85 ltc

[LSE_Dave]

What is CHMSL ?

If one of the motors works, the power circuit works. Either the switch itself is flukey inside or all 3 of those motors are dinked. Not impossible that its some of each. The master switch has to be good or the individual switches do nothing, and the individual switches must be good for the master to work. Most of the time if something is going to get dumb its the main one though. I've had reasonable luck pulling them out, peeling back the rubber seal and cleaning them with contact cleaner. Sometimes you have to actually fish paper between the contacts and polish them if they get real crusty. There is an upper and a lower one, getting the lower one is not easy but it can be done if you're patient. Helps to take out the rocker itself for better access. Put a small dab of silicone grease in there where the rocker pivots, you'll see where I mean if you pull it out.

CHMSL = Center High Mount Stop Lamp, the stop light in the back window.

I checked the master switch and have power to all windows at all positions, so I'm sure a couple of motors are bad. I still need to check voltage at the motor plug but I'm hoping a new motor and some lube here and there will get things working again.

But I have more important things I should work on like the coolant leak, the broken door handle, and dead speedometer.

[gadget73]

Ah. Us simple folk just call that a third brake light. And no, that isn't a factory piece, or at least not one used on any 80s Lincoln I have seen.

[DerekTheGreat]

...Either the switch itself is flukey inside or all 3 of those motors are dinked...

That's how my car was on the passenger side, only it was the power locks button. I just kept working the button left and right until the crusties decided to move out. Works good now.

[79lincolnlover]

Good luck with this project.

[LSE_Dave]

Good luck with this project.

Thanks.
I have a bunch of parts in the mail, including a center tail light assembly.

[DerekTheGreat]

That looks purty good. The two donor cars I had in mind were crushed, which also meant Ashley's '89 TC had to give up her cornering lamp to my '88. I'm still interested in those wheel covers you have. Let me know when you don't need them.

[LSE_Dave]

That looks purty good. The two donor cars I had in mind were crushed, which also meant Ashley's '89 TC had to give up her cornering lamp to my '88. I'm still interested in those wheel covers you have. Let me know when you don't need them.

They're in my trunk waiting for you.




I drove it to work today and did some work on her.





Think I figured out why the speedo doesn't work...
and where the exhaust leak is.


Something else interesting...
3.55s and duels





-Oil change with Motorcraft 5w30, and an FL400 filter
-Installed "new" wheels
-Inspected steering/suspension and brakes, it will need some steering parts and front wheel bearings
-Replaced fuel filter, air filter, and water pump bypass hose. Still need to pressure test the coolant system
-Topped off the rear diff, 1/2qt

[gadget73]

3.55 open rear? New one on me, usually the 3.55 came with a traction lock as part of the tow package.

5w30 might be a little thin for that, and an FL400 isn't the right filter. 10w30 and FL1A is what they specified.

[LSE_Dave]

5w30 might be a little thin for that, and an FL400 isn't the right filter. 10w30 and FL1A is what they specified.

There was a TSB issued a while back where Ford recommended using 5w30 in these engines so that's what I'll use, and the FL400 is simply a smaller filter, it fits just fine.
The 1A, 400, and 910 share the same thread pitch and gasket size.

[jaywish]

I can't remember what the locker tag looks like. What does it say on the door sticker?

[LSE_Dave]

I can't remember what the locker tag looks like. What does it say on the door sticker?

[gadget73]

2 is an open. The axle tag would say 3L55 if it was a traction lock model. K is the door sticker code for 3.55 traction lock. I presume 2 is the open code.

[LSE_Dave]

Put about 30 miles on it yesterday and somehow it didn't use any coolant. Had 2 keys cut, and took the factory wheels to storage.

[Mainemantom]

I like the wheels. Car is making progress. I wonder what law enforcement thinks when they see your plates. I am surprised an attorney has not taken that plate for their own. Maybe they are too busy chasing ambulances in Ca.

[L1011tristar17]

I like the wheels. Car is making progress. I wonder what law enforcement thinks when they see your plates. I am surprised an attorney has not taken that plate for their own. Maybe they are too busy chasing ambulances in Ca.

I don't think Kansas requires front plates, so you can have souvenir plates on the front. North Carolina is the same way too.