1987 Thunderbird with a dead short?

[97Bird]

rhandwor- You sound like a company spokesman for Alldata! How about getting some diagrams for me to help Linda with. You do have a subscription don't you?!

[rhandwor]

I buy a factory service manual for my vehicles. I have used wiring diagrams from alldata and thought they were good. Factory manuals if bought used from ebay are cheaper for the long run. But they don't have wiring diagrams
so if I need one I buy a years subscription. Then I print the wiring diagram and put it in my manual.
Some ford web sites have some manuals. They give a discount for the second car and reduce the price to get you back.
I have a product research manual with computer wiring diagrams I think I could scan and email you a copy.
Send me a private email so I can email you an attachment for your 1987.

[97Bird]

rhandwor- Apparently you don't know about the Electrical and Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual (EVTM) that is a companion to the factory service manual and can be purchased new along with the service manual from helminc.com. It has all the wiring and vacuum diagrams that you need for each vehicle. I also buy the factory shop manuals along with the EVTM for my vehicles. You can also find them used on Ebay like the one I posted for Linda to purchase. You have a PM! Thanks.

[rhandwor]

What engine do you have in this vehicle?

[97Bird]

We'll have to wait for Linda to tell us.

[rhandwor]

These cars had a problem burning fuseable links attached to the starter. Use wire two wire sizes smaller than the connecting wire to make a new one. If the external voltage regulator isn't grounded they won't work. This is a big problem in the rust belt.
Some of them had a problem with the ignition switch my 1985 had a factory recall.

[rhandwor]

Linda did you ever get it fixed? Please let us know.

[97Bird]

rhandwor- The fax machine I had you fax the diagrams to was NG. I couldn't read anything. I'll try to find someone else I know that has one. Thanks for trying!

[97Bird]

Hello Linda,

Inquiring minds want to know! How did you make out with your Tbird problems? If it is the computer you should check the salvage yards for one before buying a new one. You will need one out of a Tbird with a digital dash. Many yards are tied together by computers now so they can check different places to see if anyone has one. Give it a shot. I hope that isn't your problem though!

97Bird

[marksatterfield]

Check the three ways of the wiring harness between the alternator, the battery, and the vehicle. If the alternator has been replaced before, there will be crimps that attach the wiring together.

For unknown reasons, the instructions say to NOT solder the connections. On my vehicle, about two years after I replaced the alternator, I had similar issues. It turned out that the NON soldered connections had corroded. I simply soldered the connections and everything was fine, and has been fine for the last six years.

--Mark

http://www.marksatterfield.com

[marksatterfield]

Check the three ways of the wiring harness between the alternator, the battery, and the vehicle. If the alternator has been replaced before, there will be crimps that attach the wiring together.

For unknown reasons, the instructions for the 1987 told me to NOT solder the connections. On my vehicle, about two years after I replaced the alternator, I had similar issues. It turned out that the NON soldered connections had corroded. I simply soldered the connections and everything was fine, and has been fine for the last six years.

--Mark

http://www.marksatterfield.com

[97Bird]

Mark- This problem has already been solved off line. Fusable links. Thanks for your input. You're digging up some older threads I see!

[marksatterfield]

Yes, seems so. I noticed several requests for additional data on this thread (last was from you, "Inquiring minds want to know!") and I had the same issue several years ago.

Thanks for the response, and glad to hear it wasn't the "death" of a car!

--Mark

http://www.marksatterfield.com