Vehicle - No Start Condition/Accessories Don't Work

89ford04

Article No. 89-6-6

^ NO START - GROUND TERMINALS AT THE GROUND BUSS CONNECTOR LOOSE

^ POWER ACCESSORIES - INOPERATIVE - GROUND TERMINALS AT THE GROUND BUSS CONNECTOR LOOSE

FORD: 1989 THUNDERBIRD

LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1989 COUGAR


ISSUE: A no start condition or power accessories that do not work may be caused by a loose or disconnected wire at the ground buss connector. The wire leads from the ground buss connectors may be looped under the carpet at the lower edge of the cowl trim panel. This type of routing allows the occupants feet to apply enough downward pressure on the carpet to pull one or more ground terminals from the ground buss connector. Accessories and systems that could be affected are in the 1989 Electrical Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual (EVTM), pages 16 through 19. A partial list of these accessories and systems are:

^ Power door locks

^ Power windows

^ Power seats

^ Keyless entry

^ Luggage compartment remote release

^ Interior courtesy lamps

^ Passive restraints

ACTION: Inspect the driver's side ground buss connector (G-300) and the passenger's side ground buss connector (G-301) for loose or disconnected ground wires. Refer to the following procedure for service details.

FIGURE 1:

FIGURE 2:

1. Using the 1989 Thunderbird/Cougar EVTM, pages 16 through 19, determine which ground buss connector (G-300 or G-301) requires service, Figure 1 and 2.

2. Remove the cowl trim panel.

3. Detach the ground buss connector from the cowl.

4. Inspect each terminal for a proper connection.

NOTE: THE TERMINALS ARE EASILY SEEN THROUGH THE WHITE PLASTIC COVER OF THE GROUND BUSS CONNECTOR.

5. If a wire(s) is loose or pulled out of a terminal(s), remove the terminal(s) from the ground buss connector and solder the wire(s) to the terminal(s).

6. Reinstall the repaired terminal(s) in the ground buss connector.

7. Reposition the ground buss connector. Rotate the ground buss connector either forward or rearward to allow the ground wire leads to be as close to the cowl as possible.

8. Install a 4-6 inch piece of body tape on the wire harness to hold it to the cowl panel, Figures 1 and 2.

9. Reinstall the cowl trim panel.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
890606A Inspect & Repair Ground 0.6 Hr.
Buss (one side)
890606B Inspect & repair Ground 1.0 Hr.
Buss (both sides)

DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
14A488 44
OASIS CODES: 2100, 2150, 2700, 2770, 2900, 610200