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Topic: Ground issue??? (Read 4815 times) previous topic - next topic

Ground issue???

Has anyone ever run across a problem where the "door ajar" light burns dimly and the blower motor still blows even when the key switch is turned off and on occasion the power door locks try to lock the door like the switch is on?

This just recently cropped up on my '84 V8 Elan.

I am checking the dash ground shortly.

I checked the EVTM and it says everything should ground there, but I was wondering if anything grounded through the ECM, which I took out because of my recent carb conversion.

Thanks,
Drew

Ground issue???

Reply #1 –
I think I found it! \

The ground was bolted to the back of the radio on a big clip thingy, and I didn't have the clip slid into place just right.

I think I'm going to re-attach this to the dash steel instead of the clip thingy.

Ground issue???

Reply #2 –
Just wondering but how does your car's ignition switch look?
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Ground issue???

Reply #3 –
No, that ground didn't seem to do it.

Thunderjet, I assume you are referring to the big mechanical switch, not the lock cylinder. The original is still installed with those obnoxious rivets, but it doeaent have any slop. I wondered about that too, but I figured the half lit "door ajar" indicator lamp when no doors were ajar and only when the switch was off would indicate some sort of grounding problem.

Ground issue???

Reply #4 –
X2 on the ignition switch.My car doesn't have the system centry option so i don't have a door ajar light, but im pretty sure it only lights up with the key on.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Ground issue???

Reply #5 –
Quote from: tbolt64;441262
No, that ground didn't seem to do it.

Thunderjet, I assume you are referring to the big mechanical switch, not the lock cylinder. The original is still installed with those obnoxious rivets, but it doeaent have any slop. I wondered about that too, but I figured the half lit "door ajar" indicator lamp when no doors were ajar and only when the switch was off would indicate some sort of grounding problem.

Your car still has the factory ignition switch? If so change it out. It should solve your problem. Plus it's a fire hazard.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Ground issue???

Reply #6 –
Very good... I had wondered about the switch, I guess drilling out the rivets in the morning will be the order of the day.

Ground issue???

Reply #7 –
They should be screws that the head was broken off as an anti theft measure. Try hitting them with a punch nd chisel to see if they spin, or cut a slot with a dremel and see if you can get a flathead in there.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Ground issue???

Reply #8 –
The ones in all my cars were tamper-resistant torx screws. A torx bit with a hole in it fits.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Ground issue???

Reply #9 –
I changed the switch, but that didn't fix the problem... Back to the drawing board.

Ground issue???

Reply #11 –
Looked good, going to the ignition switch that is...

Could I have a bad diode in the alternator, thus getting "reverse" draw back through the blower switch (as the switch ultimately hooks to the diode?

Ground issue???

Reply #12 –
Try unplugging the cables from the keyless entry module. EVTM pages 101-103.
Does the door ajar light turn off?
 

Ground issue???

Reply #13 –
Yes the light goes off, I am currently on my 7am to 7pm swing... I will give it a shot on Monday, though.

The alternator is not the problem, however...

Ground issue???

Reply #14 –
Does the car have Automatic Climate Control? You mentioned the blower runs when it should not. Just thinking there could be some sort of problem in the solid state blower speed controller. It is below or behind the glove box, you might try unplugging it.