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Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis

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What is this discussion about? Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Exterior, Sedan

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#2227 of 3244 Temp Gauge by hotrodlincoln1 Mar 28, 2004 (8:07 am)
I'm pretty sure you would still have a check engine light if the sensors were bad, or not talking to the computer. This leads me to believe it is probably the gauge, or a bad connection somewhere between the gauge and the sensors. Get out the multimeter and start testing.   PS: I hate under dash electrical work. It's very hard on the back.
#2228 of 3244 95 Marquis Lug Nuts by cat3126 Mar 31, 2004 (7:04 am)
I have a 95 Marquis that the lug nuts were the wrong taper, They are for steel rims and not for the aluminum wheels with hub caps that came with the car.These lug nuts caused damge to the aluminum rims.The car has only 54K miles on it.I,m going to replace the aluminum rims with steel. When you check the parts list,the only nut that is available for aluminum wheels is a chrome plated lug nut for $6.00 ea.It is cheaper to buy the steel rims.
#2229 of 3244 That's nuts by hotrodlincoln1 Mar 31, 2004 (8:16 am)
Thanks for the heads up. I, for one didn't know the lug nuts were different between the steelies and the alloys, and I used to work in a tire shop.
#2231 of 3244 Advice... by 96pathfind Apr 06, 2004 (9:28 am)
I hope someone on this board can give me some re older Grand Marquis. Currently own a '96 pathfinder, used to tow a small (16' aluminum) boat- approx 1300# total wt. Came across what appears to be a darn near mint condition '85 Grand Marquis LS sedan w/ 97,000 miles on it, "make an offer". I'm considering doing just that, but before I do... Anyone have any experience towing a boat with one of these? Any slick boat ramp problems considering the RWD? Any advice on problem areas I should look at on the car that might not be obvious to the uninitiated? This appears to be a viable solution to towing with my gas hogging, mega-bucks-to-repair SUV.
#2232 of 3244 Big Merc acting up by drknuckles Apr 06, 2004 (7:36 pm)
I bought a 98 Grand Marquis from a dealer..paid way too much..but I wanted a big safe car for the kids and be able to have a little fun myself on the freeways...anyway 3 questions...are the brakes as bad as everyone sz they are (as far as maitanance cost) and if I go over a speed bump slowly I hear a loud squeaking from the suspension (shocks or springs?) also the tranny is alittle touchy shifting gears..is this a normal quirk or just my luck??
#2233 of 3244 RE.Big Merc by cat3126 Apr 07, 2004 (6:20 am)
I have a 95 GM with 57K on it.The suspension noises you hear are most likely ball joints and tie rod ends.Fords are notorious for failure of these components especially where alot of road salt is used. I had to replace the entire system.I replaced all four rotors at 40K. My wife who drives the car does not brake hard enough to keep the pads and rotors in condition.I drive the car once a month and lay on the brakes very hard two or three times. Had the brakes checked they are still like new.The transmission hardness you feel is probably early stages of the torque converter failing.My torque converter failed at 51K. I was told that the failure of the torque converter was caused by not changing the oil in the converter when I changed the transmission fluid.
#2234 of 3244 85merc by hotrodlincoln1 Apr 07, 2004 (9:22 am)
The box bodies are rated to tow 5000 pounds. However, the 85's only have about 130 horsepower (180 or so with the 5.8 engine). They have enough torque (around 270 ft-lbs for the base engine) to tow a 1300 lb boat anywhere, but keep it out of overdrive and don't be expect to win any races.   I haven't towed with my car, but I have towed with a similarly set up (and underpowered) '80 Cadillac. It got the job done, but I didn't have to take the U-Haul to a boat ramp. I would think it would have no worse traction than a 2WD pickup.   As far as issues:   1. The OD band in the AOD trans is a notorious weak point. If you drive the car, and it slips going into overdrive, you either have a problem with the OD band or...   2. The TV (Throttle Valve) linkage (a rod on the 85's IIRC) must be properly adjusted or the trans will self-destruct very quickly. Symptoms are generally slippage and soft early shifts.   3. If the transmission fluid isn't clean and red, expect to do a rebuild soon. The good news is that an AOD rebuild is relatively cheap (~$600 at a good independent shop).   4. If the water pump hasn't been replaced yet, expect to do it soon. The part costs $20-60, depending on whether you buy new or rebuilt. The labor is a pain.   5. It's a 19 year old car. It WILL have some sort of mechanical issues. Most likely it will have power window/lock issues, need a tuneup, probably tires if it's been sitting. Maybe brakes, etc.   I don't want to discourage you, but if you don't do your own work, these cars are money pits. If you do your own work, they are great, cheap, comfortable transportation. If you decide you want more than 130 hp, as in way more than 130, that isn't hard either.   Oh yes, price. I bought an '86 Town Car with 96k and one dent for $1600. For a perfectly straight car with good paint that runs good, I might go a little over 2000. Any car that runs is worth $500. BTW, '86 and later 5.0's have SEFI in place of CFI (looks like a carburetor) and about 20 more horsepower.   Sorry for the book.
#2235 of 3244 One more thing by hotrodlincoln1 Apr 07, 2004 (9:26 am)
The heater core is probably bad, or will be soon. This is another cheap ($50) but hard to replace part.
#2236 of 3244 85 mercury... by 96pathfind Apr 08, 2004 (6:36 am)
Thanks! Exactly the info I needed. I'm gonna pass on the '85, and keep my eyes and ears open for a later model wagon, preferably with factory tow package. I do much of my own work, but if I'm gonna have to put that much effort into it I want the wagon for the extra space. Wouldn't hurt to have the extra HP of a newer model, either.

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