20 Most Recent 1988 Ford Thunderbird - Page 7 Questions & Answers

There is an internal spring that holds the connection together. Most if not all auto parts stores have a set of plastic spring release kits that are fairly inexpensive. Just select the correct size, install it on the tubing and push firmly while gently pulling connection apart. CAUTION.....that line may have refrigerant that is under pressure!!!!!!!!!! If your airconditioner is blowing cold air, take your car to a shop to have the refrigerant removed first! When you separate the connection, you will see one or two GREEN o rings. Remove them and take them to an auto parts store and buy new ones or the connection will leak when you reinstall. To reinstall the connection, just push the hose into the connection!

There is a locking pawl that is connected to the shift lever. When it is in park, the pawl is disengaged and will allow the steering column to swing to the right. Most common cause is corrosion, out of adjustment or the rod that connects to the pawl is disconnected.

check the peddle then the master repair kit and also check the brake pad spring .

Check your inertia switch in the trunk and press to reset it. See if you hear the pump run when you turn the key. Then try to start it. If it has been awhile since fuel filter time, you could do a fuel sample and replace the filter. You must have some type of spark to ignite the starting fluid, but your TPS switch regulates fuel pressure and spark advance. A code reader would be a nice thing to use right now. You may want to look at the timing belt for shredding. I hope this helps you.

If you don't get an answer because of the Holiday try and go to a Salvage yard. It would be more help to you to see where the part fits. The car in the Salvage yard may have stuff removed so you can see. If I remember correctly, I had to pull the heater controls out of a dash on an 1984. The top of the padded dash has screws on the sides and a few around the glove box. Also the glove box door comes out. Hope this helps

It is your fuel pump it has to put out at least 30psi at the fuel rail. Regardless of how much gas you think its getting its not enough. Replace the fuel pump.

Had the same problem. Likely the fusible links. Get a Haynes manual with wiring diagram in the back (should be around $15 or so at an auto parts store). I also had to replace the air intake duct and several components of the thermactor air system. One other thought is that the new alternator is not putting out a charge, you might want to check that if you believe everything else is okay. I once replaced an alternator and the new alternator was defective. --Mark http://www.marksatterfield.com

Usually the map of the fuses is pasted on the inside of the cover plate of the fuse box. In some 1988's is is # 9

There are a lot of places it could be leaking from,it could be a head gasget, freeze plug, intake gasget, ect. best thing to do is pressureise the cooling system and look for a leak, and watch the pressure guage on tester. Do you have the right radiator cap? or at least the right # cap. That is something thats over looked a lot, and they go bad too.

The hood release cable may have broke. You will have to try get one hand up from the bottom release it. good luck

Probably a head gasket. Water / antifreeze seeping into the cyllinder when it's hot/pressured up, and the plug won't fire until the water is blown out the exhaust, then it runs fine. Next time you hot start it, and it's running poorly, see if there is any white smoke coming out the exhaust.

there is exhaust that runs from head to head under carburetor . there should be a damper that opens when cold and closes when hot . when it stays open after motor reaches operating temperature gas in bowl boils and gas is a vapor instead of a mist and causes motor to run lean .

Check fuel pump and your fuel pressure.

When this happens the problem is most likely the multi-funtion switch aka turn signal switch. Check to see if the 3rd brakelight comes on when the brake pedal is pushed. If so replace the MFS. The 3rd brakelight in late 80's fords bypasses the turnsignal switch.

yes there is a fuel pump shut off in the passenger compartment.

replace the brake light switch, it is located at the top of the arm that the brake pedal is attached 2.

Sounds like a power wire short.

If you have a short in the power wire to the seats, it will cause the fuse to get hot...and blow.

Look under the seat(s) to see if any wires got run over by the seat tracks.

A good way to troubleshoot the problem is to disconnect both seats from thier factory anthenol connector, and put fuse in. Plug in each seat. When the fuse blows, you will know which seat is the 'culprit'/Short (power wire going directly to ground)

Inspect problem seat's wiring, check for shorts.

Try this site they seem to have all that you need

http://www.carjunky.com/partstore/?N=5809&Nr=OR(AND(make:Ford,model:Thunderbird,year:1988),AND(universal:1))&Vi=4294965649+1616+10341&y=1988&mk=Ford&md=Thunderbird

Hello, located under glove box, behind right kick panel at edge where door hinge is.

I would first bleed the brakes again. The easiest way to do that is with two people. Buy a couple of bottles of dot3 brake fluid. One at a time unscrew the bleeder valves on each of the wheels. (Only unscrew them only a quarter of a full turn). Have a person push the brake pedal and hold it until you can close the valve. (1. Put a tube over the valve or you will get wet! 2. fluid should come out, if it doesn't turn the valve a little more until it does). After you close the valve have them release the pedal. Repeat the process on that wheel until there are no bubbles in the fluid. Do this on each wheel. ! It is very important that you keep the master cylinder reservoir full or more air will get into the line. If that doesn't help you problem. I'd look at changing the master cylinder. ( The bleeder valves look like little nipples, and are usually located very close to the brake lines on each wheel.