Electrical Problems

Tiny
LIONSMANSAM1
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I am experiencing a handful of electrical problems with my car. A while back the blinkers slowly stopped working as it used to be one to ten times starting the car they did not work to every two to five until they stopped all together. Along with those the A/C/heat system and reverse lights no longer work. Now the radio and power windows are going through what the blinkers did. Most of the time starting the car they work but they slowly are not working together. On a separate note (this is probably electrical too) but the car will not stay running. The car was plagued with a low idle for a very long time and now it starts and immediately dies. I figured out that for it to stay running you have to start the car, but hold the key in the start position (the most forward it will go) and it runs. If you let go of the key, it shuts off. All the fuses look good and none of this was a problem a year ago. Not sure where the issue is. Thanks! Sam
Monday, January 9th, 2017 AT 4:03 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hey LION,

It sounds like you have an ignition switch that is going out, this is a common problem on older cars due to the amperage draw that has been pulled through the switch after all these years, here is a diagram on where the switch is and the connector. Please remove the connector and look for signs for heat damage.

Please let me know what you find, sorry for the slow response.

Best, Ken
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Saturday, January 14th, 2017 AT 11:20 PM
Tiny
LIONSMANSAM1
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks for the info. I got some feedback from a friend the other day and he leaned toward a failed ballast resistor. Would the ignition switch issue be the cause for the several electrical failures and slowly failing electrical problems. Thanks!
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Monday, January 16th, 2017 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hey LIONSMANSAM1,

Your car does not have a ballast resistor. It sounds more like the ignition switch.

Best, Ken
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Tuesday, January 17th, 2017 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
LIONSMANSAM1
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks for the info Ken. I have never replaced an ignition switch before but I will give that a try. Also thank you for the diagram. Do you think that the electrical issues I have are because of the ignition switch (the radio/windows failing and other accessories no longer working)? Thanks!
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Thursday, January 19th, 2017 AT 3:34 PM

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