I received your message, but I still have the problem of not being able to send a reply (and can't figure out why), so on the face of what you've told me, you need to look at all the door jamb switches and wiring, all the interior door switches mounted on the door latches first. Make sure you have no shorts to ground. Then, it sounds like you have a second problem, in the fact that the module isn't timing out. Ensure all eight switches are physically closed and making contact--the module should then time out the lights. Let me know how it goes. Oh, and getting the wiring diagram is necessary to verify there isn't something else on the system you don't know about. I can't tell you how many times I've found something in a circuit's design I had no idea was there.
That's okay...the more the merrier, I say. Besides, making a thread on this might give someone who had a similar problem be able to chime in.
Patrick has an '85 Grand Marq LS that has a problem with the automatic interior lights. After tackling a broken door switch, the interior and door lock lights still stay on after the doors are closed, instead of timing out.
Wouldn't the same timer circuit use or share the delay on those higher end front courtesy lights like on the old Mercury Parklanes and Lincolns? My guess is a bum relay, under the hood, on the passenger side.
A reply to Patrick80's PM My name is not Patrick80. Me neither but I saw others checked in and I had to be nosey. Sorry I cant' help. But hopefully I made it a little merrier.
Thanks, Hobo. I figured it was the relay. I've got power to all eight switches. Now, I have to find that beast, I've heard that it's either behind the passenger side kick panel, or under the dash, near the ash tray receiver.
If googling it yields no luck, go to your local library and look in an electrical parts locator. The electrical diagram will yield what the relay is called.
Hey Hobo, new Ford problem for you! It's on the wagon this time. On my '86 Country Squire (5.0L, 78K miles), things went to hell on me this afternoon. I drove it home from work (eight miles) and the car ran great, as normal. One hour later, I went to start it, and it was harder to start than normal. Took two pulls on the starter, then it started. Idled like crap! It went low, then high, then low again, in a rhythmic cadence. I put it in gear, and it continued to run the same way. I pulled it back in the garage and drove the Mercury, instead, which is running like a champ! Over the past month or so, it has taken about five seconds or more to start, whether hot or cold outside; and a warm or cold start made no difference, either. Today is the worse the car has ran. I didn't notice any smoke, smells, or noises out of the ordinary. No lights come on (check engine, oil, alternator) while it's running. Any ideas???
Check fuel pressure first off. When was the fuel filter last changed? One of the problems MPFI/SEFI has is loss of fuel in the rail on a hot soak (the fuel vaporizes, then pushes past the FPR); low fuel pressure exacerbates the problem. Try this as a quick check: when the engine's hot from an hour's sit, turn the key on for 2 seconds, then back off for 5 seconds and repeat twice more. Once done, crank the engine; if it still idles poorly, I would look at fuel pressure right off the bat. If it doesn't, then look at the IAC. The '87 CV I had a long time ago had a similar problem; after verifying fuel pressure, I pulled and cleaned the IAC. Worked fine for a couple months before it up and quit.
I'll check that out. I have not changed the fuel filter in the year and a half of my ownership; and with the low mileage of the car, I would not be surprised if I find the original filter still in place!
I replaced the fuel filter this afternoon, and it started a little better today. No up-and-down of the idle this time. Drove it about ten miles with two stops, with no issues. I just performed the key on & off test and restarted the car, and it started fine. Sounds like the IAC might be the culprit, from your description. Thanks for the info!
Yah velcome! Also, do a throttle body cleaning and pull off the EGR for a cleaning of it and its passages. It'll definitely help.
