Clockspring/ Air Bag Sliding Contact assy

[rayner601]

Hi ya'll. I am a newbie to the Mark VIII world (had 4 MN12s though if that counts). I just picked up a 97 base with 105k on it. I have found a few things wrong with it that I'd like to share with ya'll
1) Check Trans-mission m/c message, flashing OD OFF light, check engine code (relating to mlps), any code relating to o2 sensor switching slow or not switching, transmission shifting funny or not at all, no t/c lockup...check the 2 large connectors by the tailshaft that are on a harness going up into the transmission tunnel. This harness controls the transmission, mlps, the rear o2 sensors, tss, and vss. The wire's insulation will fail with contact with oil or trans fluid and start shorting stuff out. I just disconnected the battery, cut these connectors out, and replaced them with weatherproof crimp on connectors and wrapped them in header wrap.
2) Airbag code 32...not fixed but did find what the underlying cause was other than just a bad clockspring. These things have a ribbon cable very simular to what connects the print head to the control board in a ink jet printer. The cable was broken across the 2 conductors for the airbag and it's just a matter of time before it breaks completely. I could fix it with a ribbon cable out of a printer, however it's not that big of a priority right now and I am not that broke either.
3) The rear neon...not fixed either, but Ford must have a Galactical Hyperthreading super computer in there, I couldn't get in the ballast without damaging/destroying the electronic parts.

Well that is about it for now. This board seems to have more mannered folks here than the board I rarely check anymore. Looking forward to making new friends on here
Joe

 

[Aquabrit]

Welcome Joe! Sounds like that Lincoln is keeping u busy! lol. Im sure you will like LvC. The folks on here are pretty friendly.


:W :V

 

[MERIJONS97LSC]

:W :V :L :GotPics: :Beer :dj: :dancefool

 

[billcu]

Welcome!

The ribbon cable is in the clockspring. It's replaced as an assembly. There really aren't any sliding contacts, I think that's just an old name from when they were actually sliding contacts.

Is your transmission OK now?

 

[rayner601]

I used to be a Ford tech, however it just didn't work out for me in a dealership setting. I knew I that the clockspring assy was replaced as an assy, however my MR. Fix It side of me wanted to see if I could fix it in the shop. Oh, well, guess I will buying a clockspring. The trans is great now, just a kinda long 2-3 shift, thinking it's gonna be the accumulator piston, or at least I hope
Now I am wondering if the potentiometer assy can be disassembled and cleaned to work like new, if it's like a normal one. I also need to replace the sunroof assy as well (the RH cable broke where it goes into the plastic track) and of course the 100k front end rebuild.