Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Electrical Tech => Topic started by: cugrhntr on December 22, 2010, 01:07:59 AM

Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: cugrhntr on December 22, 2010, 01:07:59 AM
Well the other day, I was driving home from work and my stereo died, the numbers on my speedo were gone and my power door locks don't work.  A week ago my alternator went so I replaced it, and I was running a fm transmitter off my laptop to my stereo.  Any ideas?



Thanks

Eric
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: Live Fast on December 22, 2010, 04:21:35 AM
sounds like you blew a fusable link somewhere
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: CoogarXR on December 22, 2010, 07:13:06 AM
Or the ignition switch, believe it or not. I had the same symptom in two cougars, and both were the ignition switch. Not the key hole, the electrical switch on the underside of the column.

Check the fuses first, but if all else fails, I vote ignition switch.
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: vinnietbird on December 22, 2010, 07:46:10 AM
A bad ignition switch also caused those issues in the Sport not long after I got it. A few dollars and a few minutes later,all good.
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: BadTriumph on December 22, 2010, 08:04:13 AM
I HATE electrical gremlins!!
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: cugrhntr on December 22, 2010, 08:30:17 AM
Never thought of the ignition,  any way to troubleshoot it?
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: jpc647 on December 22, 2010, 11:44:54 AM
Replace it. If it's bad, we all know what the ford ignition switches can do...
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: cugrhntr on December 22, 2010, 12:30:50 PM
sounds like a plan.  thanks everyone

Eric
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: Live Fast on December 22, 2010, 02:32:32 PM
The ignition switch is only about $13 and about 15-20mins of work.
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: cugrhntr on December 24, 2010, 02:03:08 PM
I went to the local canadian tire, they kid behind the counter wasnt sure what I was talking about, kept telling me that the only ignition switch is the one that you put your key in.  did i miss understand and this is the one you are all talking about?  Or is there another name for it?

Thanks all and Merry Christmas
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: hypostang on December 24, 2010, 02:10:23 PM
http://thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/documents/tech/1988-1989IgnitionSwitch.pdf

http://thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/documents/tech/1984ignitionSwitch.pdf

look at those links , they are Markvii , but our cars are very similar
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: turbo_88_XR7 on December 24, 2010, 02:11:22 PM
lol that kid is stupid.. what you put your key in is the ignition lock cylinder or ignition tumbler as some call it.. the switch is behind that
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: cugrhntr on December 24, 2010, 03:10:43 PM
awsome, thanks gents,  Ill take a look at those links when i get done work, darned work computer keeps saying its blocked bc of spyware/malware sources; vehicles.
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: cugrhntr on January 22, 2011, 02:47:22 PM
well, I FINALLY got around to changing the switch today and no difference, I am going to tear into it again next time I get a chance to see make sure its plugged in all the way. (time is scarce right now) In the mean time, any other ideas?

Thanks

Eric
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: cugrhntr on January 22, 2011, 02:49:12 PM
also, power mirrors arnt working is there a set location of all fusable links (a map or chart saying what acc. are on each link?)

Thanks
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: CoogarXR on January 22, 2011, 03:32:40 PM
Was it the original stereo, or an aftermarket?

I just wonder if it was an aftermarket, something might have shorted out in the wiring job.
Title: 87 cougar got attacked by a gremlin
Post by: cugrhntr on January 22, 2011, 04:32:33 PM
fuse number 8 controls Courtesy Lamps, Key Warning Buzzer, Illuminated Entry Module, Glove Box Lamp, Door Lock Relays, Radio Memory, Cluster Memory, Outside Mirrors, Tripminder Module, buttstuffog Clock, Anti-Theft Relay.  changed the fuse and everything works again.  The ignition switch I pulled was bad and I am just wondering if when that ped out, if it would have taken the fuse with it?

Thanks for everyones help along the way!

Eric