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Hey Guys,
I've been scouring the posts the last few days looking for some solutions to some teething problems I'm having with my car.
To start of with I am new to the Falcon. Last week I brought an EA 2 Fairmont Ghia and while it is essentially a beautiful car there are some niggling things that me being a perfectionist can't let go. I've brought the Max Ellery workshop manual and am pretty handy with the tools but it doesn't help explain some things or diagnose certain problems.
The first and most irritating problem is the heater. It doesn't blow any hot air. I have replaced the thermostat and the heater tap and still to no avail. I'm also sure the heater core is clear as the top hose is getting quite hot. I read somewhere here that if it was the blender door, a fault would flash on the console when I first start it up and it hasn't. I have also done a self diagnosis by pushing off and footwell at the same time and again nothing. I have checked the vacuum line to the heater tap and that is fine. The only problem I can see is that the passenger footwell has a vent to the left going up with a foam covered door blocking it. This doesn't ever seem to work. Could this be the problem?
The second is that my drivers power window switch has worn out. A little plastic rod with a tip sits inside the switch and the tip has worn out over time. Is there a reconditioning kit available to redo the contacts and that little plastic rod or do I have to buy the whole thing. And does anybody have any idea how much?
The third problem is one of my power windows is making a clicking noise and slipping. Is this the motor or is it something else?
And the forth problem is my fuel gauge. The distance to empty on the trip computer seems accurate at all times but the fuel guage is eratic going up and down at will. Any suggestions here would help. I have taken out the instruments to check for loose wires and didn't find anything.
Thankyou in advance for the replies. I'm looking forward to being one of the falcon faternity and being hopefully a useful member of this site. I guess I'll see some of you at the meets. Before I go I have a white 1990 model that is stock at the moment but after Xmas I am looking at lowering, stereo, air filter, exhaust, chequer plate floor mats, neon lights and the neccasary BLINDIN sticker on the back windsreen. Adios for now
I am having the same dramas with the passenger side fottwell vent.....if it is not opening then it is probably a broken flap arm which is controled via your fresh/recirculate lever on the dash. This being broken will not stop your heater from working though....it would have to be something to do with the blender door or some sort of directional problem...there are a few guys on here who have completely removed these things so perhaps they'd be able to assist you further.
I suggest you have a read through Jacks story "My EA" under the Buying Tips link at eafalcon.com it is very intersting and touches on a few of the things you have mentioned.
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Lets go find that Hotdog tree I planted
Lowered EF Futura
Black Steelies ( too cheap to buy proper mags )
Thanks for the advice. I went and read Jacks story about his EA and now know that my window is due to a regulator. Is this hard to fit yourself and is it $80 new or second hand? Unfortunately it didn't have the answers to all my questions. My heater inlet hose and my outlet hose are the same temp so it can't be a blocked heater core. Also doesn't the climate control flash at start up if it is the blend door motor. Anyway I'll keep trying to fix these little problems.
By the way can anybody tell me how to do this self test for fault codes. According to the workshop manual once you install the test wire your computer should flash but mine doesn't seem to have any lights to flash with.
After attaching the test wire to the diagnostics connector you need to use a multimeter to measure the current of the other pins. The computer creates a set of pulses (varying levels of voltage in sequence). Capturing these pulses is the hard part. it's kinda like morse code. Long pulse, short pulse, long pulse at a different stage in the test cycle could mean code 12. Whcih tells you that x is not within parameters.
Or buy a book that explains that stuff. The Haynes manual (36731) Titled: "Ford Falcon/Fairlane, 1988 thru 1993 - 6 cylinder engines etc." contains some good information about it.
One thing to check with the heater would be the lever behind the glove box. Just pull out the glove box and have a look. There is a little plastic thing that has a wire connecting to it.
If the wire is functioning correctly, when you set the temperature high, it should go upwards, if you set it cool, it should go down. If it doesn't do anything then push it up and turn the fan on. If hot air comes out, your problem is solved. There is something wrong with the little lever.
I don't know if it will be there in a climate control equipped car though. I know that this can be the problem in a non-c/c car.
Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to get some prices for a window regulator on the weekend, both new and second hand. I'm also going to buy the power window switches and replace them. Unfortunately with the heater I think I will have to pull it out. Thanks for the suggestion Sundeep but my climate control doesn't have any levers that I can see. It was the first thing I looked for. I'll probably have to spend a day or two on the weekend pulling it all out. :-( Normally I wouldn't bother but I can't stand things that are wrong with my car. Anyway thanks again.
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Teething problems
Computer Speak....
Linear Mode
