1990 Continental Problems

[SNOOP]

Hey,

My car has a charge system warning light appearing every time I start it up ,but when you start it up with a little pressure on the gas pedal it doesn't come on at all. I've already replaced my battery, alternator, belt tensioner and belt but its still the same.

Both of my side view mirrors also don't adjust in the down and right direction, but they move left and up.

The rear door locks also don't unlock/lock when you use the power locks. They work as if they are manual locks. When you press the power lock button both rear locks make a grinding sound.

And my gas tank lid also doesn't open. I use the manual opening wire from inside the the trunk to open it when I need to refuel the car. It also doesn't make no noises when operating it.

Any sugestions on helping me fix this problems? Thanks in advance. :confused:

[ January 06, 2003: Message edited by: SNOOP ]

[pro-five-oh]

Hmm...

1. Maybe the idle of the motor is set too low when the motor is cold, causing the altnernator to spin too slowly. Check the idle stop screw and the IAC/IAB valve to see if they are okay.

2. The power mirror switch is bad. I don't know if you can take it apart and clean it. If you cannot, get another one from another Ford/Mercury/Lincoln in the junkyard.

3. Either the door lock motors are busted or they have popped off the door. You'll have to remove the inner door panel to access it and see what happened.

4. Not really sure. Check to see if there is power coming to/going from the switch inside the car and inside the trunk, behind that cable you pull.

[ekooke]

1. Check idle speed. Change the voltage regulator (good idea with new alternator, anyway).
2. Switch contacts could be shot, or just corroded/dirty. A new mirror switch from SVPU.com is $38.95 + p/h.
3. Not sure; pull the door panel and look at what's happening.
4. Check for power to fuel door release solenoid (takes two people). If you have power, get "new solenoid" from salvage yard. If no power, it's most likely button switch in console. Check for power to button switch.

[pro-five-oh]

With the second opinion, your car is now ready to be fixed!!! ;)

[ekooke]

Ha,Ha. Pro-five-oh, I compose in Word and cut/paste to the forum. You got your answers in while I was in Word. BTW, did you ever pull the bumper cover on your car and see those light "cutouts" in the front of the bumper?

[pro-five-oh]

Ekooke, so THAT's why you always have the right answers! I'm on to you, pal! ;) :D ;)

Still haven't looked for holes in my 1983 Conti...however I am working on getting my garage door opener (mine was specific to 1983 models) working as I have bought another unit from Ebay and will be swapping parts soon.

[JustinMarkVII]

Hmm... 1990 Continental problems...

Isn't a 1990 Continental just basically one big problem itself? ;)

[ekooke]

Pro-five-oh, I'm not sure about the '83 Conti having the front bumper cutout holes; just the '84-92 Mark VII and the common bumper on the '84-87 Conti. The driving lights in my bumper cutouts are great for supplemental high beams but they're way too much for auxiliary low beams. I may spring for a set of the Sylvania Xenarcs for auxiliary low beams, if I can justify (in my mind) spending $500 for that light setup.

[pro-five-oh]

I'll check if the Conti has them. I doubt it.

I drool when I think about putting those HIDs on my Conti...but it really needs other things right now.

Compared to my 1993 Mark VII and even my big-eyed Cougar, the 4 square headlights are far superior in my book. Not only is the beam focused and powerful, the replacements are less than $10 each!

I installed some crappy 55w lights into the Mark VIII's grille, but they aren't cuttin' it. I think about the HID conversion but I don't know if its worth it. Whatever.

[ekooke]

Pro-five-oh, if you have a Mark VIII, the HID headlights are worth it, every penny. I bought my '94 over the 'Net, flew 600 miles to pick it up, and drove it home, mostly at night. As soon as I left the city lights behind, it got real scary; I was afraid for my life to drive over 40 mph with just the low beams on. I started looking for '96 factory HIDs the next day, and in about 3 weeks, I could to see to drive again at night. The total conversion cost me nearly a $1,000, but I'd do it again, if necessary.

[pro-five-oh]

Ekooke, would you be interested in doing a write-up on the HID conversion for the Mark VIII to be put in the TECH section???

I for one would really appreciate it. smile.gif

[DaKat]

quote:Originally posted by pro-five-oh:
Ekooke, would you be interested in doing a write-up on the HID conversion for the Mark VIII to be put in the TECH section???

I for one would really appreciate it. smile.gif

Me too! :D

[ekooke]

P.S., This is one of my favorite write-ups on the 93-96 Mark VIII HID conversion: http://thehittles.com/my-mark-viii/hid/index.html

[SNOOP]

Thanks for the help guys! I'll be checking out the local auto recyclering yards this weekend.

**One more question though, how do you take off the rear interior door panels?

quote:Originally posted by JustinMarkVII:
Hmm... 1990 Continental problems...

Isn't a 1990 Continental just basically one big problem itself? ;)

I personally don't think so. A 1990 Lincoln Continental is a good used car for the price. You can't get a car of that size with the same features for that much.

[ October 17, 2002: Message edited by: SNOOP ]

[ October 17, 2002: Message edited by: SNOOP ]

[pro-five-oh]

SNOOP, unfortunately none of the "regulars" on this board have a 1988-1994 Continental in our possession. I told myself that I'd buy a Ford shop manual from 1988 sometime to get this information...but I haven't yet.

My advice is to try removing one from a Conti or Taurus in the junkyard and no break yours up. There will be a few hidden screws on all Ford panels. Once you know where they are, removing the panel will take less than 5 minutes! smile.gif