New Guy here in VA

[crownvicguy311]

Hello all,

Well, this is the first for me on a few levels. For one, this is the First GM car i have ever had, so I hope its a good one. I am usually into Crown Vics and T-Birds, but i have branched away from them lately. Any who, I have a new Large Pickup and my wife's brand new SUV. I am Active Duty Navy for almost 10 Years now, and will be transferring to another Ship currently in the Shipyards. Thats hard on cars. Also, I do about 10 hours in the car 1 weekend per month to drive to Charlottesville, VA. My truck gets 17 MPG hwy, and we dont want to rack up all these miles on my Wife's Escape, so we started looking for a 3rd car for us to commute around in.

I landed on a 1998 Grand Prix Pace Car.

I got the car from an older couple in Suffolk. The car has sat for nearly four years, with the exception of being started and driven for 30 minutes once per month. So, the weather has taken its toll on the exterior. The clear coat is shot, and there is a superficial dent on the passenger side quarter panel, which is very fixable. Also, every single light is cracked except for the fog lights. I got new ones on order today.

Mechanically the car seems sound. It runs and drives smooth as you could expect for a car with a little over 100k on the clock. No strange engine noise, its clean under the hood and the trans shifts nicely. The previous owner was a stickler for Mobil 1, like I am.

The issues i have to fix that i know of:
-both window regulators need replaced.
-headlights and tail lights are garbage. New ones ordered, should be here soon.
-A/C is not working. The compressor doesn't seem to be doing anything at all, but the pulley moves just fine.
-TCS Off light is on, cant get that to turn back on.
-ABS light on, no idea why?
-Last but not least, the Cruise Control does not work. That needs to be fixed!!

So, my plan is to get the car inspection ready, and then start driving!! I have a week off, and would like to get a lot of things done in the next few days.
If anyone here has some pointers for me, I would love to have them!
Other than that, my other toys are as follows:

2013 Ram 1500 Hemi
2013 Escape Ecoboost
2014 Harley Davidson Street Bob (anyone down for a ride let me know)

Thanks Everyone, and I look forward to being part of the Grand Prix Community!!

--Evan

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

If you drive 65 mph, the hemi can get 20 mpg....


ABS and TC are both going to be on when the ABS system has a fault. Be it a bad bearing(sensor, wire harness) brake control module or the like.

Cruise control can be the brake switch, 3rd brake lights out or maybe even the cable not connected to the throttle body.

[ericspecullaas]

welcome

.
-A/C is not working. The compressor doesn't seem to be doing anything at all, but the pulley moves just fine. - needs to be re charged
-TCS Off light is on, cant get that to turn back on. - your abs is causing this fix the abs first
-ABS light on, no idea why? - wheel bearings or sensor or even a connection
-Last but not least, the Cruise Control does not work. That needs to be fixed!! - wont work tell it has the abs fixed

them be my guesses


also what size engine does it have? i hope its not the 3.1 (gutless wonder)

[crownvicguy311]

welcome




also what size engine does it have? i hope its not the 3.1 (gutless wonder)

It has the 3.8 Supercharged motor.

Thanks for the help guys. I was reading up on the A/C recharge kits you can buy, and they said to ensure that i can hear the compressor going before recharging. But, I'll take your advice and do it anyway because I have a recharge kit sitting in the Garage. I'll get to work and keep you guys posted!
Here is a photo ( i hope i dont F*@# this up)

[ericspecullaas]

love the color!

also you might want to add lower intake gasket to your list. and a coolant flush

[crownvicguy311]

The coolant flush is definitely going to happen. It needs it. I plan on doing all the regular maintenance as well, including changing the supercharger oil and a trans flush. I'm almost positive neither of those have been done.

[04lss]

Welcome! Im in VA too, in Richmond By the airport.
I dont know about norfolk area, but richmond has a crap load of these in the junkyard thats usually how i fix up my old GM cars.
for the ac compressor, get an ac line checker (you can buy the cheap refil kit from advance with a gauge) you might not have enough freon in the system. the pump wont turn on if the pressure is too low or high.

Like its been said before TC will come on if abs isnt working i believe TCS uses the abs system to work. jack it up and check your wheel bearings, if the wheel moves top to bottom they might need to be replaced.
while its up move it side to side, if there is play replace the outer tie rod ends.

for your paint meguiars has a paint restoration kit, it worked wonders on my friends old MR2.

[04lss]

The coolant flush is definitely going to happen. It needs it. I plan on doing all the regular maintenance as well, including changing the supercharger oil and a trans flush. I'm almost positive neither of those have been done.

If you even think the radiator is bad clogged or etc, swap it, theyre cheap from ebay ~$60. I ruined 1 engine by not doing it. If you have the time replace the valve cover gasket the factory ones can leak and cause fires.