lights don't come on when car is unlocked with fob

[pitt079]

1996 TC - When the car is unlocked using the remote keyfob, neither the headlights nor the interior lights come one? Dealer said "...we don't have a book for that." Any help would be appreciated.

[Towncar]

Do all the lights work?

If you leave the headlamps on in the "delay mode" after you close the doors, they will eventually turn off, then re-activate during the un-lock process.

If you turn the headlamps off before closing the doors, their not going to come on during the un-lock process.

Do the interior lamps work normally? Do they light up when the door is opened?

I found out the hard way, if the rear headliner lamps are switched off up there, but not fully "rocked" to the off position, the whole interior lamp system gets whacked. Make sure their "rocked" fully to the off position.

Only us 95/97 TC guys can relate to "rocked" off

PS. I have to Factory Service Manual, and Diagnosis manuals on CD if you're interested.

[pitt079]

Thanks for the response, however the lights do come on when the door is opened. Checked the interior lamps and made sure they were off, but still the same problem. Any other ideas?

[Towncar]

Well...
I can read the crap out out of my manuals, or make copies, send them to you, and you can read the crap out of the manuals

There may, or may not be a specific diagnosis procedure for this problem, or the manual might say something like, "substitute a known good keyless entry module".

I'm not trying to dis you here, but the problem is definately electrical, diagnosis is complex, and it may just be a loose wire from the module.

It's going to take some thourough understanding of the entire system to trace it down.

I'll gladly send you copies of the Factory CD's if you want them, their specific for my car, but your's seems to be the same one.

Your choice !

[pitt079]

I will certainly take you up on tour offer for the cd's. DO you charge for them or can I replace the cd's or would you want to FTP them? Also, I did not take your comments as a 'dis. When dealer can't help, that makes me want to fix it even more. Let me know about the cd's.

Thanks!

[Towncar]

Hmmm....
I just checked the house pc, and it appears the daughters have consumed ALL the blank cd's.

I was making a trip to Fry's anyway 'cause they just advertized the GQ 52x 100 spindle for $12+tx out the door.

This will only delay the process one more day. I don't have FTP ability for anything this size, so the cd's are the only option.

PM me the address you want these sent to and I'll postmark them late Sun. or early Mon. As you've gathered by now, the entire expense will be 2 cd's + postage ($0.24 + 2.00??), so I don't expect anything in return.

It's great to have another 1996 guy around here to help out with the posts

Q:
Do you still have the original plastic intake manifold, with the first cross channel (where the alternator mounts) made of plastic?

If so, DO NOT ever run WOT (wide open throttle). The added strain WILL pull downward on the alternator, and crack that first cross section of the intake manifold, spewing coolant all over the place and disabling your 4.6. The new OEM parts will about $500 to $700 including that nasty coolant hose that runs under the manifold, add your own labor at about 4 to 7 hours.

[pitt079]

Replaced the plastic manifold last year. Broke down while travelling on PA turnpike, $1,000. I will PM my address to you. Also, does your trunk leak when it rains? Weatherstripping didn't seem to help.