| CARE | Concept | Memorabilia | Photos | Facts | | Links | Events | Guestbook | Homepage | Site Map | |
|
How To... |
Ford Thunderbird |
The Owner's Manual does not cover everything so
will try to list some of the "un-covered" items you want to know how to
use or change. These are areas of concern that have been noted on
the ThunderbirdForum.com and the ThunderbirdNest.com sites over the
past years.
updated October. 2008.
Boot Cover tips 2002 #2
Coil Pak Replacement #6 Engine Air Filter replacement 2003-2005 #17 Flat Tire placement in trunk please READ Now Fog Light Install #8 Hardtop Adjustment #12 Hardtop Installation #4 Hardtop protective strip installation #4B Hash Mark or Blade Removal and Replacement #9 Headlight Adjustment # 21 Homelink Installation #14 Hood Alignment - #19 |
Hood Bezel replacement #16
Interior Light ~ Dimmer Switch Operation #1 Leather Care #22 Owner's Manuals - #3 Rearview Mirror with Compass Installation #10 Rostra Seat Heater Installation on 2002s #5 Sirius satellite code for subscribing to service ~ ? Speaker Upgrades #15 Supplemental Parking Light Install #7 Taillight Bulb Replacement #13 Visor Drop #20 Window Drop quit working #11 |
1 | Interior Lights / Dimmer Switch operation: PLEASE READ THIS. When dimmer switch (on your dash) is in it's upmost position, ie, high intensity, the automatic timer that shuts off the lights will not go out until the automatic timer for battery conservation kicks in ~ anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes ~ takes the longer time if the rear view mirror lights are in the "on" position. To eliminate this "problem?" when you want the high intensity light on, just back off the dial a degree. The high point is there when you want the lights to stay on for a length of time. If your interior light is still on after an hour and you have the key off, see your dealer as there may be a problem with the "battery conservation" minder. |
2 | Boot Cover 2002:
Is yours lifting at high speed? 1. The cover needs to be tucked in under the body metal at sides and back. Are gaps appearing when you try to put the cover on and you can not
get it tucked under?
For more tips on installing your 2002 or 2003, 2004, 2005 boot cover...with
pictures: check
out this page.
|
3 | Owners Manual: If your manual is lost, your Ford parts department
is able to order a new one for you. You may also use Ford's Owners
website for downloading a copy. OR Motorcraft
link for free download >owners guides (left hand column) > select year
and model > select owner's manual. These manuals are in pdf
format so you will need a pdf reader installed on your computer.
Adobe.com offers a free download of their pdf reader.
Parts #s for the manuals are on the Ford Accessory page near the bottom if you want to order from your Ford dealer's parts department. |
4 | Hardtop Installation: Directions are in the Hardtop booklet.
Check your owner's manual carrying case and see if it's in there.
If you do not have one, you may again order this thru Ford. It may
also be found as a pdf file on the above Motorcraft website.
You will also need the hardtop tool. a #T40 Torx driver from your local hardware store or part # 4W6Z-76502F08 from your Ford dealer parts department. Part #s:
to download those guides from the internet, visit motorcraftservice.com
> owners info
|
4b | Tape Installation Instructions for the early 2002-2004 tape:
Directions
are also in a booklet
Tape Removal To remove the old tape, simply pull it off. If you notice adhesive residue on your vehicle, clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol or a very light non-abrasive soap. Applying New Tape Don’t worry about positioning the tape perfectly on your first attempt; the tape won’t bond completely until it has been in place for more than 24 hours. Only use the tape that has been approved by Ford for use on painted surfaces. Before applying new tape, make sure the surface of your vehicle is clean and dry. The temperature of the body surface should not be lower than 65 degrees or higher than 90 degrees.
