Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
Does the 1996 Thunderbird have a cigarette lighter in it.
The Unofficial "Ask a Stupid Question" Thread
- Thread starter Derphound01
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Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
Ok thanks, I am a new thunderbird owner so I have been looking for it and could not find it.Yes, under the (drumroll) ash tray door
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
If the previous owner added a 97 style cupholder, that ashtray and lighter may no longer be there. What does your console look like?
Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
I got this one at the junkyard to customize so I could have a cigarette lighter but it is the same one that is in my car
Yeah that’s a 97 only console, @1997ThunderbirdLXV6 nailed what’s going on with your car; a previous owner swapped it out deleting the ash tray/lighter.
It’s possible they relocated it to keep it as an accessory socket but you’ll have to look around to find it if it is there
Skinnytick
Newbie
That is the 1997 style center. 1997 got an ashtray that goes into the lower cubby below the radio and HVAC controls.
Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
I have looked everywhere for it, so I assume they did not.
I am also have been looking for those at junkyards, but I think I am just going to modify my extra console
Skinnytick
Newbie
I have 1997 ashtray that I have no use for. Lemme know if you want it or can't find one locally at the JY, I'm happy to send your way for the cost of shipping.
I installed the lighter in the armrest storage since I put my gauges in the lower cubby.
Anyone that's curious. The rocker switch controls the power antenna and the momentary push button controls the light.
*Edit*
I got the light cover/wiring harness from an 89-93 Tbird/Cougar
I installed the lighter in the armrest storage since I put my gauges in the lower cubby.
Anyone that's curious. The rocker switch controls the power antenna and the momentary push button controls the light.
*Edit*
I got the light cover/wiring harness from an 89-93 Tbird/Cougar
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Nice! I did the same thing with mine. My momentary switch is actually a stock 89-93 one I stealthily put in place of one of the rubber stops
Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
Thank you, but i think I would rather do the custom console and keep the space on the dash for my phone or anything else.
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
My light is just always on with parking lights:
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
Skinnytick
Newbie
Very cool seeing similar but different setups.
Is the fuel door switch a Cougar thing? ...one of those 'luxury' things that would annoy the hell out of me.
That would drive me crazy knowing the light was always on.
It’s a 89-95 Tbird or Cougar option, it was done away with for the 96-97s when Ford started cutting costs.
I like it, well at least when the latch doesn’t stick lol
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
There's a chance, albeit a slim chance, that the previous owner swapped the entire console from a 97, not just the cupholder panel.
The cupholder requires a uniquely shaped air duct below. That could be an indication (though that duct can also be swapped individually if you disassemble the console). Some people just cut the pre-97 duct.
If the entire console was swapped, you wouldn't find any wiring for that 12V socket because the console harness is part of the console.
In any case, even on 97, there is an always-on 12V lead in the console connector, which is a white connector located directly below the coinholder. I can't remember the color(s) of that wire, but I can find it later if you need it.
Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
I know the previous owner personally and he only daily drove this car, so I don't think he would swap the whole console.
Depending on how long he owned it for it may have been swapped in even before him, that’s been a popular mod to 94-96s since the early 2000s at least. If it’s got the correct air tube the console would basically have to come out to put it in anyway.
Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
There was only one owner before him I believe, and she was an old lady, so I don't think she would have done it either.
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
@Little Ice-Cable
Have you already taken out the cupholder that's in there now, that your car had when you bought it?
If so, what was the condition of the air duct. If it has a piece cut out [most likely] to make room for the cupholder, then it's the original duct. Then it's certainly also the original console, and the wiring for the lighter is part of the console harness.
If the air duct is intact, then one of two things happened:
- Either the console was disassembled to swap only the air duct [somewhat likely] --> lighter wiring still there
- Or an entire 97 console was put in [least likely] --> no lighter wiring in the console, but the lighter lead is on the dash side of the console connector below the coinholder (on the console side of that connector, that pin is empty.)
If you haven't taken out the cupholder yet, start there and let us know what you find.
Have you already taken out the cupholder that's in there now, that your car had when you bought it?
