Cellular Phone Question

[r_2016]

I have 1 1997 towncar that has a cellular phone in the armrest. When I go to place a call a message comes on saying "welcome to verizonwireless your call cannot be completed at this time" it also gos on to say that you can make a credit card call. Does anyone know how to get a phone like this activated? I will need to find the interface box that has the "ESN" on it in order to be able to activate it. Thanks

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by r_2016

I have 1 1997 towncar that has a cellular phone in the armrest. When I go to place a call a message comes on saying "welcome to verizonwireless your call cannot be completed at this time" it also gos on to say that you can make a credit card call. Does anyone know how to get a phone like this activated? I will need to find the interface box that has the "ESN" on it in order to be able to activate it. Thanks

Ahhhhhhh -- the phone.... this is a fun subject
This is an Analog only phone, which means it won't work on todays digital only services. Speaking of Verizon, I believe their the only one left that still might give you an analog subscription if you get down on your knees and beg. They don't want to do it. One nice thing about these phones, their a wopping 3 watts so the transmission is incredibly clear compared to 0.6w on digital.

There's a Microphone mounted just above the Rearview Mirror at the edge of the Headliner, and the Transceiver is located in the Trunk on the right sidewall behind the facia panels. There were two types of Antenna used, one was incorporated in the Rear Window, and the better ones were the Mast type drilled through the glass.

You can still get the Official Ford Operators Manual (Ford Part # F5VF-19A285-AA) for that system for free by contacting Fords Cellular System Support number at 1-800-367-3013.

Any electronic problems can be worked out by the equipment mfg. Audiotronics at 1-800-755-4161.

Awhile back I put this webpage together for the gang at LOL. It has all the sections from the Factory Service Manual re: the 1996 Phone, ripped to PDF format.
http://www26.brinkster.com/dchartney...obilePhone.htm


HERE'S SOME EXCERPTS FROM PAST CONVERSATIONS ON THE SUBJECT:
97 TC Factory Phone Determine ESN
From Ford cell tech
1-800-336-3998
1612 Hutton Dr
Carrolloton, TX 75006

Program scan mode:
Recall *
* to toggle
Store

Program voice autodialer
Enter phone number
STOR *
"name please"
say name to record
it will ask to repeat
it will say done recording

To find ESN electronic serial number
FUNC 00**83786633 STO # 38 #
[provides first 2 of 8 digits to right]
*
[provides next 2 of 8 digits to right]
*
[provides next 2 of 8 digits to right]
*
[provides last 2 of 8 digits to right]

continued * will toggle through 8 digits
================================================== =====
2000 Cartier Town Car
Rather than wait for a reply for a phone, I called the Lincoln Cellular Service Center at 1-800-755-4161, and for $249.00 they're sending me a new handset, battery and owner's book. The fellow (Rudy) told me to be sure that my new phone would work on my carrier's network. I called Verizon, and they told me it should work fine, I just needed to bring the phone in to them to be programmed with my existing number.
and...

I had a little bit of a challenge getting the service technician at Verizon to program it. He gave me a hard time about having to "switch to an analog plan", which STARTS at $60.00 a month! Fortunately, the store manager was standing nearby, and after doing a little bit of research, he told the tech to go ahead and program the phone. He told me I may get some stray roaming charges on my bill, since analog phones apparently don't know when they're roaming and when they're not. But, if I had a problem with this to come and see him, and he'd make the bill right.
As far as the phone goes, I love it! The owner's manual which came with it is not intuitive, but I played with the phone a while, and I've got the voice dialing tags programmed in and the radio button presets saved, and I'm as happy as a clam.
================================================== =====
We too have a lincoln phone in our 2000 TC. We use Verizon also and I think it runs $35 a month. Unfortunately they tell us that we can only generate calls within our region (NC/SC)to make calls without roaming charges. We do like our Lincoln phone. The Verizon service center replaced our battery for us free of charge and even gave us a charger so we can charge the battery separately if we wish.

I also have a 98 Conti that did not come with a phone and I would love to add one. Seems like all the Lincoln dealerships I asked are brain dead about doing that. I am greatful someone provided the info on the Ford 800 number, I will attempt to call them. Guess I have a problem though in that my center console does not have the wiring present, but I assume maybe that could possibly be added too. Will consider and any suggestions are welcomed.

Lastly, you cannot add a digital phone to the analog based Lincoln systems, won't work.
================================================== =====
Reload this Page 97 TC Factory Phone Voice and Memory Options:
Call Ford Audio at 1-800-336-3996 x240 Rudy. The book cost me $8.
If the phone is like my 97 TC do the following:

Set up Voice Dialing:
1. Enter Phone Number (eg. 713 816 5555)

2. Press STO *

3. System says "Directory Name Please"

4. Under quiet conditions with the car running speak the name to be stored like "Carol". This is called training the phone.

5. The System asks for a confirming training by saying "Again Please" or "Repeat Please"

6. The System will say "Please Wait" and then "Done Training" followed by a short playback of the name (if enabled).

7. To use press the handsfree button by the rearview mirror and the system will ask "Name Please". Say the name and the system should say "Thank You". You won't hear dialing.

Error Messages:
a. "Directory Full" if 20 locations are in use for voice dialing.

b. "Sorry, Too Noisy to Train" if too noisy (usually when on the highway).

c. "Louder" Speak louder

Options

I. Step 2 can be STO xx (with xx the desired memory location)

II. End the handsfree call with the same phone button near the mirror.

III. Voice Memory Scolling lets you hear all the recorded names. FCN 099 STO 0 for the first location. Use the left and right arrows to continue through the locations. Return to normal with the END key.

IV. Normal number storage:
STO xx END (with xx the two digit location. Disregard the "Directory Name Please" after the xx). Up to 16 digit storage in 30 locations (20 with voice).

V. Auto Store:
713 816 5555 STO * will store into next available memory location.

VI. Recall Memory Location:
RCL xx SEND
or
xx SEND (number not on display)

VII. Delete Numbers and Voice:
Bring up memory location, press and hold CLR, press STO xx.

VIII. Recall Last number called:
RCL
================================================== =====

[r_2016]

So if I wanted to set up the phone on a plane and verizone let me do it I would have to call them and tell them that I wanted to setup and analog plan and give them the ESN number of the phone witch would run me about $60.00a month. I have heard that there are Motorola phones like this that are digital if I wanted to get one of those phones could I just swap it out with the old phone? Thanks for the help

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by r_2016

...I have heard that there are Motorola phones like this that are digital if I wanted to get one of those phones could I just swap it out with the old phone?

I don't know the answer to that question... not for your 1997. I heard the same, but it was in reference to a 2000 and again for a 2002 model.

I would suggest you call the toll free numbers listed in the pervious post and ask that question, if someone dosn't jump right in here with a direct answer