climate control and dash problems

[reidw82]

Okay, first of all, my dash lights go dim when I turn my headlights on. Is that just a short in the switch or..?

Also, my climate control seems to be working, but I'm not sure because the fan won't blow. Do you think this is just a blower motor?

Help, suggestions greatly appreciated

Thanks

[reidw82]

it might help to let you know that it's a 93 Continental Executive

[MichiganTeddyBear]

ok, 1st the light dimming... ummm yea, it supposed to drop the dash lights to a lower brightness (controlled by the dimmer knob near headlight switch) when the headlights/parking lights are on. only other thing I can think of is a alt/regulator starting to crap, or bad connection to the battery or elsewhere in the charging circuit.

the heater/blower motor problem.. if your trying to get heat, the blower motor will NOT run untill the sensor in the heater hose gets warm enough. if it wont run regardless of position, some more diagnosing is in order, but it could be blower motor, fuse, eatc module.... list goes on. Also it depends on whether or not its in 'auto mode' or not. the fan speed will be varied automatically depending on heat/cool requirement in automode. you could have a bad blower motor speed control also.

[reidw82]

I realize the lights are supposed to go dim, but I can't see them at all at night. I just wondered if it was a good possibility it was something in the switch. At least that way I could easily fix it myself without ruining something

As far as the climate control goes, I'm trying to get a/c. I will crank the fan to see if it comes on and nothing happens. Thanks for the help, though

[MichiganTeddyBear]

ok.. you have full brightness with lights off... and no/too dim with lights on.. either the dimmer control near headlight switch (real easy to replace.. about 5 mins tops), or the PWM module which is what actually drives most of the lights.. its buried in the dash someplace (dont remember off top of my head).. this is of course assuming ALL the fuses are good, I seem to remember there being 2 or 3 of them in that circuit.

the blower motor could be the motor itself, the speed controller (I think its mounted on the motor housing), the EATC (not nearly as likely) and of course, blown fuse(s).

[reidw82]

it's possible that just the dimmer switch itself will go out? hmm that's kind of funny I took a ride tonite and was thinking about it.. when I got home I checked the dimmer switch thinking maybe that was it. Do you think it's still a possibility even if that switch will turn on the interior lights?

Thanks

Also thanks for the help on the blower motor I'll check it out

[MichiganTeddyBear]

yea, its actually got a switch inside for the interior lights, so its possible to have the variable resistor inside go bad and the interior lights work.

I would try that guy first (will most likely be cheapest and easiest to replace), then after that it might be a PWM module..

[Fordace]

look for bad solder joints on the blower motor relay, it's INSIDE on your Conti.....under the glove box area

whaz up MTB, what's going on these days....anything good ?

Rich


http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00062.html

[MichiganTeddyBear]

/hijack on...

not much Fordace... trying to fight off the wasps that have taken up residence in the 2 conti's so I can get one on the road again.. and getting ready to move... will be loosing the 5 acres and barn I can't use cause its stuffed, and gaining no monthly payments to anyone! woohoo! I am gonna have to find a place to work on the beasts tho, they wont allow it were I am going. (moving in with a friend).

/hijack off now

I think the relay your talking about and the speed control I am talking may be the same thing... hell I dunno anymore... my brain is on overload/fried out mode these days.. I can probably list 50+ changes between the 90 and 91 on little crap that means nothing but makes them NOT interchangable.. grrrrrrrrrrrrr... at least the main reason I got the parts car is still good! LOL

[reidw82]

thanks guys I'll check it out

check out my new thread, I have another problem

[continental]

Hi I was curious if you tried replacing the dimmer switch and whether that solved the problem with you display being completely dimmed out when your headlights are on. I just started having the same problem on my 1990 continental over the weekend, and am hoping its an easy/cheap fix.