New to this site with an 86 Grand Marquis

[jwhiteker]

Hi everyone, Justin from San Antonio, TX here! I came to this site to get advice from fellow Grand Marquis owners as well as help out when I can. I have a 1986 Grand Marquis LS that I got from my grandmother late last year. It only has about 47k original miles on it as of this posting Here are some pictures I took of it last year:

The main problem I am having right now is the fuel gauge. It seems to work fine as long as the weather outside is hot, but when it's cold it just stays on E with the Low Fuel light on. I checked the plug that connects to the sending unit on the fuel tank and cleaned it but that didn't fix the problem. If the float was sunk it wouldn't work in hot or cold weather would it? Any ideas on what else the problem might be would be of great help!

[86VickyLX]

What happens when you jump the two pins on the sending unit plug?

[johnunit]

Nice car! It looks to be in very good condition. If your main issue is a wonky fuel gauge you're ahead of the game.

[V8GrandMarquis]

Nice car! It looks to be in very good condition. If your main issue is a wonky fuel gauge you're ahead of the game.

Haha +1

Car is mint.

[jwhiteker]

I'll get back to you on that 86VickyLX when I try that out. Thanks Johnunit, it was always parked in a covered carport so that helped keep the vinyl top and dash in good condition. It does have some other "cosmetic" issues to be worked out, such as the front passenger side door lock slider is stuck, both back seat power windows don't work, and it has a weird electrical glitch going on. The trunk light, overhead map lights, vanity mirror lights will only work when the back right side door is open >.> As soon as you close it, any of those lights that are on will turn off. I don't see how the door light switch button would affect any of those other things.

[84merc951]

welcome to the fourm!!

[jwhiteker]

Thanks 84merc, and 86Vicky I jumped the two pins and the fuel gauge goes straight to Full, take the jump out and it drops down to E again.

[87gtVIC]

Welcome Justin. Nice ride you have there. Enjoy it.

[fmansfield444]

That dash pad looks flawless, wish I could find one that was that good

[sly]

Welcome. Your 86 looks way better than my 88. My 88 used to have the hood stripes too... but they've long since faded/flaked off.

[jwhiteker]

So by jumping the plug for the fuel sender and the fuel gauge going up to Full is that just to verify that the gauge is working properly and the problem might be in the sender?

[79lincolnlover]

Welcome The hood stripes are a nice touch.

[chitownvic]

Welcome to the party.. Car is gorgeous man

[jwhiteker]

Thanks for the comments on the car! My grandmother always having it parked in the carport at her house really helped keep the paint and vinyl top in good condition. I need to start putting something on the dash pad and vinyl top now though since at my house I don't have a covered parking spot for it. Any suggestions on what's good to use on the vinyl top and dash pad?

[sly]

I would suggest 303 Aerospace Protectant.

http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/1/303-aerospace-protectant.cfm

you might also get the leather/vinyl cleaner as well. I use those on my Mark to keep the time it does spend in the sun from killing the leather and vinyl.