VicCrownVic's 1989 Colony Park - Large Marge

[VicCrownVic]

Was going to drive Marge to work today, but I think I need a new ignition switch. Turned the key on this morning and everything (lights and such) came on like normal, but when I went to crank everything went off. Turned to acc and everything came on. Back to on and crank and everything was off, then back to acc and everything was off. I ended up taking The Scab to work since Marge is blocking the '98.

[friskyfrankie]

Was going to drive Marge to work today, but I think I need a new ignition switch. Turned the key on this morning and everything (lights and such) came on like normal, but when I went to crank everything went off. Turned to acc and everything came on. Back to on and crank and everything was off, then back to acc and everything was off. I ended up taking The Scab to work since Marge is blocking the '98.

Sounds like it unless you have a wiring short. I'd surely try that first after a quick visual inspection. Although, I have seen bad switches that actually looked ok due to defects within the switch so a swap wouldn't hurt.

[jaywish]

Also bad battery or poor cables or possibly bad starter could do that as well. If you ave another person... Turn on headlights, look at headlights when someone turns the key to start. If headlights dim while key is in start it is likely battery, cables etc.

[friskyfrankie]

Also bad battery or poor cables or possibly bad starter could do that as well. If you ave another person... Turn on headlights, look at headlights when someone turns the key to start. If headlights dim while key is in start it is likely battery, cables etc.

Yep - always look for the easy stuff first.

[VicCrownVic]

Thanks for the suggestions. I likely will not get back to this until tomorrow. Possibly later tonight if there's enough daylight left.
I did check the battey voltage when I got home and that was 12.6V. Although the light from the interior lights was barely visible. So the suggestions that it may not be the ignition switch could prove correct.

I took the steering column shroud off and found the ignition switch is held on with security torx and of course my set has been missing for a while. So while I'm out this evening I'll pick up another set (pretty sure my set got left in Dad's car a few years ago.) Initial visual of what I could see of the ignition switch looked fine. It's also not the original switch as it has an F2 part number. Luckily I already have an '89 EVTM, so that could come in handy.

[VicCrownVic]

Right on mangs. Unless there is an intermittent short, I think the battery cable ends were the issue. I did pickup an ignition switch so I have a spare now.

While working from home on lunch break today, I pulled the ignition switch and found that there was light melt on the connector on one of the terminals and slight hard to detect discoloration on the switch. that terminal appeared to back out a little when I plugged the switch back in, so I did a bit of finagling to make sure that terminal was making a good connection. Tried with the old switch and still no start and no lights. Swapped the new switch in and the problem was still not resolved. Got out my battery terminal cleaner and wire brush terminal cleaning tool, then made sure the cables were as tight as I could get them with the goofy ends that are on there. After that Marge roared to life. I swapped the old switch back on and she started right up with that one as well. Swapped the new one back on and will keep the old one as the spare. I'll attempt the first trip to work with Marge tomorrow.

[friskyfrankie]

How "funky" was the connector? You'd want to check that out thoroughly as well!

[VicCrownVic]

More fun with the tailgate this evening. Decided to swap window motors with the left rear motor from The Scab since the tailgate window motor seemed to be completely dead. I was able to get the tailgate window to go down with the motor from The Scab, but since I hadn't put the lever for the key rod back on right last time, things got stuck and I couldn't get it to go back up. Somehow the tailgate safety was engaged at the in-door switch so the switch would only move in the down direction. Unplugged the motor and reversed the polarity at the connector to get the window back up from the in-door switch. It's getting too late and dark so I'll mess with it more tomorrow.

[kishy]

Oh, sweet, another local wagon now. We should do some sort of get-together (says the guy who failed to commit to something last year).

[VicCrownVic]

This one was originally from Star Lincoln Mercury of Southfield. I'm not sure if Stidman was the original owner, but the history that I'm aware of is this car was traded to Lincolnmania for a Mark VII. (Derek had that Mark VII at some point.) From Lincolnmania Marge went to Brown Muscle (intended to be a car for his mom I think I read.) From Brown Muscle, Marge next went to Grand1. Grand1 flew out east and drove Marge back here a few years ago. Of course the next stop for Marge is now with me.

The ride to and from work went well today. Since I plan on driving this car again this weekend I'll be leaving Marge in front of the '98 and drive her to work again when I'm back in the office on Friday. Juggling 3 cars in my driveway is a bit of a pain, so the '98 will remain blocked in until next week. One of the things that I wanted to accomplish this year was to start reducing the miles being put on the '98. Marge is certainly capable of making that happen. I bought the '98 in February 2020 with 63k miles and now it's at 110k miles in August 2023. Around 47k miles in 3.5 years.

During my cleaning last week I did find that there are spots in the right side quarter panel that I can see outside from inside. Including the bottom of the spare wheel well being quite rough. There is also a spot in the right rear corner, and I'm sure under the left rear storage area. I also found (although I'm pretty sure I found this when visiting Grand1 a couple years ago) that the driver side floor pan has quite the hole, but the heavy duty floor mat helps a bit.

Despite the rot, I'm still having a blast and glad to have another wagon after 20 years without one.

[VicCrownVic]

Driving through Lapeer yesterday evening, took a side street to avoid the stupid main street where nobody seems to know how to drive. Anyway, I see in my rearview mirror a late 2000's Explorer or Expedition make a U-turn. After visually confirming it was not a cop pulling a Uey to come after me, I figured they must be lost or missed the next side street. He followed me for about a half mile to the next light that turned red as I pulled up. All the while I wasn't thinking anything of the vehicle behind me, nothing suspicious just someone who needs to go back the direction they came from. I was going straight and he pulled into the left lane next to me.

"Hey fella, you wouldn't be interested in selling that would ya?"
I laughed with a huge grin, "I just bought it."
"What year is that?"
"It's an '89, they only made this body for 2 more years."
"Those are hard to find."
Light turned green he made his left and I went straight.

[87gtVIC]

Nice. Gotta make you feel good!

[Tiggie]

The wagons definitely bring out the comments from the general public. I usually get questions/comments about the rear jump seats (which neither of mine have). Does Marge have the jump seats?

[VicCrownVic]

Sure does. My '88 Country Squire and moms '87 Country Squire both had the jump seats too.

Stole the passenger power seat switch bracket from The Ice Car and mounted the switch assembly properly. Whoever swapped the cloth front seats forgot to get that bracket and mount the switch assembly. Since The Ice Car was converted from manual to power by me, the bracket was bolted in rather than the factory rivets which makes swapping the bracket easier. I also traded the stock dome light cover for the clear cover that was in The Ice Car.

When I tried to get the tailgate lock working last week I had it working while taken apart, but when I put it together it wasn't working again. Today, while showing dad around the car, it seems the lock is working now. So my initial thought of it just needed lube and to be worked may have been correct, but it must have just needed longer for the lube to seep into everything.

[VicCrownVic]

Hmm, tailgate lock worked a second time when I locked it while the tailgate was flipped down (which is how it worked the time before). Tried it again later and it took a few tries before the lock would actually lock. Definitely some adjustment needed I think, but I don't think I'll mess with it until next weekend at the earliest. The tailgate also needs a little help on the driver side as it catches and will not flip down unless I lift it over the catch 1/8 inch or maybe less.

Put some soft white LEDs in the cluster (didn't want it too bright) in the backlight sockets. A bit on the blue side due to the filter caps, but it was a bit easier to read tonight and not obnoxiously bright. I might revisit these lights, perhaps try some yellow LEDs to try to get something closer to the stock green glow but brighter.