I havn't heard of this in Town Car, or 1997... but in other Lincolns there some discussion re: door switches malfunctioning causing intermittant problems with some systems.
The cure was to remove the switches, clean them up, lube with some appropriate spray, re-install. In the Town Car their called "Door Ajar Switches". Also, very important, check the Hood Switch as well, I dont think that one can be cleaned, but check it anyway, it's on the RT top fender apron, under the hood. There are also switches mounted on the lock cylinders, both doors, and the trunk that may be defective under certain conditions...
I'm in a 1996, and my service manual quotes the following for
Inputs and Outputs, maybe this will give a clue:
The electronic door lock control system receives signals from:
- transmission range (TR) sensor
ignition switch (11572)
seat occupied switch
door lock switches (14028)
lighting control module (door ajar output)
keyless entry keypad (14A626)
keyless entry remote transmitters (15K601)
The system sends output signals to:
- keyless entry keypad illumination
power door lock actuators (218A42)
luggage compartment door lock solenoid (14030)
horn relay (14N089)
lighting control module
Components
The system is composed of the following components:
- lighting control module
alarm indicator lamp in LH indicator panel
door lock cylinder switch (220A40)
hood anti-theft control bracket and switch (19A434)
luggage compartment door lock cylinder switch
ignition cylinder tamper switch
The following components already exist in the vehicle and are used in the anti-theft alarm system:
- front door lock switch (14017)
door open warning lamp switch (14018)
relay (14N089)
horn relay and bracket (13853) and horns
low beam headlamps
rear lamp and park lamp
starter relay
driver door module