Electrical Problems

[zebrapure]

I have a 1995 LIncoln Continental that is developing some sort of electrical problem at 70,000 miles.
Every now and then it goes dead and will crank but not start. After sitting for awhile it will then start and runs fine sometime for a week with not problem. Then will do it again.
Could this be found out with a normal engine diagnosis ?
The bright headlight beams are also not working if this is related.

[Towncar]

I've read the main Electrical Distribution box, under the hood has 3 or 4 relays (about $4.00 each) that can cause these type of problems until they eventually fail completely.

I've heeded the warnings, and through everyone's advice, I too carry several of these relays as spares.

Since these relays go bad unpredictabally, they can die out in the middle of nowhere, or after hours leaving you completely stranded.

Very simple to install, just open the Electrical Distribution box under the hood, mine's on the fender, you'll see the relays, their functions are listed there on the box cover, they are also interchangable so you can move them from one position (function) to another as a diagnosis to see is moving one fixes one problem, and creates another.

[skopro]

yeah i agree i have a 92 conti,and i had this same problem...started when i came into cold weather and i thought that was the problem,but it turned out to be the starter relay,easy fix...although i had only 1 to replace,still should be a problem..

[zebrapure]

Originally Posted by zebrapure

I have a 1995 LIncoln Continental that is developing some sort of electrical problem at 70,000 miles.
Every now and then it goes dead and will crank but not start. After sitting for awhile it will then start and runs fine sometime for a week with not problem. Then will do it again.
Could this be found out with a normal engine diagnosis ?
The bright headlight beams are also not working if this is related.

Thanks for the reply folks. I will try the relay replacement thing first.

[skopro]

u can test it to see if thats it,check your battery and find the positive wire and where it goes from the starter relay..what u are gonna do here is basicly bypass the starter relay..so your gonna turn your key forward then get a piece of regular wire and touch it to the positive and then touch the positive wire past the relay so that that wire u have bypasses the starter relay.. and it should turn,my mechanic showed me this a couple weks ago..DISCLAIMER: I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SHOCK gotta put that there

[zebrapure]

Originally Posted by skopro

u can test it to see if thats it,check your battery and find the positive wire and where it goes from the starter relay..what u are gonna do here is basicly bypass the starter relay..so your gonna turn your key forward then get a piece of regular wire and touch it to the positive and then touch the positive wire past the relay so that that wire u have bypasses the starter relay.. and it should turn,my mechanic showed me this a couple weks ago..DISCLAIMER: I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SHOCK gotta put that there

Thanks for the info. I will try it.