Recently purchasesd a 1988 Mark VII Bill Blass Edition w/116,000+ miles. Its been running great for the past three weeks. No problems other than discovering the air needs recharging and the driver's window needs a new switch (motor for window was replaced, still dosen't work). But that's not the problem. Last night it was raining, so I decided to drive the three blocks to work. Car started & drove fine, but when I tried to start Blu (car's name) five hours later; got in, put key in ignition, turned key & total blackout. No lights, no crank, nothing. Opened door, lights came back on, tried to start again, total blackout. Friend offered a jump. Nothing. Lights didn't come back on, nothing. Car stayed dark, there was a spark on the battery & the ground wire on battery seemed warm, but no interior lights, nothing - total electrical blackout. Could this have any relation to the fact I filled her with gas earlier in the day? Could the torrential rain have gotten something wet? I didn't go through any major puddles except for the one into the parking lot, but it gets only about two inches deep. Does this car have a solenoid switch? I remember something like this happening to a '61 Ford Sunliner convertable I once owned (loved that car) & we had to replace the solenoid. Would this work or are we looking at a major electrical problem here? Did I mention I really like this car, so HELP! Please.
1988 Mark VII car electrical system died, causes?
- Thread starter Yodi1One
- Start date
RE: 1988 Mark VII car electrical system died, causes?
OK, got a jump from a tow truck & she finally started (took a few minutes to recharge the battery), the battery seems to be holding the charge. Got her home & she restarted OK. Did notice the ground wire looks worn & is cracked, gonna replace that later today. Does anyone think this might have been the problem? Sure hope it was. Also, the stereo was replaced by the previous owner & whoever did the job messed up the door panels, meaning they seem to have ripped out all the plastic holding pins. Can they be repaired or do I need to replace the door panels? & if I do, will I have to look for Mark VII panels or will any '88 Lincoln (or maybe Thunderbird) door panel work?
PS: Roommate just told me that the electrical going out is a quirk of the alarm system (somebody might have set it off) & I should have punched in the keyless entry code to reset the car. The stuff you gotta know about when you get a new (to me) car!
OK, got a jump from a tow truck & she finally started (took a few minutes to recharge the battery), the battery seems to be holding the charge. Got her home & she restarted OK. Did notice the ground wire looks worn & is cracked, gonna replace that later today. Does anyone think this might have been the problem? Sure hope it was. Also, the stereo was replaced by the previous owner & whoever did the job messed up the door panels, meaning they seem to have ripped out all the plastic holding pins. Can they be repaired or do I need to replace the door panels? & if I do, will I have to look for Mark VII panels or will any '88 Lincoln (or maybe Thunderbird) door panel work?
PS: Roommate just told me that the electrical going out is a quirk of the alarm system (somebody might have set it off) & I should have punched in the keyless entry code to reset the car. The stuff you gotta know about when you get a new (to me) car!
RE: 1988 Mark VII car electrical system died, causes?
Got the battery cables replaced & now she starts everytime. Got a new problem, though. Don't know if its vapor lock, bad gas, dirty fuel filter or a bad fuel pump, but Blu dies at the oddest moments. Like when I put her in reverse (while parking) or starting off from a stop sign or light. Sometimes she looses power for a second and then revs and almost leaps forward & sometimes she totally dies. When she looses power, everything inside dies, no dash, no interior lights, no radio, nothing and I have to start her again (this may take two or three tries & she acts like she's flooded). Other times she looses power, interior lights go out & then everthing comes back without me restarting except the heater control panel is out & the turn signal doesn't work. In the couple of times she did that I was able to drive her some distance (like ten or fifteen miles) with no further occurance. I thought, too, that maybe the heat lately wasn't to her liking (I know how older cars get at certain temperatures) but I'm really stumped. I'm taking her to a reliable mechanic I know, but I don't know how well versed he is in working on Lincolns so any imput will help.
Got the battery cables replaced & now she starts everytime. Got a new problem, though. Don't know if its vapor lock, bad gas, dirty fuel filter or a bad fuel pump, but Blu dies at the oddest moments. Like when I put her in reverse (while parking) or starting off from a stop sign or light. Sometimes she looses power for a second and then revs and almost leaps forward & sometimes she totally dies. When she looses power, everything inside dies, no dash, no interior lights, no radio, nothing and I have to start her again (this may take two or three tries & she acts like she's flooded). Other times she looses power, interior lights go out & then everthing comes back without me restarting except the heater control panel is out & the turn signal doesn't work. In the couple of times she did that I was able to drive her some distance (like ten or fifteen miles) with no further occurance. I thought, too, that maybe the heat lately wasn't to her liking (I know how older cars get at certain temperatures) but I'm really stumped. I'm taking her to a reliable mechanic I know, but I don't know how well versed he is in working on Lincolns so any imput will help.
oldschool1
Registered
Correct the basics first.
