1997 Ford Thunderbird REPAIR MANUAL -- HOW TO FIX YOUR CAR OR TRUCK

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1997 Ford Thunderbird CAR/TRUCK REPAIR PROCEDURES AND DIAGRAMS - WHAT Ford REPAIR SHOPS DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

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Get Full Access Automotix DIY provides automotive consumers and do it yourselfers; the most comprehensive repair information about 1997 Ford Thunderbird car and truck repair procedures including Ford engine diagrams, wiring diagrams, repair work estimating measures, technical service bulletins, auto body work guidance, starter & alternator replacement procedures, serpentine belt replacement procedures, radiator & hose replacement procedures, tune-up & drivability specifications, quick lube illustrations, preventive maintenance guide, engine light reset instructions, parts removal and install procedures, fuel filter replacement directions, component location diagrams, air filter locations & replacement instructions, a/c system specifications, and general auto service procedures. You don't have to be a car mechanic or technician to know how to fix your Ford Thunderbird automobile. Try the Automotix DIY solution today!
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Using the Automotix DIY repair procedures will save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars! In addition, it will save you hours of touring the city searching for Ford mechanics you can trust. The Automotix DIY solution is particularly affordable. A full access to the entire DIY repair procedures and diagrams for your 1997 Ford Thunderbird vehicle will cost less than a single gallon of gas. Here are some of the DIY repair tips and procedures you will find here:

A/C & HEATER SERVICE PROCEDURES FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

Computer Relearn Procedures -> Ford Motor Co. -> 1999-2002 -> 2003-04 -> Automatic Data Transfer -> Except 1999-2002 -> Manual Data Entry -> Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS

Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

Except 1999-2002

Disconnect negative battery cable for a minimum of five minutes. After clearing memory, it is required to drive vehicle a minimum of 10 miles to allow PCM time to relearn operating strategy.

1999-2002
Automatic Data Transfer
  • Prior to removing old PCM, connect a suitably programmed scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC).
  • Follow scan tool manufacturers' instructions to download data from old PCM.
  • Install new PCM and connect scan tool to DLC.
  • Follow scan tool manufactur...

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BRAKE SERVICE PROCEDURES FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

Disc Brakes -> Rear Disc Brakes & Parking Brakes -> Adjustments -> 1997-98 Continental & Mark VIII -> 1997-98 Mustang -> Contour & Mystique -> Cougar, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Thunderbird, Town Car -> Escort, Tracer & ZX2 -> Parking Brake -> Probe -> Sable & Taurus
Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 V6 GAS

Parking Brake
Cougar, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Thunderbird, Town Car
  • Apply parking brake control fully with 100 lbs. foot pedal effort, then release brake control.
  • Place transmission in Neutral, then raise and support vehicle.
  • With parking brake control in Off position, grasp tensioner around housing. Using an hook tool place end into rounded end of clip between clip and housing. Unlock clip by pulling downward with tool and support tensioner.
  • The tensioner spring will take up cable slack and preload cables, while holding tensioner, lock clip by pushing up on bottom of clip. If cli...

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FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

Ford Motor Co. Passenger Cars -> Component Locations -> 1993-98 Mark VIII, 1987-97 Thunderbird & Cougar
Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS

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DRIVELINE, U-JOINT & CV AXLES REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

DRIVESHAFT U-JOINT, Replace -> Assemble -> Disassemble
Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS

Disassemble

Do not clamp driveshaft in jaws of a vice or a similar holding fixture.

  • Place driveshaft on a suitable workbench.
  • Mark positions of driveshaft components relative to driveshaft tube. This ensures all components are reassembled in same relationship to maintain correct balance.
  • Index driveshaft and driveshaft components.
  • Clamp U-Joint Tool in a vise.
  • Remove snap rings.
  • If bearing cup cannot be pressed all way out, remove it with vise grips.
  • Remove driveshaft slip-yoke.
  • Position driveshaft in U-Joint Tool.
  • Press out a bearing cup.
  • Rotate driveshaft 180 degrees.
  • Press on...

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STARTER & ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

Starter, Replace
Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 V6 GAS

  • Disconnect battery ground cable.
  • Raise and support vehicle.
  • Disconnect engine control sensor wiring and starter battery cable from starter solenoid. When disconnecting hardshell connector of engine control sensor wiring at S-terminal, grasp plastic shell and pull straight off. Do not pull on...

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MAINTENANCE LAMP RESET PROCEDURES FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

Ford Motor Co. Cars -> Traction Control System Warning Lamp ->
Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS

This lamp should light for a approximately 6-8 seconds when the ignition is turned On as a bulb check. If the warni...

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RADIATOR & HOSE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

Radiator, Replace
Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 V6 GAS

  • Drain cooling system.
  • Disconnect upper, lower and overflow hose from radiator.
  • Disconnect automatic transmission fluid cooler inlet and outlet lines from radiator.
  • Remove two upper fan shroud to radiator support attachi...

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SERPENTINE BELT SERVICE PROCEDURES FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

Serpentine Drive Belt, Replace
Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS

  • Rotate tensioner away from belt using a breaker bar installed in 1/2 inch square hole in tensioner arm.
  • Lift old belt over alternator pulley...

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COMPONENT LOCATION DIAGRAMS FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

Component location diagrams for most 1997 Ford Thunderbird cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. from 1990+.

