Symptom Charts

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Lincoln Town Car. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Symptom Chart - Instrument Cluster (IC)

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
No communication with the instrument cluster (IC)	Fuse Wiring, terminals or connectors Instrument cluster (IC)	REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article.
The instrument cluster (IC) is inoperative	Fuse Wiring, terminals or connectors Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test A .
Incorrect fuel gauge indication	Wiring, terminals or connectors Fuel pump module Fuel level sensor Fuel tank Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test B .
Incorrect temperature gauge indication	PCM Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test C .
The tachometer is inoperative	PCM Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test D .
The speedometer/odometer is inoperative	PCM Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test E .
Incorrect speedometer indication	Tire size PCM Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test F .
The safety belt warning indicator is never/always on	Lighting control module (LCM) Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test G .
The BRAKE warning indicator is never on	Wiring, terminals or connectors Parking brake switch Brake fluid level switch Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test H .
The BRAKE warning indicator is always on	Wiring, terminals or connectors Parking brake switch Brake fluid level switch ABS module Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test I .
The charging system warning indicator is never/always on	Charging system PCM Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test J .
The high beam indicator is never/always on	High beam headlamps LCM Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test K .
The LH/RH turn signal indicator is never on	Wiring, terminals or connectors LH/RH turn signal lamps Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test L .
The ABS warning indicator is never/always on	ABS module Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test M .
The traction control indicator is never/always on	ABS module Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test N .
The low oil pressure warning indicator is never/always on	Wiring, terminals or connectors Base engine concern Oil pressure switch Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test O .
The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is never/always on	PCM Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test P .
The air bag warning indicator is never/always on	Wiring, terminals or connectors Restraints control module (RCM) Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test Q .
The speed control indicator is never/always on	Speed control system PCM Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test R .
The engine idle hour meter is inoperative (if equipped)	Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test S .
The overdrive (OD) off indicator is never/always on	PCM Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test T .

Symptom Chart - Information And Message Center

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
The message center is not operating correctly	Message center switch Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test V .
The message center display is blank	Instrument cluster (IC)	CARRY OUT the instrument cluster (IC) self-diagnostic test to illuminate all segments of the message center display. If the message center display is illuminated, the system is working correctly at this time. If the message center display is inoperative, INSTALL a new instrument cluster (IC). REFER to Instrument Cluster (IC) .
The message center switch does not operate correctly	Wiring, terminals or connectors Message center switch Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test W .
The LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL message is inoperative/always on	Wiring, terminals or connectors Washer fluid reservoir Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test X .
The compass is inoperative	Fuse Wiring, terminals or connectors Compass sensor module Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test Y .
The CHECK COMPASS MODULE display is inoperative	Compass module Instrument cluster (IC)	If the compass does not operate correctly, go to Pinpoint Test Y .
The compass is inaccurate	Zone setting Calibration Vehicle magnetized Compass sensor module	Go to Pinpoint Test Z .
The DOOR AJAR warning is inoperative	Interior lamps concern Driver door module (DDM) Instrument cluster (IC)	Go to Pinpoint Test AA .
The TRUNK AJAR warning is inoperative	Luggage compartment lamp Instrument cluster (IC)	OBSERVE the luggage compartment lamps operation. If the luggage compartment lamps do not operate correctly, REFER to INTERIOR LIGHTING article to continue diagnosis of the luggage compartment lamps. If the luggage compartment lamps operate correctly, INSTALL a new instrument cluster (IC). REFER to Instrument Cluster (IC) .
The COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE warning is inoperative	Instrument cluster (IC)	OBSERVE the coolant temperature gauge. If the coolant temperature gauge does not operate correctly, go to Pinpoint Test C . If the coolant temperature gauge operates correctly, INSTALL a new instrument cluster (IC). REFER to Instrument Cluster (IC) . TEST the system for normal operation.
The POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION message is inoperative	Powertrain system Instrument cluster (IC)	Retrieve the recorded PCM DTCs from the continuous and on-demand self-tests. If PCM DTCs are recorded, REFER to the Introduction - Gasoline Engines article to continue diagnosis of the DTCs. INSTALL a new instrument cluster (IC). REFER to Instrument Cluster (IC) . TEST the system for normal operation. If no PCM DTCs are recorded, the system is operating normally.
The CHECK FUEL CAP message is inoperative	PCM Instrument cluster (IC)	RETRIEVE the recorded PCM DTCs from the continuous and on-demand self-tests. If PCM DTC P0457 is recorded, REFER to the Introduction - Gasoline Engines article to continue diagnosis of the DTCs. INSTALL a new instrument cluster (IC). REFER to Instrument Cluster (IC) . TEST the system for normal operation. If no PCM DTCs are recorded, the system is operating normally at this time. If the fuel cap was left off and the check fuel cap message did not display, driving conditions may not have allowed for the PCM to run the cruise test and message the instrument cluster (IC) to display the check fuel cap message.
The LOW FUEL message is inoperative	Fuel pump gauge sender Instrument cluster (IC)	OBSERVE the operation of the fuel gauge. If the fuel gauge does not operate correctly, Go to Pinpoint Test B . If the fuel gauge operates correctly, INSTALL a new instrument cluster (IC). REFER to Instrument Cluster (IC) . TEST the system for normal operation.
The PARK AID ON/OFF message is inoperative	Instrument cluster (IC)	OPERATE the parking aid system. If the parking aid system does not operate correctly, REFER to PARKING AID article to continue diagnosis of the parking aid system. If the parking aid system operates correctly, INSTALL a new instrument cluster (IC). REFER to Instrument Cluster (IC) . TEST the system for normal operation.

Symptom Chart - Warning Chimes

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
No communication with the lighting control module (LCM)	Fuse Wiring, terminals or connectors LCM	REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article.
The headlamps on warning chime does not operate correctly	LCM	Go to Pinpoint Test AB .
The safety belt warning chime does not operate correctly	LCM	Go to Pinpoint Test AC .
The Belt-Minder® feature does not operate correctly	Belt-Minder® deactivated LCM	VERIFY the safety belt warning chime operation. If the safety belt warning chime does not operate correctly, go to Pinpoint Test AC . If the safety belt warning chime operates correctly, INSTALL a new LCM. REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES article. TEST the system for normal operation.
The key-in-ignition warning chime is inoperative	Wiring, terminals or connectors Fuse Key-in-ignition switch (part of the ignition switch) LCM	Go to Pinpoint Test AD .
The air bag warning chime is inoperative	LCM	Go to Pinpoint Test AC .
The message center warning chime is inoperative	LCM Instrument cluster (IC)	CHECK the operation of the message center. If the message center does not operate correctly, go to Pinpoint Test V . If the message center operates correctly, INSTALL a new LCM. REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES article.
The chime sounds when the driver door is ajar (no key in ignition and headlamps off)	Wiring, terminals or connectors Key-in-ignition switch (part of the ignition switch) LCM	Go to Pinpoint Test AE .
The turn signal on warning chime is inoperative	Turn signal on warning chime function disabled LCM	Go to Pinpoint Test AF .
The fail safe cooling warning chime is inoperative (the temperature gauge is in the HOT range and the engine coolant over-temperature warning indicator is illuminated)	LCM	INSTALL a new LCM. REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES article. TEST the system for normal operation. If the condition is still present, INSTALL a new instrument cluster (IC). REFER to Instrument Cluster (IC) . TEST the system for normal operation.