Correct the basics first.
Hi.
I must have missed this post the first time around.
If the ignition switch (not the key switch) has not been changed by you, then change it now. See: http://www.thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/tech/1984ignitionSwitch.pdf
This article pertains to ALL Lincoln Mark VIIs from 1984 to 1989.
Verify that the battery is reading 12 or more volts standing with the car off and the key removed.
Verify that the terminals are clean and tight.
Verify that the starter relay connections are clean and tight.
From there, you need to test the starter relay. If it's stock, I would replace it now ($20.00). Test the voltage regulator. If it's stock, I would replace it now ($20.00). Test the alternator. If it's stock, I would replace it now ($80.00 - $240.00).
Once these items have been changed, the electrical problems should cease. If not, then we get to go into diagnostics
Correct the basics first.
Hi.
I must have missed this post the first time around.
If the ignition switch (not the key switch) has not been changed by you, then change it now. See: http://www.thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/tech/1984ignitionSwitch.pdf
This article pertains to ALL Lincoln Mark VIIs from 1984 to 1989.
Verify that the battery is reading 12 or more volts standing with the car off and the key removed.
Verify that the terminals are clean and tight.
Verify that the starter relay connections are clean and tight.
From there, you need to test the starter relay. If it's stock, I would replace it now ($20.00). Test the voltage regulator. If it's stock, I would replace it now ($20.00). Test the alternator. If it's stock, I would replace it now ($80.00 - $240.00).
Once these items have been changed, the electrical problems should cease. If not, then we get to go into diagnostics
RE: Correct the basics first.
RE: Correct the basics first.
Thank you for your suggestion. I got real lucky & found a repair place that specializes in Lincolns & the owner got in my car, started it & said that the problem was exactly what you suggested, the ignition switch. Seems there had been a recall on those switches many moons ago & my car missed it. Got the switch replaced & she runs like a dream!
I LOVE this car! She is probably the most beautiful to drive automobile I have ever owned. I can understand why people who have these cars love them so. Until I lucked onto Blu I didn't understand the passion folks can have for a vehicle.
RE: Correct the basics first.
Thank you for your suggestion. I got real lucky & found a repair place that specializes in Lincolns & the owner got in my car, started it & said that the problem was exactly what you suggested, the ignition switch. Seems there had been a recall on those switches many moons ago & my car missed it. Got the switch replaced & she runs like a dream!
I LOVE this car! She is probably the most beautiful to drive automobile I have ever owned. I can understand why people who have these cars love them so. Until I lucked onto Blu I didn't understand the passion folks can have for a vehicle.
oldschool1
Registered
RE: Correct the basics first.
RE: Correct the basics first.
[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Thank you for your suggestion. I got real lucky & found a repair place that specializes in Lincolns & the owner got in my car, started it & said that the problem was exactly what you suggested, the ignition switch. Seems there had been a recall on those switches many moons ago & my car missed it. Got the switch replaced & she runs like a dream!I LOVE this car! She is probably the most beautiful to drive automobile I have ever owned. I can understand why people who have these cars love them so. Until I lucked onto Blu I didn't understand the passion folks can have for a vehicle.
[/div]
The people that Barry McGuire interviews, have nothing on car owners like yourself. You're welcome and ~thank you~ for deciding to restore and maintain yet another Lincoln Mark VII.
The mechanic that worked on your car is truly a craftsman.
http://thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/Gallery/albums/oldschool3/P1010016.sized.jpg
JD
RE: Correct the basics first.
[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Thank you for your suggestion. I got real lucky & found a repair place that specializes in Lincolns & the owner got in my car, started it & said that the problem was exactly what you suggested, the ignition switch. Seems there had been a recall on those switches many moons ago & my car missed it. Got the switch replaced & she runs like a dream!I LOVE this car! She is probably the most beautiful to drive automobile I have ever owned. I can understand why people who have these cars love them so. Until I lucked onto Blu I didn't understand the passion folks can have for a vehicle.
[/div]
The people that Barry McGuire interviews, have nothing on car owners like yourself. You're welcome and ~thank you~ for deciding to restore and maintain yet another Lincoln Mark VII.
The mechanic that worked on your car is truly a craftsman.
http://thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/Gallery/albums/oldschool3/P1010016.sized.jpg
JD