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3720
Number: 3719
From: "SNP Marq"
Date: Mon Oct 6, 2003 9:08 am
Subject: Re: [ASC McLaren ] Underhood Light
Body:
Re: [ASC McLaren ] Underhood Light
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Actually, I would tend to check the connection at the fuse, where the 'metal contacts' come in contact with the fuse. I have seen many over the years that have gone 'green' and literally disintegrated - or formed enough of the green patina to break the connectivity between the wire and the fuse.
This becomes even more pronounced over the years.
On the 'Firebirds' there is an interesting twist on this story, but I don't think it applies to Mustangs ( errrmm.. McLarens ). On the Firebirds, the circuit that powers the pop-up lights has a 'hidden' or 'inline' fuse. This is not like a normal fuse that you simply swap out and replace. The fuse is embedded INSIDE the wire. When it blows there is no physical evidence to show you that a fuse has blown - other than the fact that your headlamps no longer go up or down. I had searched the entire circuit, volt testing the whole thing and I could not figure out what had gone wrong. The motors for the pop-up lamps worked, the circuit for the switch was working, etc etc. I finally gave up as I had exhausted every possible thing that could be affecting the electricity to the headlights. So I figured I would take it in to a Pontiac dealer and let them solve it. Within one minute the guy identified the hidden inline fuse that had blown. He simply cut the wire and spliced in a 'normal' fuse link at that point and my headlights returned to life. This is a great hint for anyone who spots a Firebird being sold cheap because their headlights have given up the ghost and they can't figure out how to solve it.
Anyhow, I don't think Mustang's ( errrm... McLarens ) use the hidden inline fuselink. But I tend to put my money on the copper patina or copper corrosion in the fuse holder. The age of the vehicle and the vulnerable position of those contacts ( they are not air and weather sealed ) seems like my choice candidate for further examination
Marq
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: [ASC McLaren ] Underhood Light
I would have to second the notion of the blown fuse. Its worth it to
check it out since that is an extremely cheap and easy fix. Visually
inspecting a fuse may be enough to find a bad one but sometimes you
can't see the problem. Swapping a known good fuse with an old one
sometimes makes a difference.
-Mike
--- In ascmclaren@yahoogroups.com, "Sandy Block" <cigarsandy@c...>
wrote:
> On the diagram Mike posted that I so appreciate, there is a
coupling
> near the driver's side hinge just above the fender it seems. I'll
> have to go look & see if by chance that cane loose (or even
apart).
> I printed the picture and the accompanying posts, and will take
that
> with the car to my dealer. I am very lucky in that I have the best
> dealer in the USA. Maplecrest Lincoln-Mercury is constantly in the
> top 3 dealers in America for customer satisfaction. Me & my family
> have been buying cars there since 1986. Here's the picture, again.
> http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/misc/89-93-engine_light.jpg
>
>
>
>
--- In ascmclaren@yahoogroups.com, Tom G <speedracer815@y...> wrote:
> > I don't know the cost offhand, but mercury switches
> > are generally inexpensive. I'd be surprised if it's
> > over $20 at your local Ford parts counter.
> >
> > One thing though, you might want to make sure that
> > it's not a blown fuse or something like that. It's
> > possible the power is being stopped well before that
> > switch.
> >
> > Tom
> >
> > __________________________________
> > > > The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search
> > http://shopping.yahoo.com
.