Need Some Help! 97 Merc 5.0

[rappo26]

The old Mounty is showing some signs of aging, and I need to do some work on it. I'm hoping some of you guys know any good threads, or can give me some input to help me out.

First thing: The 3rd tail light isn't working, which is keeping me from passing inspection. The cheapest replacement I found was $100 on ebay. Now I know LED's last a looong time, so there must be something else wrong. Any trouble shooting tips for me? What should I do?

Next up, my driver side front door is full of issues:

1) Keypad - works, but doesn't light up.
2) Lock actuator - works... sometimes. It seems like it always tries to lock, but can't. If I slam the door a couple times, I'll work. So maybe the plastic clutch in there is jamming up or something.
3) Window goes down slow, goes up fine. Sometimes when I click the auto down, It'll only go an inch or so.
4) Outside door handle works, but is loose. I think spring is detatched. What's best option for fixing/replacing?
5) Window buttons and door lock buttons won't light up.
6) On/Off buttons on left side of steering wheel won't light up.

Last (and probably not least):
I need a replacement for center console lid, mine is cracked. Best place to find a light gray or black one?

I know it's a lot of stuff, but I'd love to get this thing back in shape.

Thanks for your input!

* Truck is a 97 mounty 5.0 AWD

 

[JIGAWHAAT]

Is the console lid itself cracked or just the leather? If its just the leather, Section did a nice write up on recovering it here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164801&highlight=console+cover

Door handle replacement:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164801&highlight=console+cover

 

['97 V8]

Alrighty, another 97 mercury. Key pad is most likely burnt bulbs, as well with your on/off switch for the cruise. I meant to replace mine, but i dont feel like pulling the steering wheel cover.

Window on the drivers side is going slow too huh. MOst likely you will have to remove the door panel and grease up the arm. If that doesnt work its time to replace the motor.

Door handle i have no idea, mines really secure, but i would think it is the spring.

Door locks, is most likely a bad connection, and you will have to replace the module.

Searching s key. THeres write ups everywhere on the forum on how to fix each problem.

EDIT: Jiga types faster than me

 

[JIGAWHAAT]

Is the console lid itself cracked or just the leather? If its just the leather, Section did a nice write up on recovering it here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164801&highlight=console+cover

If the lid itself is cracked I noticed a couple of them on ebay this morning for cheap money.

 

[mustangdave]

from what I have been able to determine, if your door handle on the outside feels loose, it is a broken spring on the door handle assy. They sell these at the ford dealer and are paint to match for about $25.00 The spring being broken can interfere with the door locks. Mine is sprung and mine does not always unlock with the remote or the keyless panel. If I jiggle the door handle and hit the button again it works. Might try replacing the outer door handle and kill 2 problems.

 

[nolimitssjca]

1: The cover is easy. Take off the torn cover use it as a pattern to cut a new one.
2: The acuator probably needs to be replaced. It is held in with rivets which need to be drilled out.
3: On/Off - I bought a replacement from my Ford dealer. Easy install.
4: The loose handle needs a new spring. You may want to check out your local Home Depot Racing Parts for a match.
5: Third light. Most likely the ballast is gone. About $80 bucks at the dealer. Painful and no way to know for sure until you replace it. I had two out. Both of these were Ballast.

Good Luck!

 

[jkburg75]

loose door handle and lock isnt working all the time either

1: The cover is easy. Take off the torn cover use it as a pattern to cut a new one.
2: The acuator probably needs to be replaced. It is held in with rivets which need to be drilled out.
3: On/Off - I bought a replacement from my Ford dealer. Easy install.
4: The loose handle needs a new spring. You may want to check out your local Home Depot Racing Parts for a match.
5: Third light. Most likely the ballast is gone. About $80 bucks at the dealer. Painful and no way to know for sure until you replace it. I had two out. Both of these were Ballast.

Good Luck!

my door handle is also loose and the drivers door lock doesnt work all the time. if i slam the door it helps

 

[Turdle]

my door handle is also loose and the drivers door lock doesnt work all the time. if i slam the door it helps

You need to replace the outer handle-there is a sprimg broken on it. When this happens, the lock mechanism is in a bind-
do not try using the inside door handle to unlock the door in this case-or it may break also.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165081&highlight=outer+handle+replacement

 

[rappo26]

Thanks for the inputs! So far I've done the following:

Replaced third light with LED one. $100 on eBay, and it plugged right into factory wiring. No more ballast worries!

I took my door apart and found the rod that connects the lock to the actuator wasnt even attached (which p!ssed me off because Ford looked at it and told me the actuator was shot.... THANKS Ford!). So I reattached that, and now the lock works MOST of the time. It still sticks every now and then, but with no springs in the handle, I can expect that. I tried calling junk yards to find another handle. Are the handles different from door to door? Or at least the springs.. I'll just swap them out.

I went to a local fabric store and got some fake black leather. My normal leather is gray, but their gray didnt match. Black makes a nice contrast, so I'm happy. Install was pretty easy. Except for the staples from my gun wouldnt penetrate the plastic too well. How else did you guys attach it??



So that is at least a start to getting this Mounty back in descent condition. Thanks again for the help guys!