New to this site

[pattyinla]

Hi,
I'm Patty from LA. New to this site. I'm excited to read from fellow TBird owners and learn new tips on how to best care for my baby. I really love my 2004 Burgundy Thunderbird. It's a beaut! I've had it now for 7 months. (about 42000 mil.)
I do have a concern:
I have noticed that it hesitates as I accelerate sometimes. It happens when I get onto the freeway mostly but recently it happened as I was going uphill. I thought it was the gas I was using up until 3 weeks ago. I filled up my tank with good gas (Chevron) instead of Arco and I felt a better ride. But on this 2nd fill up with the good gas, I noticed the hesitation again. I changed the oil 1 month ago.
Any suggestions what it could be?
Also, I got a ticket today for not having a front license plate. I couldn't believe it. I'm searching for a picture to see what it would like to have one on the front but I can't find one. Can I fight this ticket? Are there any photos of one with a front license plate so I can see what it would look like? Also is it the logo plate that I need to get or do I need an actual license plate like the one in the back? There are about 5 other TBirds in my neighborhood and they don't have a front license plate. Personally I think the car won't look as nice with it on the front. But I don't want to get another ticket.
Thanks

[5bird7]

Re: New to this site

Welcome Patty,

Sounds like you might be having a coil on plug (COP) problem with your hesitations going up hill. Check this forum in the garage area:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...play.php?f=172
Lots of info there to read thru and a poll to take.

I doubt you can fight the ticket in CA. Look under the seats to see if the previous owner left the 2nd plate there otherwise, you'll probably have to get a new set of regular plates for the car. Both plates should match.

Here's one method for installing that front bracket so you don't put holes in the bumper:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...+plate+bracket
and here's another method:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...+plate+bracket

and there are other threads about the license plate bracket if you do a search here.

As for pics. There's bound to be a number in the gallery with front plates. Someone with a front plate can steer you to one of those.

[EllisonCal]

Re: New to this site

Hi,
I'm Patty from LA. New to this site. I'm excited to read from fellow TBird owners and learn new tips on how to best care for my baby. I really love my 2004 Burgundy Thunderbird. It's a beaut! I've had it now for 7 months. (about 42000 mil.)
I do have a concern:
I have noticed that it hesitates as I accelerate sometimes. It happens when I get onto the freeway mostly but recently it happened as I was going uphill. I thought it was the gas I was using up until 3 weeks ago. I filled up my tank with good gas (Chevron) instead of Arco and I felt a better ride. But on this 2nd fill up with the good gas, I noticed the hesitation again. I changed the oil 1 month ago.
Any suggestions what it could be?
Also, I got a ticket today for not having a front license plate. I couldn't believe it. I'm searching for a picture to see what it would like to have one on the front but I can't find one. Can I fight this ticket? Are there any photos of one with a front license plate so I can see what it would look like? Also is it the logo plate that I need to get or do I need an actual license plate like the one in the back? There are about 5 other TBirds in my neighborhood and they don't have a front license plate. Personally I think the car won't look as nice with it on the front. But I don't want to get another ticket.
Thanks

Patty,
Listen to Dot, she is one of the TBN experts on all things Thunderbird. But, one other thing, only non-Tbird owners use the generic "Burgundy" for your car color, it is MERLOT! Just so you know.
Cal
(my car isn't Black, it's "Evening Black".)

[jimvit1]

Re: New to this site

Welcome Patty to TBN. One Beautiful car you have there especially in the Merlot color. I don't know if you've taken the top off yet but this is the time of year to be cruisin with the top down. And yes I'm still tempting fate by not putting the front plate on mine. Hope you don't have a cops problem but if you do we have just found out that this may be covered under an extended warranty for 100,000 miles or Ten Years. So if it is a cops problem then get it on down to the Ford dealer and ask them if they are going to cover it with the warranty. Good Luck and Happy Crusin

[FUN X 3]

Re: New to this site

Hi Patty, welcome to the Nest. I've not had a front plate on my car since new in 2002, I've gotten one ticket at $79.00. I have 75,700 miles on my car. That works out to a little over 1/10 of one cent per mile. Well worth it to keep the front of the car looking good IMHO. As the others have stated, the symptoms for the way your car is running sounds like coil on plug [COP] problem. My dealer replaced 5 of them just last week, same symptoms.

[EBird]

Re: New to this site

Welcome Patty !!! Sounds like DOT gave you the options..

You are right ..there is always Good info on this site...Good people too...

Have Fun !!!

[redbirdsal]

Re: New to this site

Hi Patty Welcome to TBN!

[007Cruiser]

Re: New to this site

Welcome to TBN!

[FritsB]

Re: New to this site

Welcome to TBN Patty. Hope you get that problem fixed soon.

[Johnny TBird]

Re: New to this site

Patty - welcome to TBN.

Happy Trails

[Ediron]

Re: New to this site

Hi Patty welcome to the site with your Merlot Bird (I guess you got the picture on colors ) Received good advise and I'm glad I live in Florida ,no front Lic. plate needed.

[MintTbird]

Re: New to this site

dont wory about the plate... the first time you can say you dident know.... i am just honest and say im realy not gona drill holes in the front bumper and have never had a problem... not even crossing the US border where i figured they would give me hell...

[Tbirddave]

Re: New to this site

Hi Patty, I think your problem may be covered by warranty. Ford Motor Co. has extended the warranty of the engine ignition coil assemblies to 10 yrs. or 100,000 mi. The Ford program no. is 07M07 also if the coils have been exposed to water they may be covered by Ford program 07N09. I think it would be worth checking with you local Ford Dealer. Welcome to "The Nest"

Dave

[catb1rd]

Re: New to this site

Hi Patty, welcome to TBN! I am near you in Sherman Oaks, CA, where do you live in LA? I am looking for other T-Bird members here locally to see if there are any events!

The front plate is off on my car too but the original owner did give it to me when I purchased the car last week. I hope I never have to put it on! I hate the way it looks, totally ruins the front of the car.

Lisa

[Dizzbe]

Re: New to this site

Welcome Patty