1988 Mercury Marquis problems
The Mercury Marquis is a model line of automobiles marketed by Mercury from 1967 to 1986. Deriving its name from a title of French nobility, the Marquis was introduced as the divisional counterpart of the Ford LTD; four generations of the two model lines were paired through rebranding. Initially slotted as the flagship Mercury full-size range (above the Monterey), the Marquis would serve as the basis for the later Mercury Grand Marquis.
The first three generations of the Marquis were full-size sedans (alongside the Mercury Colony Park station wagon). For the fourth generation, the Marquis became the mid-size Mercury sedan, following the 1983 split of the Marquis and Grand Marquis into distinct product lines. As Ford Motor Company expanded its use of front-wheel drive, the Marquis ended production after the 1986 model year, replaced by the Mercury Sable (the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Taurus). As the Grand Marquis, the nameplate continued on until the closure of Mercury during the 2011 model year.
For its first three generations, the Mercury Marquis was produced by Ford in Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly), Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly), and Pico Rivera, California (Los Angeles Assembly); the fourth generation was produced by Atlanta Assembly and in Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Assembly).
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Common 1988 Mercury Marquis problems
The 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis is known for a few common problems that car owners have reported over the years. These issues include intake manifold failure, headlights not working properly, and valve dropping through the engine.
Intake manifold failure is a significant problem in the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, with an average cost of $1,700 to fix and an average mileage of 76,000 miles. This issue can lead to leaking coolant behind the alternator, which can cause the engine to overheat and potentially fail. The intake manifold is responsible for distributing the air-fuel mixture to the engine's cylinders, and if it fails, it can cause significant engine damage.
Headlights not working properly is another common problem in the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, with an average cost of $500 to fix and an average mileage of 83,000 miles. This issue can cause the headlights to flicker, dim, or not work at all, which can be a significant safety hazard, especially when driving at night or in poor weather conditions.
Valve dropping through the engine is a less common but more severe problem in the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, with an average cost of $3,300 to fix and an average mileage of 76,000 miles. This issue can cause significant engine damage, as the valve can damage the engine block, pistons, and other critical components.
In addition to these issues, the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis also has some common problems that are specific to the first generation of the car, which was produced from 1984 to 1991. These problems include poor acceleration, burning oil smell, fuel injectors stopping working, running hot, surging, and the car shutting off at idle. These issues are mostly related to the engine and fuel system, and they can cause significant performance and reliability issues.
The 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis has also been recalled 38 times, with the 2000 model year having the most recalls. Recalls are free repairs initiated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address safety defects or non-compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards.
In conclusion, the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis is known for a few common problems, including intake manifold failure, headlights not working properly, and valve dropping through the engine. These issues can cause significant performance and reliability issues, and they can be expensive to fix. Additionally, the first generation of the car, which includes the 1988 model, has some specific problems related to the engine and fuel system. If you own a 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, it's essential to be aware of these issues and to address them promptly to ensure the safety and reliability of your car.
How many miles does a Mercury Marquis last?
Well taken care of Mercury Grand Marquis and the very similar Ford Crown Vics and Lincoln Town Cars have frequently gone 300,000+ miles.
Do Grand Marquis have transmission problems?
Problem Description
Transmission problems are common in this model, often as a result of a failed front pump.
Why did they stop making Mercury Marquis?
As Ford Motor Company expanded its use of front-wheel drive, the Marquis ended production after the 1986 model year, replaced by the Mercury Sable (the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Taurus). As the Grand Marquis, the nameplate continued on until the closure of Mercury during the 2011 model year.
How many miles per gallon does a Mercury Marquis get?
Fuel Economy
| City | 15 mpg |
|---|---|
| Highway | 23 mpg |
| Combined | 18 mpg |
How many miles does a Mercury Marquis last?
Well taken care of Mercury Grand Marquis and the very similar Ford Crown Vics and Lincoln Town Cars have frequently gone 300,000+ miles.
What is the fuel pressure for a 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis?
It should have about 26-35PSI of pressure. If it doesn't, then he can check the power wire at the fuel pump for power and make sure it has battery voltage there at the PINK/BLACK wire for a second or two when the key is turned ON.
Why did they stop making Mercury Marquis?
As Ford Motor Company expanded its use of front-wheel drive, the Marquis ended production after the 1986 model year, replaced by the Mercury Sable (the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Taurus).
Do Grand Marquis have transmission problems?
Problem Description
Transmission problems are common in this model, often as a result of a failed front pump.
