1997 town car electrical problem

[gam-man]

Does anyone know how to fix the following problems on a 1997 Town Car.
We have no directionals, horn, headlights, the lights that are next to the grill come on and then flash if we hit the horn. The air ride suspension won't pump up. We tested all connections, fuses and circuits. We do not have power at the rear end that powers the solonoids for the air bags. We also inspected the wires that are behind the front wheel well opening for any damage and they appear like new. We do not know if this is related , but we opened the door without using the key and may have activated the alarm system??? The car would not start before until we used the key in the door lock, We were wondering if the alarm system has anything to do with the problem we are having.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by gam-man

Does anyone know how to fix the following problems on a 1997 Town Car.
We have no directionals, horn, headlights, the lights that are next to the grill come on and then flash if we hit the horn. The air ride suspension won't pump up. We tested all connections, fuses and circuits. We do not have power at the rear end that powers the solonoids for the air bags. We also inspected the wires that are behind the front wheel well opening for any damage and they appear like new. We do not know if this is related , but we opened the door without using the key and may have activated the alarm system??? The car would not start before until we used the key in the door lock, We were wondering if the alarm system has anything to do with the problem we are having.

Welcome to your first post on AF.
You are losing ground or power someplace.
Get a good volt/ohm meter.
You need to start with battery and then cables ends pos and ground and work back.
Check all grounds and power distribution.
The link below or a good factory service manual will help on the wiring and power distribution.
http://www.alldata.com/products/diy/index.html
MT

[Towncar]

Big WELCOME here gam-man !!

Also, don't forget to check the power distribution relays, their in the power distribution box, inside the engine compartment, on the passanger side wheel apron. These relays will just quit working at the absolute worst times, like crossing the dessert.... I always carry two spares, so does everyone else that's familliar with these damn things.

You can switch them around to test them, if you know that one is good.

[gam-man]

Thanks for your quick reply! We checked and cleaned the terminals and checked the battery to see it was charging at 14 volts. Is there any particular area where we should start checking? We also noticed when we turn the directionals on , both diractionals flash at the same time and the high beam indicator lamp stays on all the time , even if we don't have the lights on. After the car runs for a while, the lights next to the grill start flashing also.
This all started when the drivers side window regulator broke.
The next day, there were no headlights, the third day it would not start,(there was plenty of juice in the battery, it just would not start), At that time the anti-theft light was flashing, I suspect that my wife opened the door by pulling up the button instead of using the key, I used a key to open the door and I was then able to start the car. I brought it to a mechanic and he said it was the combination switch. I replaced the switch with a used one and the symptoms were the same so I put the original back in. (The combination switch did have a different set of numbers on the bottom but the top set of numbers matched), Somewhere along the way the airride suspension stopped working and the car sank to the ground. The wipers work fine, my main problems are lights and air ride suspension.

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by gam-man

This all started when the drivers side window regulator broke....

Was that repaired? Maybe something in there is shorting out?

By Combination Switch, I'm assuming you mean the Multifunction Switch in the Steering Column -- I was going to mention that one as a suspect, it's caused lighting problems on these forums before.

[gam-man]

Yes , It is the multifunction switch that controls high and low beam, wipers and directionals. The used one I put on was not repaired or rebuilt , it was from a junkyard and appeared to be OK. I am going to put a new one on to eliminate that. Do you know what is the cost for these?
Thanks

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by gam-man

"The used one I put on was not repaired or rebuilt , it was from a junkyard and appeared to be OK..."

Sorry, I was referring to the Window Regulator.. and no, I don't know the cost of a new MFS.

For really descent parts prices:
>>> check here <<< He's a new guy over at LOL.