1991 p72

[gadget73]

You shouldn't have 12v on the small solenoid wire with the key in run. It should only have power in "start".

Is that with a digital meter with it not hooked to the solenoid? Try with it hooked up. DVM's put no load on things, so you might be seeing leakage from a dicked ignition switch coming through but it may not have enough current to throw the relay.

What are you jumping on the solenoid exactly, fat to fat, or fat to the skinny? Try fat to skinny to see what it does. If that makes it throw, the solenoid itself is fine and the problem is on the key circuit. No brake interlock on these either, so that wouldn't be related.

The 91 does use the old big starter solenoid, but its using it as a relay to throw the solenoid on the starter itself. Its not a small relay like later ones use, though functionally you could replace it with one. Mostly its used as a power distribution point more than anything else. There should be a fat stud with a shitton of wires on it, a small post with a single wire from the key switch, and a fat post with a smallish wire that runs down to the starter. There also ought to be a fat wire on the battery side of the relay that runs down to the starter.

[pantera77]

Is it me or is that just a slick top civi car? No police speedo, no rear sway bar, single exhaust, looks like 10" drums, rubber bushings on the upper control arms, and a STD frame, certainly ain't an old cop car. Didn't they change VIN codes in 90?


Looks like a solid winter beater.

[Mr Bean]

It's definitely a civi car. Not sure why it's got P72 in the VIN. Maybe a fleet model?

[79lincolnlover]

It's definitely a civi car.

Looks to be optioned the same as my '90 CV.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

I'm thinking the owner custom ordered it to be like that. Start with the P72 base, maybe tick off a few options, and that's it. I don't think too many fleets would have ordered a car with a metallic paint job and pin stripe.

The original owner was probably one of those stuck in their ways type who always insisted on purchasing (or ordering) a base car with minimal options.

[88Vic]

It's got winter tires on it already, nice. Get the bugs worked out, put a trac-loc in it and it's ready for winter.

I would say dual exhaust, but I'd wait until spring so the new pipe doesn't get all salty.

[Mr Bean]

Swapped out the starter solenoid and it's alive. Takes a few spins before it starts up, not sure what that's attributed to. Might just need a tune up.

[VicCrownVic]

Progress, nice!

I don't know why I didn't think of this when I read the earlier posts, but the little ground wire on the factory starter is known to corrode. I believe it was due to a crappy spade connector being used from the factory not making good contact. When the factory starter died on my '91 the replacement came with a small lenght of wire with a ring terminal, to replace the spade connector end, and that boltet to the starter for a better connection.

If the car has the factory starter this may be worth checking.

[sly]

Swapped out the starter solenoid and it's alive. Takes a few spins before it starts up, not sure what that's attributed to. Might just need a tune up.

my 88 likes me to wait for the fuel pump to finish priming before turning the key to crank. I probably need to replace the fuel filter too as the one-way valve is probably wasted. meh. still works.

[P72Ford]

Nice find! Thank god for that greasy grime on the undercarriage.

I had an '88 P72 that was a civilian car; it had air conditioning, but was otherwise sparse. It didn't even have rear defrost...

I think maybe dealers used a P72 to get a base model slick top, and added options from there? How else could a buyer specify no vinyl top?

[Mainemantom]

One good thing is you do not have rust in the lower "A pillar/firewall" areas like many of them do. Mine has that and it is from CA.!
Being a P72 it is possible it was a government order of some kind.
Look for a build sheet or (if I remember right) a DSO tag in the engine bay.

[TecNickal]

How does that rust form on the lower part of A pillar/firewall? Is it just water seepage from cowling?

And WOW nice find! I like it a lot. You did well and saved it from Demo Duty (as much as I enjoy watching a good demo, watching nice cars get pummeled to death is a kick in the nuts!)

[Mainemantom]

I think that rust comes from a design flaw on the 88-91s. Both sides of my 90 was rusted out and poorly repaired by the Department in Ca. that it came from. This repair would be a job for someone like Scott (Lincolnmania). I think either water/salt accumulates in the cowl area, or drain passages get plugged. I know West Coast vehicles can rust out especially if they are near the ocean. This is the only area on my car that has any rust issue.

How does that rust form on the lower part of A pillar/firewall? Is it just water seepage from cowling?

And WOW nice find! I like it a lot. You did well and saved it from Demo Duty (as much as I enjoy watching a good demo, watching nice cars get pummeled to death is a kick in the nuts!)

[TecNickal]

My 87 has a HOLE in pass side. Size of a quarter. My 89 is just in beginning stages.

[Mr Bean]

Do 91's not have shift interlock? Looks like all the hardware is there on the column but mine doesn't seem to function.