2001 Town Car hard starting..HELP!!!

[bsluggers]

Hi, I've got a 2001 Town Car with 89k miles. Lately when starting after sitting 12 hrs or so, the car starts first touch of the key, and immediately dies. after a cpl tries it will stay running and run fine.Engine light came on yesterday.. Any suggestions what it might be? Also, the air ride compressor is making alot of noise when leveling. Sometimes even comes on when car is off sitting w no one near it. Is this normal? and is the compressor a dealer-only item? and what works involved in the swap? Would greatly appreciate any help. Recently switched from a caddy to the lincoln...relatively problem free comparatively.

[olopezm]

Originally Posted by bsluggers

Hi, I've got a 2001 Town Car with 89k miles. Lately when starting after sitting 12 hrs or so, the car starts first touch of the key, and immediately dies. after a cpl tries it will stay running and run fine.Engine light came on yesterday.. Any suggestions what it might be? Also, the air ride compressor is making alot of noise when leveling. Sometimes even comes on when car is off sitting w no one near it. Is this normal? and is the compressor a dealer-only item? and what works involved in the swap? Would greatly appreciate any help. Recently switched from a caddy to the lincoln...relatively problem free comparatively.

Hi!

I would get the codes read first. Most autoparts stores con do it for free; after that come back and post the codes .

I would think the IAC valve might be getting old; 2001 models still have one. You can try removing it from the intake and giving it a good clean with TB cleaner or carburetor cleaner. Make sure you only clean the pintle and cleaner doesn't gets in the motor in it.

The compressor has some bushings to isolate the vibrations. With time these can go bad and make the compressor sound louder. You might want to remove one of the bushings and check the autoparts stores for replacements (don't know if there's any).

Removing the compressor involves removing the airbox from the engine compartment and you'll see a plastic cover on top of it. After that you'll need to remove three nuts holding it in place which need to be accessed from below the car I think they are 10mm nuts. Since you will be removing it I would blow some hot air (with a hair dryer) through the air dryer (after it has been separated from the compressor) in order to remove all of the moist in it. The compressor can be bought at the dealer if you want to get ripped off but there are other aftermarket replacements available just like the web page I'm posting below:

Click Here

Don't know much, but I've heard/read lots of bad stories about Caddies; good to know you decided to switch to Lincoln's. The one I own has given me some problems but relatively easy to fix.

Oscar.

[mrfix]

As far as the compressor running with no one around, the car is designed so that about an hour after it is shut off, the compressor will run to level the car then shut off. Not sure why, but the two Lincolns I've owned do this.