If so, what was the condition of the air duct. If it has a piece cut out [most likely] to make room for the cupholder, then it's the original duct. Then it's certainly also the original console, and the wiring for the lighter is part of the console harness.
If the air duct is intact, then one of two things happened:
- Either the console was disassembled to swap only the air duct [somewhat likely] --> lighter wiring still there
- Or an entire 97 console was put in [least likely] --> no lighter wiring in the console, but the lighter lead is on the dash side of the console connector below the coinholder (on the console side of that connector, that pin is empty.)
If you haven't taken out the cupholder yet, start there and let us know what you find.
Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
I have not removed it yet, currently it is in the body shop, getting a lot of stuff done to it (rust removal, fixing the bumper, headlights, and getting the whole car repainted.) when it gets back in a week or so I am going to start doing the other modifications like the console.
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
Full repaint? Wow, I'm jealous. Nice stuff!
The wire for the lighter is light blue/white. The connector is C253.
These diagrams are for a 97, so it says "not used", and the male side of the connector shows as empty; but on your car this is used (or at least was). Meanwhile I imagine that splice S202 you see there doesn't exist on pre-97.
Interestingly, this is not the same wire as power to the trunk button, probably because it's fused to a higher amperage (?).
The wire for the lighter is light blue/white. The connector is C253.
These diagrams are for a 97, so it says "not used", and the male side of the connector shows as empty; but on your car this is used (or at least was). Meanwhile I imagine that splice S202 you see there doesn't exist on pre-97.
Interestingly, this is not the same wire as power to the trunk button, probably because it's fused to a higher amperage (?).
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
...and don't you just love the use of the word "Cigar"? 
Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
It needs the whole repaint pretty bad, there are scratches and marks all over the car and since my dad runs the body shop, I'm getting a pretty good deal on it
.I also absolutely love the use of cigar.
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
PostWhore
since my dad runs the body shop, I'm getting a pretty good deal on it
Sweet!
I think your dad bought a shift knob for it from me, because the existing shift knob suffered from leaking goo syndrome. Or maybe that was someone else's dad...
Anyway, keep us posted. Definitely show us the repaint when it's done. Same color?
Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
It was him he hops on here sometimes and buys stuff for my car. He has owned multiple thunderbirds, so he knows (at least he thinks he knows) what I want and need for my car. It's going to be the same color.
Little Ice-Cable
1st Gear Poster
I do really enjoy the shift knob though, it is really nice compared to the goo syndrome one.
Jae 'Bird
3rd Gear Poster
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2023
- Messages
- 129
- Age
- 19
- Location
- Edmonton, Canada
- Vehicle Details
- 1990 Ford Thunderbird Base with PEP 151A, 3.8L NA V-6
I was reading a post by someone else (I cant recall who exactly) and I found out according to that thread that its possible to bolt up the rear section of the 4.6 t-bird exhaust right to the rear section of the 3.8 exhaust. Is this true? I know it would be only cosmetic and net no real performance benefit at all, but I like the look of dual rear exhaust. Also, if I were to grab the rear section from a junkyard, what tools exactly would I need to get it off? like what socket sizes etc.? (i know rust could cause problems)
This is true, it’s just a ball and socket flange after the resonator with two bolts that will probably put up a good fight. The stock pipes are actually low grade stainless steel so they look rusty on the outside but it’s only cosmetic, but the hardware is just plain steel so they’ll probably be seized and the heads swollen with flakey rust, probably wise to just take a saw and cut them to get the pipes detached and just get new nuts and bolts from the hardware store.
The hardest part of dropping the rear section of exhaust is frankly the rubber hangers, especially the one by the diff as the other two above the mufflers you might get lucky and be able to unbolt the brackets (those need a 13mm deep socket). Bring a long screwdriver and spray lube with the straw thingy for the nozzle and get it up in the rubber the exhaust is hanging from, and use the screwdriver to pry the rubber off from the hanger
Removing those brackets above the mufflers creates a whole new world of issues for you, because when you fuck them up, which you will, you will find that these hangers are actually the rear bumper hangers.
Ask me how I know this.
Just get the rubber to come off, or cut the rubber and replace.
Way less work.
Hours less.
