1989 - 2 questions

I have a 1989 Park Avenue/Electra I inherited from my Grandmother. Though it's 15 years old, it only has 75,000 miles and is in wonderful shape. (in the past year I replaced the alternator and that's it...)

1st question - When the car is off, the fan (A/C vent?) comes on. This seems to happen on warmer days. (don't recall it happening during the winter, but...?) Is this normal? What's the purpose? Will it not drain the battery?

2nd question - I recently turned 75,000 miles. What services should I request be done/con my friends into doing at this point?

Thanks!

hehe I got a 1991 with 47000 miles on it from my grandfather back in 2000. The car spent 9 years in south florida before I got it. The heat and idle use have been costly, but bearable.

The most expensive (what I believe to be) age related repair I had to do was a transaxle (auto transmission) overhaul. The seals were worn out and the transaxle was diagnosed with "morning sickness" (yeah thats what they call it). What happens is in the morning, (especially in colder weather) the transaxle has trouble shifting into park. I would put it in park, but it would act as if it was in neutral. If I waited a couple of minutes or put it into low gear, it would come into gear and work. The new transmission has been good. Cost about $1300 to fix.

Another (this time definitely) age and heat related problem is the interior. The headliner is destroyed and the leather needs significant repairs. Apparently my grandfather liked to leave the windows cracked and the water that leaked in stained the door panels, rotted out the headliner and made the leather start to crack. Hopefully your grandmother kept the windows rolled up.

As far as things to look out for, I would inspect the water pump, power steering pump, belt(s), radiator and other hoses, motor mounts (had to replace a couple), split loom wire tubing in the engine compartment (mine was brittle and was terribly deteriorating), brakes (my rear drum brake cylinders needed replacing), struts (mine need work), and anything else that would wear due to age.

I still think I ended up on top with this car. It might be old and have cost alot on repairs, but the insurance is ultra cheap, (liability only $800/yr, dont need complete insurance, car isnt worth it) I got the car for free, No car payments, and its a smooth driver. Let me know if you have any questions about age related wear.

Thanks for the info. The only thing I know for sure I need to replace right now is the headliner. The car is running beautifully, was kept in a garage for at least 10 years, with short ventures out to the grocery store and to get the oil changed. It only had about 40,000 miles when I got it last year, and I've nearly doubled that in one year...

Any idea on the fan that blows when the car is off? It blows out the vents at the windshield and at the feet.

Thanks for the info. The only thing I know for sure I need to replace right now is the headliner. The car is running beautifully, was kept in a garage for at least 10 years, with short ventures out to the grocery store and to get the oil changed. It only had about 40,000 miles when I got it last year, and I've nearly doubled that in one year...

Any idea on the fan that blows when the car is off? It blows out the vents at the windshield and at the feet.

There are relays that control the fan speed. An old relay could be worn out and the contacts sticking making the fan stay on. There is one (might not exactly be a relay, I need to look it up) that is mounted inside the air conditioning plenum and is accessible from the engine bay. (I replaced one of those on a 92 cadillac, similar to a 91 pa) I dont know how similar the 89 is to the 91, but I think its to the left of the blower motor near where the 2 fuel lines go back towards the firewall. Another relay could be located in the maxifuse / relay panel (dont know how similar it is to a 91, but..) which is at the top of the engine compartment nearest to the firewall.

I'll look it up in my 91 pa service manual and haynes book when I get home from work.

I appreciate your help. The main confusion for me is that it does not STAY on or off. When I turn the car off, it goes off. However, if I let the car sit, it will turn on and off throughout the day.