Questions and Answers

Crown Victoria Police Interceptor Q. Hello Vincent: You have helped me with a hot starter on my Nissan, Now for a real challenge!! I have a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor V-8 281 4.6 liter VIN W SFI 111,000 on the body, 20,000 on the block and rear axle. I have the following questions/problems:

1. Engine warning light came on after 50 miles of use. Battery fully charged, may need a fan clutch, But what would cause this? And what is the best brand of code scanner? Can I "reset" this light?
2. Electrical: Hazard lights don't function. Turn signals do. When the hazard light is actuated and the brakes applied only the top rear head lamp goes on. NOTE: additional flasher unit in trunk for inner trunk hazard lights.
3. Electrical: Cruise control not functioning. We have the five buttons on the wheel but that's it. Is it even equipped?
4. Horn will not function.
5. Skid plate: There is a skid plate over the oil pan with two large nuts. Is this a standard police add on and can I remove the nuts to get to the oil drain pan or do I need to lift the car?
6. The car seems to hesitate at around 25-35 mph. I think this is transmission related problem, but not sure what to look for in a electronic manual transmission.

This is just a start unfortunately and I think I made a big mistake.

Best regards, and thanks,
Russell

A. I don't think you made a mistake Russ. There's nothing here that $4,000.00 or $5,000.00 won't fix.

1. "Engine Warning Light"? Was this a Check Engine Light (MIL) or an overheat warning? I'm just a dumb mechanic from Jersey, you need to be more specific.

2. To check the hazard switch, unplug the Multi-Function Switch connector. Now turn the hazard switch ON and, with an ohmmeter, check for continuity between the light blue wire (44) and the white/light blue (2), light green/white (3) orange/light blue (5) and light green/orange (9) respectively. Check for power at the light blue wire at the connector. If there is no power there, then you have a bad Lighting Control Module, an open in the wiring or a burnt out fuse #1.

3. The one thing these two circuits share is the clockspring in the steering wheel. Since the air bags are tied into the system as well, I would let the dealer look at it.

4. See 3.

5. That skid plate is a Police add-on. You can remove it completely if you wish.

6. Hmm... never heard of an electronic manual transmission. Probably related to 1.