recently my cars (98 Grand Marquis) check engine light comes on. i take it to Advanced Auto to get diagnosis. cylinder 5 needs spark plug and/or distributor. going to get my friend to exchange spark plugs for now, and if that doesnt solve the problem (car is getting turbulence b/c of this problem), then i will replace the distributor. the thing that is perplexing me is that my cars heat (A/C) stopped working all of a sudden tonight. visible smoke from under the hood, but couldnt figure out just where it was coming from. my question is, does this have something to do with my needing a spark plug and/or distributor? please help with any useful information. (dont know too much about cars so go easy on me guys)

12/3/2005 1:16:33 AM

I had the same thing in an older car. It was my compressor. However I can replace shit in a car, just don't ask me to diagnose it. Someone here might have a better idea.

12/3/2005 9:01:40 AM

im just trying to figure out if i replace the spark plug and the distributor will my A/C be functional again?

12/3/2005 2:06:46 PM

the answer is no, is it making a loud sqeauling noise? maybe your compressor locked up and is burning the belt off, also, why the hell are you using a/c when its 40 degrees out? is it the overhead cam 4.6 in there? if so, plugs and wires are a mother fucker to change, plan on spending 4-6 hours if you have never done that engine before

12/3/2005 2:15:36 PM

^wtf? plugs/wires on the 4.6 are easy compared to alot of cars out there today, up until they went to the coil-on-plug ignition at least.
but the compressor diagnosis is a good guess with the description given-the misfire has nothing to do with the heating / a/c system though.... do you still have heat? is the blower still running and moving air through the vents?


and also- you dont have a distributor.. the 4.6 is electronic ignition w/coil packs

12/3/2005 2:38:21 PM

^ talkin about two coil packs on each side of the engine with 5 foot long wires routed through everything and its brother, and the back two plugs on each side that you have to reach in up to your shoulders to get to? yeah, i guess that is easy

12/3/2005 2:40:50 PM

it is not making any squealing noise and my heat doesn't work, but air is flowing through my vents...by A/C i meant heat (sorry about that)...so what was the guy talking about at Advanced Auto when he told me something about cylinder 5, a spark plug being bad, and this thing concerning distributors...also, if there is something wrong with my compressor how much can i expect to dish out for fixing that? thanks for the info. thus far btw

12/3/2005 3:43:15 PM

your heater valve is probably defective, or some part that controls it (dunno if those are cable or electronically controlled). its the valve that directs coolant throught the heater core so the fan can blow warm/hot air off of it. also possible you've got a blockage or air bubble in the heater core. in any event, highly unlikely the two problems are related.

Quote :

"plugs and wires are a mother fucker to change, plan on spending 4-6 hours if you have never done that engine before"

if it takes you that long on a grand marquis/crown vic, then something is wrong. on mustang or mark VIII, it can be a bit of a pain. i'll take one any day over an f-body with stock manifolds though.

[Edited on December 3, 2005 at 3:52 PM. Reason : .]

12/3/2005 3:52:12 PM

so is there anyone around here that could possibly take a look at it for me if time permits them?? me being a po' broke college kid doesnt permit me to taking my car to a shop everytime something comes up, glad i have some friends that know a little something about cars...

[Edited on December 3, 2005 at 3:56 PM. Reason : ...]

12/3/2005 3:55:27 PM

zxappeal

12/3/2005 3:59:23 PM