First Crown Vic

[CrownVixen]

Yes I will be looking for center caps.

Well normally I am very thorough on purchasing a car. Sadly a few things slipped past me on this one. Going to blame it on excitement.

So found fuel leak on tank, brake lights out, except third. I already tested it all. New MFS and bulbs, checked wiring, and BOO. Fuses etc. And check engine light popped on two days after pickup. Code is P240 bank 1.

I took it back to the dealer and they said they would fix it. We shall see what happens.

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[sxcpotatoes]

Don't know if the brake lights qualify, but Ford just had a recall on "03+ Panthers for the LCM (Lighting Control Module, usually takes out the headlights), free replacement parts AND labour if '03+ and under 250k.

[CrownVixen]

Oh really? I don't believe the LCM controls the rears, but none the less I'll still get that done.

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[CrownVixen]

Got my baby back today, all fixed.

Now to start the slow expensive process of building.



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[miamibob]

What did they have to fix??

[CrownVixen]

Brake lights work again, apparently it was a broken wire. Had a fuel leak near the fill tube, that's fixed.

I had check engine light for my passenger side cat. Doesn't look like they replaced anything but the light is gone.

Was a very shitty dealer I went through, but my warranty will pay for it. Just going to bring it to my mechanic.

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[miamibob]

Hopefully they just didn't "reset" the CEL. You'll know soon enough....

[sxcpotatoes]

They may have finally fixed the LCM in '05+ and they should replace it anyway if it's all '03+ even if it's not wonky. I found where I wrote it down, tell the Ford Dealer Service Department, it's "Customer Satisfaction Program 14N01."

Couple of other things.

1. '05 was the first year of Drive-by-wire. Which means your throttle is electronic, there is no cable or physical linkage. Some people inherently do not trust them, or blame 'unintended acceleration' on them, if improperly shielded or any sort of cross-voltage, it could cause the car to lose or gain acceleration with no driver input. Probably not a big concern, just a mention.

2. Any Crown Vic/Grand Marquis from about '02+ has a vehicle "black box." Again, this may not be of any concern, but do know that your car is recording your speed, wheel/steering direction, throttle and brake application and if your seat belt is buckled or not. Cops like to pull the data in the event of an accident and you CAN be prosecuted for the results. Just a heads up. Again, probably not a concern, but something you AREN'T told about.

[CrownVixen]

Most likely the just cleared the CEL.

Ok. I will get the LCM taken care of.

Drive by write is no worries to me, but can this "black box" be removed. I don't like that haha.

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[SVT98t]

Welcome to the Party!!

-ryan s.

[p71towny]

Most likely the just cleared the CEL.

Ok. I will get the LCM taken care of.

Drive by write is no worries to me, but can this "black box" be removed. I don't like that haha.

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Sure, just make sure to cut the Fuel line and let it burn to the ground before they can get anything.

[sxcpotatoes]

I think I saw a thread elsewhere about a guy that removed the "black box" on the first year Crown Vic that came with it. I forget what colour the box was, but IIRC it was up in above the passenger footwell. The guy said that removing the box didn't affect anything except the wipers had to be rewired/fixed as that connection was taken out by removing the box. You can probably find it if you google creatively enough, but absence of the box may bring you more heat from the cops in the event of an accident if they go looking for the data. Of course you could play dumb and say "I bought the car this way" as long as they never find this thread.

If you're electrically proficient or have the wiring diagrams, you could probably take it out and just hard-wire all the necessary connections. Most General Motors vehicles have had the black boxes since 2000, and even earlier in Cadillacs IIRC.