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Lincoln Repair Questions and Answers


 

Answer: In a way, the manual is right and so is the dealer. Your car is equipped with a knock sensor that adjusts the timing to the octane of fuel that is being used. The higher the octane, the better the performance you will get out of your engine.

Question:  1998 Lincoln Towncar  mileage: 156,000. The blower motor keeps blowing a fuse after a few minutes of running. In addition, some kind of fog comes out of the vents when driving even though the system is not on. Can I repair this myself?

Answer:  The blower motor problem may be something as simple as to small an amp fuse or the blower motor is shorting out and the motor needing replacement. The fog coming out of the vents is probably the result of a small coolant leak in the heater core.

Question: 1997 Lincoln Town Car  mileage: 155,000.  We have recently replaced the radiator, water pump and various hoses in my car because of an overheating problem.  Now it will go for a few days without a problem, then my heater will start blowing cold air.  The overflow is full of antifreeze.  Once we drain this out, and put back into the radiator, everything runs smooth again for a few more days. Why is it doing this? It is not losing any fluid as the amount drained from the overflow fills the radiator again.  

Answer:  The cooling system in your car should automatically pull the coolant into the radiator as the engine cools.  You possibly have a faulty or incorrect radiator cap or you may have a small leak somewhere in the cooling system allowing air back into the cooling system as the engine cools off.  The cooling system must be air-tight in order to pull the coolant out of the overflow reservoir. 

Question: 1996 Lincoln Town Car 460 mileage: 60,000. Guessing at the engine size, but it is a v-8. My question is brake related. When cruising at almost any speed, all of the sudden the car seems to brake, and even has a burned brake smell from the front left after driving a moderate distance. The garage put it on a diagnostic check and found the left front brake sensor to be bad. I replaced this at a cost of $280. The problem is not fixed. Oh, by the way, this car has anti-locks. And, I failed to mention, that when it is braking (on it's own) all you have to do is tap the brake pedal and the brakes will release. This is definitely annoying. I took it back and now they feel it is the transmission not going to overdrive, so they did a tranny flush for $89.00 It still does the same thing. Could it be the rubber brake hose collapsing internally? They think not!

Answer: From what you have described however, we believe that the ABS unit needs to be replaced. Be prepared, they run about $1200.00.

Question: 1995 Lincoln Town Car: Though your list is rather complete, I noted Keyless Entry was omitted. Was searching to learn why my Keyless Entry works on all 3 doors & trunk but fails to work on the Driver Door. To unlock the Driver Door, I must use the physical key lock. In addition, the code for punching the entry numbers (when without a key) does not work. All worked fine until car returned from vehicle clean-up shop. Wonder what could cause this malfunction & where to begin to correct problem?

Answer: Check the actuator in the driver's door it appears that is non-operational and needs to be replaced.

Question: 1994 Lincoln Towncar V-8 mileage: 96,000. This morning my car was vandalized. Gas was sucked out of my tank. It was full but they took about 1/2 tank. I drove the car to my office and it died out several times. I took it to the dealership and they hooked it up the computer and said it was fine. Later in route to my office it died again, a fellow employee loosened the gas cap to discover that there had been sugar put in the tank. Now the car won't start. What can be done, if anything? Please help.

Answer: The fuel injectors are probably plugged. You will have to go through the fuel system, starting with the tank and going forward. Additionally, contact your insurance company to see if you have vandalism insurance.

Question: 1989 Lincoln Mark VII 5.0 mileage: 60,000. I can't fill the tank. The nozzle keeps clicking off. I took off the vapor recovery line at the tank, didn't help. I can't find the vent line.

Answer: Your car should be equipped with a vent hose located right next to the main fill pipe. When you find it, check to make sure it is not kinked or plugged.

Question: 1993 Lincoln Continental 3.8 V6 mileage: 86,000. The car needs a rear-end alignment. Is this possible on this type of Continental? It is a front-wheel drive. Thank you for your advice. Karl

Answer: Yes, it is possible to align the rear wheels. Most alignment shops have the equipment for four-wheel alignment.

Question:  1987 Lincoln Continental V-8 mileage: 100,000.  I have air shocks on my car. They do not seem to be working correctly.  Is there a way to bypass the pump and pump them up annually, then cap them off?  Please let me know ASAP.

Answer:   We do not know of any way to by-pass the pump for your air shocks.  The problem may be the air shocks themselves are leaking and need to be replaced.

Answer:  When one air shock is bad, the likelihood that the others are close behind is high.  Therefore, changing all four units while you have the car in is generally good practice.  If you want to replace the one bad shock, just be aware that you will probably have to replace the other three very shortly thereafter.

Question:  1987 Lincoln Continental 5.0 mileage: 98,000.  I am trying to find where the PCV valve is located. I checked the valve covers and the plenum, and I cannot locate it.

