1993 - Lincoln Continental - Light & AC Problem

[Thalinor]

I just replaced my blazer with a 1993 Lincoln Continental. The car runs great but seems to have a few problems.

First, the map lights work when you open the doors but not while they are closed and you are driving! Also, the trunk, hood, front visor lights and rear reading lights don't work any time. Checked all the fuses and none seem bad.


Next, if i scroll through the oil, heat, & battery meters they all show right in the middle as if they don't change when i cycle through them. I know they all can’t be the same as it was cold last night and the temp should be showing cold, not 1/2 way. It seems all three are stuck at the same reading (half bars).


Lastly, the car had sat for a long time and the o-ring on the high pressure side of the AC was rotted so the whole AC system was empty. I replaced the o-ring, set the AC to max and started to fill the system with replacement AC filler. The meter on the can of AC stuff showed the pressure on the low end go from empty to borderline too full but alas, the compressor never came on and still won’t come on. The AC is full but does not work because the compressor won’t run. I looked in the manual and could not find a fuse for the AC compressor. Again, i checked all the ones under the hood and under the driver’s side dash.


Anyway, any help would be welcome. I have had the car a day and already fell in love with it but really want to get these problems fixed.
Thanks in advance,
Jonathan

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by Thalinor

... any help would be welcome.

Welcome !!

With all these electrical gremlins, you should definitely have a Factory Service Manual. You can get one at fordcds .com for the price of a donation, or free if thats how you play it.

You'll be able to look at the power distribution first hand to trace those interior lighting problems, and there's a very comprehensive diagnosis for the cluster as well.

[Thalinor]

ok an update:

I was wrong about the back reading lights. First off all the interior lights work fine while the doors are open. When i close the doors all the interior lights in the car go off immediately. I thought they would "dim to off" like my grandfathers Lincoln but this is not the case.

Once the doors are closed the back reading lights will turn on manually and work correctly. The front 2 map lights do not turn on while the doors are closed. If i open the door (while in park or driving) they come on. Even though the lights are not on in the car while the doors are closed, the switch does work because i tested it when the doors were open and it turned the lights on and off correctly.

The visor lights in the front both don't work any time. I checked the bulbs and they are all ok.

The scrolling dimmer switch that should turn all the interior lights on when fully wheeled all the way in the up position does dim the dash board lights but does not turn on all the interior lights when it is locked in the on position.

As for the a/c, the compressor is not getting any power. I pulled the line that goes to it and checked and no voltage. I even jumped out the low pressure switch and no go. I then replaced that low pressure switch and recharged the system. Still no go. The compressor may or may not work but without any power going to it i can't tell you if i have a bad compressor on top of the electrical issues. It has to be some sensor that is preventing power going to the a/c compressor or some fuse i don't know about.

The fuses i have found are checked are in the black box under the hood and under the dash on the driver’s side. All are good; i metered every one of them!

The guys at the local parts stores are clueless and the parts department at the local dealer is even worse. Lincoln’s 1-800 number also provided useless. I have the owner’s manual but that is useless as well. My mechanic doesn’t specialize in a/c but a guy in his shop does. That guy is there tomorrow but is booked solid till next Tuesday! I am going to call and pick his brain but if he needs to look at it I am screwed till next week.

[Towncar]

You're going to need a electrical genius; we have one over at LincolnsOnline, < here >. He (Dereck) moderates the Town Car forums and knows electrical systems like no-one else.

Give him a shout...

[tinner105]

try finding the problem using this

Compressor Clutch Diagnosis NotesB1 - B6
and this
Compressor Clutch Diagnosis NotesB7 - B11
really when you try and recharge the system it needs to be vacumed out with a vacum pump. air and A/C dont mix very well.

tony

[Thalinor]

Thanks for the info.

I found that the guy who i bought the car from put a 30 amp fuse in a 15 amp spot. This caused wire damage under the dash. I have been metering out the wires and am getting close to finding the problem.

Sigh... all because of a fuse and a guy who was to old to care.

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by Thalinor

Sigh... all because of a fuse and a guy who was to old to care.

Ouch !! That's good news for a Bad situation. Those wrapped harnesses can be a real PITA for tracing wires.

Good luck with that.

PS
Wow, that's weird.. every time I Refresh this post, Tinner's attachments change to something else.