2002 LS V-8 Sport, couple of issues

[BigBalledOX]

Ok, I took delivery of my LS yesterday. Its an outstanding ride, I absolutely love it . . . however, there are a couple issues I'd like some help with.

For one, the trip computer controls are pushed back in to the dash. I'm assuming this is just a trim piece needing to be replaced, so my question is, how difficult is this to repair? The dealership was supposed to fix this before I picked it up, but they didn't, and I live 3 1/2 hours away right now and will be moving in a couple weeks, so I won't be able to get back to the dealership for a while.

Secondly, it seems my phone was equipped with the bag phone in the arm rest. However, the phone is no longer present. So, when the car is started, the radio will start playing, then it will be muted and the message "Phone Absent" will flash on the LCD, followed by "VCS not activated" (I'm pretty sure thats what it is), then the radio will resume. I'm assuming this is a setting that can be changed, however, I don't have the owner's manual so I can't figure out how to get it to not bother looking for the phone.

Finally, and this is without a doubt the most annoying issue - the stereo controls don't light up at night. The HVAC controls all do, the trip computer controls all do, and the radio controls all work perfectly, I just can't see them. Is this a fuse or something more sinister?

Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

 

[broggi007]

Hey There... My trip Controls were pushed back into my dash about a month ago and what I did was I took out the dash piece and after you have it removed you just reach back and unplug the controls from the connector. Then I placed the control unit back to where it should be on the dash trim and used adhesive where the clips should have been... then I just reassembled it... I haven't had a problem since...

 

[gcwimmer]

For your owner’s manual go to the top of the form page; click on TECH ARTICALS; go down on the left to Lincoln Tech - Lincoln LS and down load you year manual or a year near your year.

The SEARCH and TECH ARTICALS are your friend, use them.

 

[eastcoastLS]

my radio controls don't light up either, and not all the radio controls on the steering whheel work correctly. cruise control works fine though. let me know if you find the solution.

 

[Fla02LS]

Those trip computer buttons seem to be poorly designed. I had mine break not too long after i first got the car. I was thinking since they are right by the air vents the maybe the plastic gets brittle from the varying hot/cold temps. I fixed mine with some epoxy and its not going to break again.

 

[skizot722]

Does anyone know about the VCS question he asked? I have the same situation, and I do have the owner's manual. It doesn't say anything about turning that VCS "check" off. I've had my 2002 for almost 2 years now and I've just gotten used to the muting stereo on startup (even though it is annoying as hell). I'd also really like to get my Razr setup to work with the handsfree portion of my LS.

 

[lseguy]

Dont have a specific answer about the VCS question. But with regards to steering wheel controls not working, or working erraticly, do a search on "clockspring" and/or "clock spring". (no quotes). Your answer lies there.

As far as the trip computer buttons? Yeah, the plastic mounts on both sides break from useage. You can pry off that entire upper vent section, unplug the buttons from the wiring harness, take into the house, use a strong epoxy and fix it back. Or you can source a used upper vent section w/buttons from a salvage yard. No guarantee on the condition of the mounts on a used unit. They might be broken, or about to break.