Static & Weak Reception Town Car AM
E. Lincoln Town Car:
Excessive AM static on strong stations, poor reception, fading under bridges and overpasses.
To service this concern, the original antenna cable is disabled and the new antenna cable is installed and rerouted down the center of the vehicle . Also, a radio to instrument panel ground strap is installed. Use the following instructions to service this concern.
DISABLE ORIGINAL ANTENNA
1. Remove radio. Refer to the 1990-91 Lincoln Town Car Service Manual, Section 35-01.
2. Disconnect antenna cable from power antenna and radio.
NOTE:
CUT OFF THE ENDS OF THE ANTENNA CABLE SO THERE IS NO CHANCE THAT IT WILL BE USED AGAIN. SECURE THE CABLE ENDS AFTER CUTTING TO PREVENT RATTLES.
VEHICLE PREPARATION
The new antenna (F1VY-18812-A) will be rerouted down the center of the vehicle. Figures 1 through 3 diagram the routing of the new antenna cable and will aid installation.
To reroute the new antenna cable, the following preparations are to be done to access the antenna route.
1. Remove the front passenger seat. Refer to the 1990-91 Lincoln Town Car Service Manual, Section 41-01 or 41-08.
2. Remove the rear seat back and rear seat cushion assembly. Refer to the 1990-91 Lincoln Town Car Service Manual, Section 41-14 or 41-20.
3. Remove passenger side cowl side trim panels. Refer to the 1990-91 Lincoln Town Car Service Manual, Section 45-03.
4. Remove passenger side quarter trim panels. Refer to the 1990-91 Lincoln Town Car Service Manual, Section 45-03.
5. Remove safety belts, as required. Refer to the 1990-91 Lincoln Town Car Service Manual, Section 41-50.
INSTALLATION/ROUTING OF ANTENNA CABLE
At this point, the carpet on the passenger side of the vehicle can be lifted to route the new antenna cable. Route the cable as follows.
1. Begin installation of the NEW antenna cable by connecting the antenna to the radio.
2. Route the cable from the instrument panel toward the front of the floor where the carpeting begins.
3. Route the cable under the carpet on the passenger side (right side) of the drivetrain tunnel to the rear of the vehicle to the point where the carpet ends beneath the rear seat.
NOTE:
SECURE THE CABLE TO THE EDGE OF THE DRIVETRAIN TUNNEL WITH DUCT TAPE TO ENSURE THAT THE CABLE WILL NOT BE PINCHED OR CUT DURING INSTALLATION OF THE SEATS OR SAFETY BELTS.
4. Route the cable, under the foam pad located in the rear seat area, to the existing hole located in the left rear corner of the passenger compartment. The exact routing of the cable in the rear seat area is not critical, but be sure to position the cable so it will not be damaged when the rear seat is installed. Secure the cable to the floor pan, using duct tape.
5. Route the cable through the hole from the passenger compartment to the trunk area.
6. Connect the cable to the power antenna.
NOTE:
STORE ANY EXCESS CABLE BEHIND THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT LEFT HAND TRIM PANEL. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO BUNDLE THE EXCESS CABLE. BUNDLING THE EXCESS CABLE MAY REDUCE THE RADIO RECEPTION PERFORMANCE.
INSTALLATION OF RADIO TO INSTRUMENT PANEL GROUND STRAP
Install the radio to instrument panel ground strap (F2PZ-19AO95-A) using the following procedure:
1. Remove the nut and washer assembly and radio support from the stud located on the rear of the radio.
2. Attach the instrument panel ground strap (F2PZ-19A095-A) to the stud between the radio support and the radio chassis to ensure proper contact. Before tightening the nut, position the ground strap so the crimped eyelet is located to the left (looking at front of the radio) so there is no interference with the wiring connectors on the right side of the radio. Refer to Figures 4 and 5 for details.
3. Using a large pair of pliers (channel lock pliers), grasp the J-clip end of the ground strap where the J-clip is crimped. Slip the J-clip over the vertical metal instrumentation panel brace located to the left of the radio, Figure 4.
4. Replace all removed components in reverse order as listed. Refer to the appropriate Lincoln Town Car Service Manual for instructions as needed.