Engine Compartment Diagram for 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 V6 GASEngine Compartment Diagram for 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 V6 GAS

Components on diagram:
  • Throttle Position Sensor
  • EGR Vacuum Regulator Solenoid
  • Anti-Lock Brake Control Module
  • Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
  • Engine Coolant Temperature Sender
  • Body Diagram for 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GASBody Diagram for 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS

    Components on diagram:
  • Seat Belt Switch
  • Park Brake Switch
  • Anti-Theft Controller Module
  • Inertia Fuel Shutoff Switch
  • Right Hand Rear Speaker
  • CLICK HERE TO GET FULL ACCESS TO 1997 Ford Thunderbird PARTS/COMPONENTS LOCATION DIAGRAMS!

    WIRING DIAGRAMS FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

    OEM drawn wiring diagrams for most 1997 Ford Thunderbird cars and light trucks sold in the U.S.

    1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 V6 GAS Wiring Diagram1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 V6 GAS Wiring Diagram

    Components on diagram:
  • Radio Noise Capacitor
  • Ignition Coil
  • Powertrain Control Module
  • 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS Wiring Diagram1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS Wiring Diagram

    Components on diagram:
  • Power Mirror Switch
  • Right Power Mirror
  • Left Power Mirror
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    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

    OEM TSB listings for most 1997 Ford Thunderbird cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. from 1985+.

    Document: RECALL - CERTAIN 1992-2003 MODEL YEAR CARS AND TRUCKS - FUSED JUMPER HARNESS REPLACEMENT FOR VEHICLES SERVICED WITH AN INCOMPATIBLE FUSED JUMPER HARNESS
    Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS

    Auto Systems:
  • Chassis Electrical, Wiring, Fuses & Breakers, Wipers, Motors
  • Document: RECALL - 1992-2004 MULTIPLE VEHICLE LINES - SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION
    Vehicle: 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 GAS

    CLICK HERE TO GET FULL ACCESS TO 1997 Ford Thunderbird TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS!

    COMPONENT/PARTS SPECIFICATIONS FOR 1997 Ford Thunderbird AUTOMOBILES

    BRAKE SPECIFICATIONS: Brake drum, rotor, caliper, and related specifications for most 1997 Ford Thunderbird cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada from 1970+.

    • Brake caliper mounting bolt torque
    • Brake drum runout, machining, & discard specs
    • Minimum brake lining thickness.
    • Brake rotor runout, parallelism, machining, discard, & finish specs

    A/C SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS: Air conditioning refrigerant capacity and type as well as lubricant capacity for most 1997 Ford Thunderbird cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada from 1980+.

    • Refrigerant capacity & type, compressor oil viscosity, total system oil capacity & compressor clutch gap

    COOLING SYSTEM BLEED: Cooling system bleeder valve identification, bleeder type and bleed procedures for most domestic and imported cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada from 1986+.

    PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE: Preventive maintenance recommendations and required services for most domestic and imported cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada from 1980+. Includes severe and routine service schedules

    QUICK-LUBE and ILLUSTRATIONS: Fluid recommendations, capacities, drain plug torques, tire data, and severe service recommended preventive maintenance schedules. Information covers most 1997 Ford Thunderbird cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada from 1980+. Engine and chassis service images.

    • Automatic transmission/transaxles capacities, lubricant recommendations
    • Differential/final drive capacities, lube recommendations, grades, & viscosities
    • Final drive fill & drain plug torques
    • Number of lubrication fittings & plugs
    • Power steering, brake, & clutch fluid recommendations
    • Manual transmission/transaxle capacities, lube recommendations, grades, & viscosities
    • Number of lubrication fittings & plugs
    • Power steering, brake, & clutch fluid recommendations
    • Engine oil capacities, API grade recommendations, SAE viscosity recommendations, drain plug torque
    • Severe service maintenance & interval recommendations
    • Tire sizes, wheel nut/bolt torque, pressures & rim sizes
    • Transfer case capacities, lube recommendations, grades, & viscosities

    TUNE-UP & DRIVEABILITY SPECIFICATIONS: Most tune-up specifications for most 1997 Ford Thunderbird cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada from 1980+

    • Airflow sensor electrical specifications
    • Tensioning specifications for systems with automatic tensioners
    • Barometric pressure sensor specs
    • Battery group number and cranking performance
    • Crankshaft & camshaft position sensor resistance
    • Engine compression pressures
    • Coolant temperature sensor specs
    • Computer advance.
    • Diesel fuel temperature sensor resistance.
    • Distributor advance specifications
    • Ignition pickup coil resistance
    • Exhaust gas recirculation temperature sensor resistance
    • Engine fastener torque values
    • Firing order diagrams
    • Fuel system pressures
    • Generator (alternator) specs
    • Intake air temperature sensor specs
    • Ignition coil specifications
    • Fuel injector resistance
    • Engine idle speeds
    • Knock sensor resistance
    • Manifold absolute pressure sensor specs
    • Mixture control solenoid resistance
    • Voltage regulator specs
    • Spark plug applications & gaps
    • Starter motor electrical specs.
    • Tensioning specifications for systems without automatic tensioners
    • Throttle body temperature sensor resistance
    • Ignition timing in degrees at rpm
    • Transmission oil temperature sensor resistance
    • Throttle position sensor specs
    • Vacuum sensor valve specs

    CLICK HERE TO GET FULL ACCESS TO 1997 Ford Thunderbird SPECIFICATIONS DATA!

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