1997 Ford Thunderbird LX from North America - Comments

This is all from the service history I have on record, and the minor things are from memory:

40,402 Miles: Cracked intake manifold due to it being defective.

67,997 Miles: Shift interlock button (the button on the auto shifter lever) would require like 30 seconds of working it back and forth before it would finally release.

78,121 Miles: Check Engine light on, due to air filter being wet for unknown reasons.

78,430 Miles: Check Engine light on again, due too bad fuel pump.

79,026 Miles: Check Engine light on again, due to the Mass Air Flow sensor being damaged by water, presumably the same water that ruined the air filter!!

Drivers power window and door lock are sticking. The window fixed itself, but I have yet to take a look at the lock.

Drivers seat stitching has come loose in the corner, have to fix that also.

I love my Bird!! It's fast, it handles great, you can get some serious hardware for it if you look in the right places, and the styling, both interior and exterior, is awesome! This is a 97 model, one of the few Limited Editions made.

I like the cockpit-style dashboard, and I have removed the ashtray/cigar lighter assembly and put more gages there.

As it is, this is one bad ass bird, but I plan on adding even more things to it later on. All that's been done now is a ported mass air meter, K&N air filter, and air silencer removal.

Hey I am having the same problem with the mass air flow sensor. what the hell is wrong with ford?!

Did you replace it?

Hi I am having some problems with my Thunder bird too. I have a feeling that it is the fuel pump. When I push the gas the whole car just vibrates and makes this horrible noise. My husband can change the fuel filter, but we don't know if it is in the gas tank or outside of it. A friend of the family told me it was inside do you know if this is correct. Also if you think it could be something else could you let me know my email is silkyfyne6969@yahoo.com thanks so much.

Will some one please inform me where under the hood of a thunderbird is the mass airflow sensor located on a 4.6 engine.

I have a question on my 1997 t bird the oil pan went out on it then then piston blew how would I replace that and where can I get a diagram on it can you help me it. thanks Nathan www.machines111@msn.com.

I too am having problems with my 97 Thunderbird. Every sensor has been replaced numerous times. But the service engine soon light comes right back on in less than 100 miles. My mechanic has traced the wiring and found nothing wrong. I just had all 4 sensors replaced AGAIN and drove 60 miles and the lights back on. My mechanic thinks it may be the computer. My car also has a lot of rattling in it now, including the moonroof which makes a horrible racket at 70 mph. I've always loved my Tbirds and have owned 3 since 1985 but this one has been the worse one I've owned. I'm thinking Ford just them them together because they weren't making them anymore. What a shame! They are a beautiful car. Anyone else having similar problems?

Thanks for listening! cruizcat@atlanticbb.net.

Hey, I've owned my 97 T-bird for about a year now, she is pretty peppy, but not as fast as my previous ford probe GT turbo I owned before, but she still moves! Of course there are gonna be problems with ANY used car a person owned, and what goes wrong with it is called MAINTANCE. There are so many different moving parts on a car its understandable that stuff goes wrong. I've done a little with my T-bird live a new series 40 flow master exaust turning the dual pipes into single... All custom piping done with stainless 2 1/2 inch piping custom bent from the catback, with a chrome tip coming out the back bumper... pretty mean looking! A cold air intake and soon to put a new computer in her to change a few things!!!

My 97 T-bird had a similar issue with the mass air sensor around 70k. It now has 77k, and has been problem free. I hope to get at least 150k out of her without any major repairs. We'll see how she holds up...