|
5 | Rostra Seat Heater installation suggestions for the 2002 |
6 | Coil Pak replacement: off site and for Lincoln LS but procedure the same as in the book |
7 | Supplemental Parking Light Installation: from Ford Service
Bulletin
7793 2002-2005 Thunderbird ~ Supplement Parking Lamp Installation: If a customer wishes to have supplemental parking lamps installed on
a 2002-2005 Thunderbird, order wire harness part number:
plus 2 lamp assemblies (1W6Z-13200-AA). To install, First remove the front fascia and remove the existing wire
harness at C133. Install the new wire harness, remove the lamp opening
insterts from the front fascia,and install the new lamp assemblies. Reinstall
the front fascia. Verify tha Fuse 1.03 is installed in the underhood fuse
panel. Refer to workshop manual (Section 501-00) ad wiring diagram manual
(Section 92) for additional information. NOTE: Installation of the supplemental
parking lamps violates Canadian vehicle lighting laws
|
8 | Fog Light Installation: One owner's successful attempt:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12153 |
9 | Hash Marks or Blade removal and replacement:
Parts needed: "Fender Ornaments" (2002-2004): Left: 1W6Z 16178 BA Right: 1W6Z 16178 AA (2005): 5W6Z*16178*BB ORN ASY FRT FNDR LH (anniversary
blade or sabre)
|
10 | Rearview Mirror with Compass ~ Installation:
see TBN ~ #1 see TBN ~ #2 You will need to register view. Registration is free. |
11 | Window Drop quit working: Instructions are in your owner's manual
but it's a simple fix so I'll post the instructions from your owner's manual
here, too:
Proper operation of the short drop glass requires that the windows be |
12 | Hardtop Adjustment:
1. Make sure window drop feature is working. |
#13 | Taillight bulb replacement: this is an involved procedure that
you will probably want to let your dealer do. I do NOT have the steps
listed here but here is a tool that you will find very helpful if you decide
to do it yourself:
|
#14 | Homelink installation for 02s and 03s. |
#15 | Speaker Upgrades: see TBN You'll need to join if you have't already. It's free to join. |
#16 | Hood Bezel replacement: see the Hood Bezel page |
#17 | Engine Air Cleaner Replacement for 2003-2005 engine: See TBN You may need to join to view photos or thread. It's free to join |
#18 | Sirius Satellite code: If you need to subscribe to Sirius to activate your Satellite connection on the 04 and 05 Thunderbirds, you will need the 12 digit account ID number. If you do not know the code, it is programmed into your stock 04-05 radio unit: You press the "Sat" button and the "1" button at the same time and Voila ... There Is Your Sirius Account ID Number. If that doesn't work, it should be located on the actual unit but that may require removal to find. |
#19 | Hood Alignment: Is one side of hood sitting low? Open Hood:
there are hood height adjustment bolts. On each side of the front cowl,
just behind the headlight housing, you will find adjustable bolts with
a rubber head cap over them that is adjustable. Turn in or out. As a matter
of fact, they are loose and turn so easily that when cleaning in that area,
they will / can move and change your hood alignment.
MartinB. on TBN |
#20 | Visor Flop: Need to keep your windshield
visor up in place? as related by Lou Travalent from Thunderbirdnest.com
First you have two ends to the visor 1) the ouside ends is were the rod attaches and makes a bend or small U shape and 2)the other side is straight and fits into a round holder. Now the problem is that the staight side that fits into the holder or ( middle of car) is friction fit into that round holder and what keeps it tight in the holder is just a wrap of felt around the rod. What you want to do is wrap electrical tape around that felt piece to make it thicker and it will fit tighter in that holder. The felt just wears out. That is it. Now there are two ways to get to that end piece.
Now if you cannot get the rod out of that holder then the second way
is a bit more complicated.
It is simple, if Bunny Lou can do it anyone can.
|
#21 | Headlight Adjustment: Need to adjust your headlight and
can't find the headlight adjustment screw? It is staring you in the
face if you have the hood up and looking around the backside of the headlight.
(sorry, just had to say that). Here's a photo of where it is located
on the driver's side headlamp. It takes a 6mm Allen wrench to adjust
it. Once you've found the screw, follow directions in manual on adjusting
headlights, which you will find in the "Lights" section near the front
of your manual.
|
22. | Cracks occuring in your leather? They can be repaired but it
does require some loving labor on your part. Read Color
Plus's leather care booklet on how to restore.
Read more about your leather seats at 303's website |
© 2001-2011 Dot Lang
Webpage Design/Photos/graphics by Dot
unless otherwise noted
NOT affiliated with FoMoCo