1988 Mercury Marquis car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mercury Marquis problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Mercury Marquis vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1988 Mercury Marquis complaints
The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Mercury Marquis.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-06-15
- VIN: 2MEBM74F9JX
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILING TO OPERATE UNLESS EXTREME PRESSURE IS APPLIED ON THE PEDAL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-07-25
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: THEORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH WAS RECALLED ALTHOUGH WE HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT AT ALL. I DID TAKE INTO A FORD DEALER [PAT MASSUCCI GENEVA FORD GENEVA OHIO] THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH, AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN WE WENT TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AFTER STARTING AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RETURN BACK TO THE RUN POSITION. THIS WAS ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT LEAVE IT, AND WHEN THEY GOT A CHANCE THEY WOULD REPAIR IT THE NEXT WEEK !THERE IS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO DRIVE MY CAR 10 MILES WITH NO TAIL LIGHTS /BRAKE LIGHTS/OR TURN SIGNALS, AND THEN LEAVE IT RUNNING WITHA FULL TANK OF GAS OVER THE WEEKEND. I THEN CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE LINE AND WAS TOLD TO DO THE SAME THING AS WELL OR HAVE IT TOWED AT MY EXPENSE TO THE DEALER THAT MESSED THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH UP TO BEGIN WITH. I COULD FIND NO OTHER DEALER OPEN ANY WHERE SO I RETURNED TO THE CAR, TOOK A PAIR OF PLIARS AND FORCIBLY TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO RUN. THEN TO THE OFF POSITION. IT NOW DOES SEEM TO WORK BETTER . BUT NOT AS IT SHOULD OR AS THE ORIGINAL DID BEFORE THE REPLACEMENT WAS INSTALLED WHEN THE SWITCH NOW FAILS TO RETURN OR DOES NOT LET THE TAILIGHTS WORK WE HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF THEN RESTART THE CAR FOR THE ACCESSORIES TO WORK AT ALL. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-13
- VIN: 2MEBM75F7JX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ENGINE WOULD CRANK, REFUSED TO START, TOWED TO DEALER, THICK-FILM IGNITION MODULE WHICH CARRIES ELECTRICAL PULSES TO THE SPARK PLUGS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-09-02
- VIN: 2MEBM75F2JX
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IT WOULD STALL OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. WOULD LOSE ALL POWER. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD & WAITED & THEN RESTARTED. TOOK TO THE DEALER & HAD TFI MODULE REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER PARTS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-28
- Crash: 1
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: PUT CAR INTO REVERSE AND CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT A WALL . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-12-10
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CATCH ON FIRE AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-03
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2MEBM75F3JX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION FIRE STARTED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE DUE TO A SHORT. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-03
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2MEBM75F3JX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION FIRE STARTED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE DUE TO A SHORT. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-15
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ABS: WHEN APPLIED, BRAKES HAS GRAB LIKE FEEL; FRONT END SWAYS; DRAGS. ALSO, HARD TO UNLOCK SHOULDER BELT. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-15
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: ABS: WHEN APPLIED, BRAKES HAS GRAB LIKE FEEL; FRONT END SWAYS; DRAGS. ALSO, HARD TO UNLOCK SHOULDER BELT. TT
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-11
- VIN: 2MEBM74F3JX
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: GOODYEAR INVICTA TIRES WEAR/CUP PREMATURELY. *SKD
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Mercury Marquis problems:
Q&A: 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis - Common Issues, Maintenance ...
Apr 22, 2011 ... It should have about 26-35PSI of pressure. If it doesn't, then he can check the power wire at the fuel pump for power and make sure it has ...
88 302 EFI randomly stop running on a, almost new, Grand Marquis ...
Oct 12, 2020 ... I'm a new owner of a Grand Marquis LS 1988. The car is like new but with a electrical problem. The problem is, the engine (EFI 5.0L 69000miles) ...
Q&A: 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems - JustAnswer
Sep 27, 2009 ... Thanks for using Just Answer, the most common cause of the problem you are having is a defective throttle air bypass valve, located on the ...
1988 Mercury Grand Marquis Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Faults: Air suspension shocks at 85,000. Water pump at 95,000. Alternator at 96,000. Power steering hose at 115,000. At 105,000 miles ...
Q&A: Troubleshooting 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis | JustAnswer
Sep 27, 2009 ... You should be able to stop the shudder by tapping your other foot on brake pedal enough to activate the brake lights, if it immediately goes ...
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