Interior Light, Antenna Problems

Hey everybody, I just bought a 98 Mercury Mountaineer with almost 130,000 miles on it for $5700 (was that a good deal, by the way?). I know that's high mileage but the previous owner has taken GREAT care of it and there are only a few scratches on it and a couple other problems.

First, I noticed that some of the interior button lighting (like on the power windows, radio, rear wiper, etc.) is out. Sometimes certain buttons will come back on but for the most part they stay dark or very dim. I know I can fix my radio display by resoldering those circuts in the radio power supply, but is there any way to fix the other lighting problems, like on the power windows and steering wheel?

Also, the attenna doesn't come up. I know I can buy a replacement for about $12, but I hear a clicking and just wanted to make sure this is normal. Whenever the radio is turned on or off, I can hear the attenna motor making a clicking noise.

Another thing... the power locks make a funny noise in the very rear whenever you lock or unlock the door. It sounds like the power lock motor making a loud whirring noise, but the noise is coming from the very rear.. almost sounds like its coming from the tailgate. Anyone have any idea about that?

Other than these problems, the truck is flawless and I am very happy with my purchase. Can anyone suggest any maintenence I should have done considering there are 130,000 miles on the truck? Any other opinions would be appreciated.

Phil

Goto kelly blue book website or edmunds website and check the price to see if you got a decent deal..
i notice on my 2002 that when i hit the unlock button all my locks including the tailgate are unlocked...as for the clicking sound from the antenna motor..it sounds like the gearing might be stripped...maybe a junkyard might have 1 cheap.
the lighting issue may be simple as a fuse that is ready to go..check the easy stuff 1st...

maintenece issues you might want to consider..
ask the previous owner if he had done any work on it...u might save yourself some time and money not doing something he already might have done...
1.change oil+filter(obvious)
2.change the air filter
3.change fuel filter + add some injector cleaner
4.bleed the brakes..(you would be surprised at the junk that comes out of the line if you never had done it)
5.check brake pads and shoes
6.check fuses
7.check power steering fluid quality
8.check all seatbelts
9.grease any fitting that can be greased
10.check the wipers and fluid
11.check all axles for leaks or boots for tears
12.check tranny transfer and transaxle fluids
13.adjust or replace any brake part that looks questionable
14.repack wheel bearings or replace if needed
15.clean and grease calipers
16.have the drums or rotors checked and turned if needed

thats a few i could think of..hope it helps..

RE the antenna: The antenna mast is raised and lowered by a flexible, toothed nylon strip attached to the lower end if the mast. The mast itself simply pulls out (a press fit). What has happened is that the nylon strip broke, leaving a piece probably 6-8" long in the power antenna assemly. This does no damage to the assembly itself, but your mast won't operate even though the motor runs.

To fix, you need to remove the inner fender liner to get to the assembly, remove six screws to take the cover off the reel and remove the broken piece. Replace the cover and fender liner, and get a replacement power antenna mast (about $15 on eBay).

With the radio on, pull out the old mast, and insert the nylon strip on the new mast, teeth facing the rear, as far as it will go, and have somebody turn the radio off (you can do this yourself). The strip will be reeled in and you can push the mast itself into the fitting.

Not very difficult, but easier to do on a lift.