Starting System Lincoln Town Car III

DESCRIPTION

The starter is a gear-reduction motor with an externally-mounted solenoid. Starting system consists of a starter motor, solenoid, battery, ignition switch, Transmission Range (TR) sensor, starter relay and interconnecting cables and wires.

COMPONENT LOCATIONS

COMPONENT LOCATIONS

TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR

Place transmission in Neutral. Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect manual shift lever control cable. Loosen bolts on Transmission Range (TR) sensor. Ensure manual lever on transmission is in Neutral position. Install TR Sensor Alignment Tool (T97L-70010-A). Tighten TR sensor bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Reconnect manual shift lever cable. Lower vehicle and check system operation.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Check the following items before proceeding with testing

1. Check battery for state of charge.
2. Check starter for proper mounting.
3. Check cable connections at battery and starter motor.
4. Ensure transmission is fully engaged in Park or Neutral.
5. Check battery junction box fuse No. 1 (50-amp).
6. Check battery junction box fuse No. 6 (30-amp).
7. Check fuse junction panel fuse No. 26 (5-amp).

STARTER GROUND CIRCUIT TEST

Note. Make all voltmeter connections at component terminal rather than at cable or wire end.

Scheme 1

1. Disconnect inertia fuel shutoff switch located behind left kick panel. Connect remote starter switch between starter solenoid terminal "S" (Yellow/Light Blue wire) and positive battery post. (Scheme 1)
2. Using a digital voltmeter set at lowest voltage scale, connect positive voltmeter lead to starter housing, and negative lead to negative battery post. (Scheme 1)
3. Engage remote starter switch while observing voltmeter. If voltmeter indicates.2 volt or less, circuit is okay. If voltmeter indicates more than.2 volt, clean negative cable connections at battery and engine.
4. If voltage drop is still excessive, repair or replace negative battery cable and/or engine ground cable as necessary. Repeat starter circuit test after repair to ensure problem has been corrected.
5. If battery and cables test okay and starter motor still cranks slowly or not at all, replace starter motor.

VOLTAGE DROP TEST

Note. Make all voltmeter connections at component terminal rather than at cable or wire end.

Scheme 2

1. Verify battery condition. Battery voltage should be 12 volts or more. Load test battery at approximately one-half cold cranking amperage rating. See load tester manufacturer's instructions. If battery voltage is less than 12 volts or loaded battery voltage is less than 9.6 volts, service battery or charging system as necessary. If battery is okay, go to next step.
2. Disconnect inertia fuel shutoff switch. See «COMPONENT LOCATIONS»(/lincoln/town-car/iii-1997-2003/remont/starter/#starting-system__component-locations). Connect remote starter switch between starter solenoid terminal "S" and positive battery post.
3. Using a digital voltmeter set at lowest voltage scale, connect positive voltmeter lead to positive battery post, and negative lead to solenoid terminal "M". (Scheme 2)
4. Engage remote starter switch. Voltmeter should indicate.5 volt or less. If voltmeter indicates more than.5 volt, go to next step. If voltmeter indicates.5 volt or less, go to «STARTER GROUND CIRCUIT TEST»(/lincoln/town-car/iii-1997-2003/remont/starter/#starting-system__starter-ground-circuit-test).
5. Move negative voltmeter lead to solenoid terminal "B". Engage remote starter switch. If voltmeter indicates more than.5 volt, go to next step. If voltmeter indicates.5 volt or less, solenoid connections or contacts are bad. Clean solenoid terminals "B", "S" and "M". Repeat steps 2) through 5). If voltmeter still indicates.5 volt or less at terminal "B", solenoid contacts are bad. Install new starter motor.
6. Clean cables and connections at solenoid. If voltmeter still indicates more than.5 volt at terminal "B", check for poor positive battery cable connection or bad cable. To locate excessive voltage drop, move voltmeter negative lead toward battery, and check each connection point. When high voltmeter reading disappears, last connection point checked is cause of problem. Repair or replace as necessary.

ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

1. Verify battery condition. Battery voltage should be 12 volts or more. Load test battery at approximately one-half cold cranking amperage rating. See load tester manufacturer's instructions. If battery voltage is less than 12 volts or loaded battery voltage is less than 9.6 volts, service battery or charging system as necessary. If battery is okay, go to next step.
2. Measure voltage between positive battery terminal and ground cable connection on cylinder block. If voltage is greater than 10 volts, go to next step. If voltage is 10 volts or less, replace negative battery cable. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
3. Measure voltage between positive battery terminal and starter motor case. If voltage is greater than 10 volts, go to next step. If voltage is 10 volts or less, ensure starter motor is correctly mounted and grounded. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
4. Measure voltage between ground and terminal "B" (battery positive cable connection) on starter solenoid. If voltage is greater than 10 volts, go to next step. If voltage is 10 volts or less, replace positive battery cable. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
5. Connect a remote starter switch between starter solenoid terminal "B" and terminal "S" (Yellow/Light Blue wire) on starter solenoid. Operate remote starter switch. If starter engages and engine cranks, go to next step. If starter motor does not operate, replace starter motor. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
6. Disconnect starter solenoid terminal "S" (Yellow/Light Blue wire). Hold ignition switch in START position while measuring voltage at "S" terminal harness connector. If voltage is less than 10 volts, go to next step. If voltage is greater than 10 volts, clean "S" terminal wire connector and check Yellow/Light Blue wire for intermittent open. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
7. Turn ignition off. Remove starter relay. Hold ignition switch in START position while measuring voltage at starter relay harness connector terminal No. 86. (Scheme 3) If voltage is greater than 10 volts, go to next step. If voltage is 10 volts or less, go to step 12.
8. Turn ignition off. Measure voltage at starter relay harness connector terminal No. 30. (Scheme 3) If voltage is 10 volts or greater, go to next step. If voltage is less than 10 volts, repair open Black/Yellow wire between power distribution box and starter relay harness connector. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
9. Measure resistance between starter relay harness connector terminal No. 85 and ground. (Scheme 3) If resistance is less than 5 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is 5 ohms or greater, repair open ground (Black) wire. Ground connection point is on left front fender apron, near air cleaner.
10. Measure resistance between starter relay harness connector terminal No. 87 (Yellow/Light Blue wire) and ground. (Scheme 3) If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, repair Yellow/Light Blue wire for short to ground. If resistance is 10 k/ohms or greater, go to next step. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
11. Measure resistance between starter relay harness connector terminal No. 87 (Yellow/Light Blue wire) and starter solenoid "S" terminal wire (Yellow/Light Blue wire). If resistance is 5 ohms or greater, repair open Yellow/Light Blue wire. If resistance is less than 5 ohms, go to next step. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
12. Test fuse No. 26 (5-amp) in instrument panel fuse panel. If fuse is okay, go to next step. If fuse is blown, go to step 19.
13. Measure voltage at fuse cavity (input side) while holding ignition switch in START position. If voltage is 10 volts or less, go to next step. If voltage is greater than 10 volts, go to step 17.
14. Disconnect ignition switch harness connector. Measure voltage of Yellow wire at ignition switch harness connector. If voltage is greater than 10 volts, go to next step. If voltage is 10 volts or less, repair open Yellow wire. See appropriate wiring diagram in POWER DISTRIBUTION article in WIRING DIAGRAMS.
15. Measure resistance of Red/Light Blue wire between ignition switch harness connector and instrument panel fuse panel cavity No. 26 (input side). If resistance is less than 5 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is 5 ohms or greater, repair open Red/Light Blue wire. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
16. Measure resistance of Red/Light Blue wire between ignition switch harness connector and ground. If resistance is greater than 10 k/ohms, replace ignition switch. If resistance is 10 k/ohms or less, repair short to ground in Red/Light Blue wire. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
17. Disconnect Transmission Range (TR) sensor. Measure resistance of Brown/Pink wire between TR sensor harness connector, terminal No. 12 and instrument panel fuse panel cavity No. 26 (output side). (Scheme 4) If resistance is less than 5 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is 5 ohms or greater, repair open Brown/Pink wire. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
18. Disconnect Transmission Range (TR) sensor. Measure resistance of White/Pink wire between TR sensor harness connector, terminal No. 10 and starter relay harness connector terminal No. 86. (Scheme 3)and (Scheme 4). If resistance is less than 5 ohms, check TR sensor adjustment See «TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR»(/lincoln/town-car/iii-1997-2003/remont/starter/#starting-system__transmission-range-sensor) under ADJUSTMENTS. If resistance is 5 ohms or greater, repair open White/Pink wire. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.
19. Measure resistance between instrument panel fuse cavity No. 26 (output side) and ground. If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, go to next step. If resistance is 10 k/ohms or greater, visually inspect wires for damage that may cause an intermittent short to ground. Replace fuse and check system for normal operation.
20. Disconnect TR sensor harness connector. Measure resistance between TR sensor harness connector terminal No. 12 (Brown/Pink wire) and ground. (Scheme 4) If resistance is greater than 10 k/ohms, go to next step. If resistance is 10 k/ohms or less, repair Brown/Pink wire for short to ground.
21. Ensure starter relay is disconnected. Measure resistance of White/Pink wire between TR sensor harness connector terminal No. 10 and ground. (Scheme 4) If resistance is greater than 10 k/ohms, replace TR sensor. If resistance is 10 k/ohms or less, repair short to ground in White/Pink wire. Restore electrical connections and check system operation.

UNUSUAL STARTER NOISE

1. Verify starter is installed properly. Ensure bolts are tight. If starter is mounted properly, go to next step.
2. Connect remote starter switch between starter solenoid terminal "B" (positive battery cable connection) and terminal "S" (Yellow/Light Blue wire). Engage starter motor and verify noise is coming from starter motor. If noise is coming from starter motor, go to next step. If noise is not coming from starter motor, diagnose engine mechanical concern. See appropriate article in ENGINES.
3. Remove starter motor. See «STARTER MOTOR»(/lincoln/town-car/iii-1997-2003/remont/starter/#starting-system) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect flywheel ring gear for wear or damage. If ring gear is okay, replace starter motor. If ring gear is worn or damaged, replace ring gear and inspect starter drive gear. If drive gear is also damaged, replace starter motor.

STARTER SPINS BUT ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK

Inspect starter motor mounting. Ensure bolts are tight and starter is properly aligned. If starter motor is mounted properly, remove starter motor and inspect ring gear and starter drive gear for wear or damage. See STARTER MOTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Repair as necessary. If ring gear and starter motor drive gear are okay, install new starter motor and check system for normal operation.

Removal & Installation

Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise vehicle on hoist. Remove transmission cooler line bracket bolt. Position bracket and transmission cooler lines out of the way. Disconnect wiring from starter solenoid. Remove 3 starter mounting bolts. Remove starter. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Starter System Wiring Diagram (Town Car). Scheme 5

See also:
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
• COMPONENT LOCATIONS
• STARTER GROUND CIRCUIT TEST
• TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR
• STARTER MOTOR