard a kinda clunk sound from the back right rear window today, and looked inside of the window area. Seems that a cable to the motor came apart?
I don't know what to do or how to go about to fix this problem. Help!
A: I would have your local dealership check it out.
It may have been recalled for it.
Also they have the tools neccesary to remove the inner door panel without damage to gain acces to it.
Q: There's a gasoline odor, and the Check Engine light comes on when using the air conditioning. The car has no other symptoms.
A: The check engine light on means that the computer is setting codes and are therefore retrivable by you to help indicate the problem......
The gas leak if left unattended will solve the entire problem..... with a major roadside fire.......... Ed
All Part Groups Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I have attempted to locate the computer (ECM) in my car. Some say it's behind the kick panel on the passenger side and the others say it's located behind the kick panel on the driver side.
Can you tell me where I can find it??
1992 Ford Crown Vic police pkg.
Thx
A: Look for a wiring harness on the passenger side of the car that leads to the right side of the dashboard - up underneath it - it should lead you to a rectangular aluminum box. That's your computer.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: My drivers side electric door lock will not work. What should I do to fix? thanks, salian1@aol.com
A: If you take the switch out and use a jumper wire across the terminals of the plug..... if it works now, get a new switch.
If not, probably needs a motor.... Ed
Drive Train / Driveline Malfunction When driving Always
Q: I put posi rear 373 gears in my '86 Ford Crown Victoria with a 5.0 ho motor (from an 89 Mustang.) Ever since then, when I do 70 mph, the middle of the car vibrates, and its not the tires or anything.
Do you think it's the yoke... or the driveshaft? Please explain this to me, and if it is the yoke or the drive train, will I break anything? Please let me know. Thank you so much. Greg
A: If everything but the gears are original equipment, and the problem is new, look to the setup in the gears...... Ed
Drive Train / Driveline Malfunction When driving Always
Q: Our 1986 Ford LTD Crown Vic has been having intermittent and worsening problems shifting from first to second gear for about three months. It starts off great in first gear, then when shifting into second it seems to fall into neutral for about 1-5 seconds and then (finally) drops into second. We haven't noticed any other shifting/transmission problems.
The car has almost 100,000 miles and has been taken good care of... regular maintenance, etc. Mostly highway miles up here in Wyoming/Colorado. It did sit in the garage and wasn't driven much for about 12 years (1988-1996). It has the 302cid 5-liter fuel-injected V8.
Is the transmission on its way out or is there something else that could be wrong?
Thanks a bunch!
Jeff Kappeler
kappeler@uwyo.edu
A: Have the TV linkage checked for bushing wear or missing, if missing could burn up trans
Q: Engine will stall when car is shifted into drive or reverse.
A: I've seen this quite a bit. Replace the throttle positioning sensor. Also note that if you have the VV (Variable Venturi) carburator, the diaphrams at the back of the carb probably need to be replaced, they will flood the carb if they have a hole in them. Luckily both of these fixes are very inexpensive (about 5 minutes for the TPS, about 20 for the carb diaphrams).
All Part Groups Other When starting Not applicable
Q: When starting the car it goes into a high idle.
It stays that way until it comes to a really high idle and you accelerate to help bring it down to normal. Sometimes when you accelerate it lowers the idle but most of the time it doesn't. It takes a long time before you are able to bring the idle to a normal sound.
A: Ah yes.. the variable Venturi 'nightmare' carburetor..... you'll need lots of information, and a bucket of patience to tackle this..... I can't help you over the net on this one... Ed
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