Answer:    It is under the plenum.

Question:  1993 Lincoln town car.  Where can I get the best price for the air suspension parts I am in need of: the air compressor, two air bags?  I have been told I will spend $1000.00 very easily.  Please help if you know a place in Houston that will be reasonable.

Answer:  Sorry we do not know any place for a good deal, we would just shop around.  Try the local Lincoln dealer, they may surprise you.

Question:  1992 Lincoln Cont. V-6 mileage: 96,000  The warning beep continues to go off on the warning gauge for low oil pressure.  The bars drop down to one and after driving awhile, it will go back up.  The beeping is very consistent now.  I have had it checked twice by a Lincoln agent.  They have told me that it is OK to drive and it is in the electrical system.   I asked them to disconnect it, as the noise is very bothersome.  They said if I did, it would cut off all the gauges.  It started doing this at 89,000 miles and they said it would not hurt the car.  I replaced the oil-sending unit anyway but it did not help.   Any suggestions?

Answer:   First test the engine oil pressure by removing the sending unit and temporarily installing a mechanical oil gauge.  Run the engine and note pressure at normal engine temperature; at idle 15 to 20 pounds is okay.  Raise the engine speed to approximately 2000 rpm.  The pressure should be 40 to 50 pounds.  If the readings you get are lower, you may have internal engine problems.  If all is okay with the engine oil pressure, then the instrument module may be your problem.

Question:  1980 Lincoln Continental Towncar  mileage: 195,000.  We recently replaced heater core and t-stat. Had intermittent heat, now none and hear thrust of water movement upon ignition. AC works, but only cool air when calling for heat.  Any advice you have to offer will be appreciated.

Answer:   Recheck vacuum hoses.  From what you describe, one or two got mixed up or left off when the heater core was replaced.

Question:  1988 Lincoln Town Car 5.1 liter mileage: 189,000.  I was driving along and all of a sudden, the car just died.  When I pulled over and lifted the hood, one of the wires on the wiring harness was burned and had fallen off.  After we replaced the wire from the fuseable link to the harness, the car started but only ran a block or two then died and wouldn't start again.  We finally got it home, and replaced the fuel relay and the fuel filter.   Now it will not start at all.  Any ideas before I go crazy?

Answer:   You need to find the reason why the wire that you replaced shorted out.  Just replacing the wire and not locating the problem may be why the car will not start now.

Question:  1993 Lincoln Town Car v-8 mileage: 82,000.  When I accelerate at a slight rate or go up an upgrade while in cruise control my car cuts out.  If I push down on the pedal, I have good response or while on flat ground just maintaining speed - no problem.  I recently replaced the plugs, but that didn't make much difference.  What should I do?

Answer:   Check cruise control module.  It may be the culprit.

Question:  My mother in-law’s 1981 Continental dies when going around corners or approaching a stop sign. The car is fuel injected, serviced regularly. Switching to higher-grade fuel seemed to help but the problem persists. Your help would be appreciated. Thanks, Joe.

Answer: If a major tune-up has not been done recently, this could be the cause of your problem. Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and air filters, etc. Also, replace the oxygen sensor. In addition, service the fuel injection system. Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages.

Question:  1989 Lincoln continental V-8_mileage: 120,000: Our front air shocks are leaking and we have been told you can repair them instead of replacing them. They inject a liquid that slowing gels and seals the leaks. Do you have any idea what type of product they use to do this?

Answer: We are not familiar with any product like the kind you mentioned.

Question:  1986 Lincoln Towncar mileage: 112,000. The alternator went out and I replaced that. After I put the new alternator in, the car won't start. It turns over but it's not getting any spark. I replaced the coil and checked all the fusible links. The car will start if I run a wire from the positive side of the battery to the positive side of the coil. Can you give me any advise to go from there I'd greatly appreciate it.

Answer: Sounds like an ignition switch has failed.

Question:  1990 Lincoln Continental 3.8 mileage: 120,000. The DCL indicator came on in the diagnostics screen. What is it, what does it mean, and how do I fix it?

Answer:  We assume the DCL indicator you refer too is short for "driver caution light." Below the diagnostics screen should be a small button to press. The screen will then tell you what the problem is for example, tail light bulb out, parking light failed, etc. Your owner’s manual should have more information on this system.

Question:  I have a 1989 Lincoln Continental with 125,000 miles on it. Occasionally I will find some coolant under the car; it does not leak a lot. I checked all hoses, water pump and radiator but could not find any leak but I do see the timing chain cover is wet. Can you help me to solve this problem?

Answer:  A leaking intake manifold gasket or timing chain cover gasket may be causing your coolant problem. Occasionally the chain cover corrodes and leaks. 

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