My 'new' 2003 Grand Marquis.

[Piece-it pete]

She's been running well, no complaints. Except for the fact I screwed up the ride On smoother pavement it doesn't matter, on rough roads it'll jostle your fillings out. Still Black Betty, so rock steady.

I'm getting a hard click seemingly random from somewhere around the instrument cluster, probably a relay, and the front pass wobble is getting worse at high speeds but now it feels like a tire out of balance, it doesn't shake the steering wheel at all. I'll have it road force balanced and if that doesn't do it I'll change the LCA bushings. Eventually. Hopefully sometime this year.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

..

I'm getting a hard click seemingly random from somewhere around the instrument cluster, probably a relay, ...

Pete

Any ideas? Seems to be getting worse, I had a passenger notice it.

Also taking more and more engine revolutions to start?

Pete

[sly]

no clue on the click... harder start may be because COLD!

[Piece-it pete]

I thought that the first snap but it didn't get better when it got warmer, and it's slowly been taking longer, what used to be 3 turns is now more like 7 or 8, enough to be worrisome. I can't remember if I changed the filter, maybe fuel pump? It'll wait for warmer temps (I hope!).

On the plus side after noticing that later model panthers seem to be going up in price I ran it through KBB, it's at $4600 in 'good' condition I know it's not accurate though.

Pete

[sly]

I'd check filter first... then run some injector cleaner through it. The gas this years seems to be even worse than previous years. My cars (any of them) aren't happy either.

[Piece-it pete]

Haven't done anything about the filter, too cold. Still starts

Meanwhile I'm starting to have trouble with the gas gauge on my digital dash. When it gets to 30-40 'miles to empty' it goes down to zero almost immediately.

I know, don't let it go that low Or use the gauge! But my beef with these digital gauges is, with only 8 bars they're not very, um, detailed, and I'm concerned it'll get worse.

Apparently it needs a new sender. Not cheap! I see a NOS aftermarket for $65+, or a NOS motorcraft for $100. I'm trying to stick with quality on this car.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Hmmm, the aftermarket includes the fuel pump too. But, a Motorcraft one is only around $25-30.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

One front rotor is getting bad enough to have to force a change - the wobbles fault beyond a doubt. I see 2 extremely good rotors on Rock on closeout BUT they are both 'left'. I assume that's vent rotation. I'm probably going to buy them both and use them, heck on it. I really, really wanted the R1 rotors this time around but 'money, money, money'. Sigh.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Had to move the shifter to get it to start. Neutral safety switch probably. It's on the tranny and $50+.

Does anyone know, do I have to pull the shift cable? If so I'm changing it too, and I've heard it's a b*tch to remove.

Pete

[sly]

I think just the bracket/lever it's attached to so you can slide the NSS off.

[Piece-it pete]

Very cool.

Lubed the hinges. Pulled the airbox & reservoir out to look at the air coil compressor. It was already converted to metal springs when I bought it but the compressors still there. I plan on using it on my S-10 for rear air shocks. It looks OK, but it unbolts from the bottom so I'll pull it when I do the front brakes.

My low wiper fluid light stays on all the time so I eyeballed the switch while the reservoir was out. Anyone have any idea how to remove it? Just yank it out? I didn't want to break it.

I also removed the horn or snorkel or whatever it's called, the air intake thingie on the air box, just out of curiosity. The engine sounds better and there's a slight bit more power. I assume I'm the last to know?

I measured the restriction btw. The big end is over 50% larger than the small end.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Bought the 2 Raybestos 'left' rotors and 'premium' ceramic pads, came to about $85. They were closeout and the part numbers aren't complete, so I really won't know what I've bought till they arrive.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Oh and if you've got the airbox horn on your aero or whale pull it off. It sounds great. One of these days I'll add a straight extension but I'm not worried about it.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Btw, I bought a new main power wire for her. It's amazing:



What's even more amazing I stumbled upon it for a total of $16 on Amazon, they had 2 in stock, the SO got a doll for the grandkid so free shipping.

It had the wrong 'stock' picture up, so I thought heck I'll buy it, make sure it's the correct wire, if so I'll buy the other one and either shelve it or sell it on ebay.

It's the correct one. I go back to Amazon to pick up the other one and - it's back to $61.05 - WTF man!

And after seeing it in person I'm not looking forward to changing it either. It's in 'the box', I'll do it with the next battery failure (3-4 years probably).

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Did the rotors and just realized - didn't pull the &%$ %@#*& compressor!

Pete