A few questions

[brtnstrns]

I just picked up a 99 Mustang GT today with 106k miles on it and have a few questions. The car is all stock and well maintained. First, in 1999 did the traction control switch have an LED to indicate whether it was on or not? In my car it does not light up and when I press it there is no indication anywhere that anything changed. Also, on the subject of lights, are the window buttons supposed to be back-lit when the headlights are on? I also can't figure out how to turn on the courtesy lights for when the doors are open. I turned the headlight switch all the way to the left till it clicked but the courtesy lights still don't turn on. And finally, when can you tell that the clutch needs to be replaced? I haven't driven a standard consistently in about 4 years, and that was my old 66 mustang which was a much different feeling clutch so I'm not completely used to a modern clutch, so I'm wondering what to look out for.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I just picked up a 99 Mustang GT today with 106k miles on it and have a few questions. The car is all stock and well maintained.

Congrats!

First, in 1999 did the traction control switch have an LED to indicate whether it was on or not?

No its an incandescent bulb which can burn out. The LEDs came in about 2001 and later.

In my car it does not light up and when I press it there is no indication anywhere that anything changed.

Bulb is most likely burnt out a whole new switch is pricey but some searching here will reveal a bulb you can get to replace it for cheap IIRC at Radio Shack.

Also, on the subject of lights, are the window buttons supposed to be back-lit when the headlights are on?

No backlight there.

I also can't figure out how to turn on the courtesy lights for when the doors are open. I turned the headlight switch all the way to the left till it clicked but the courtesy lights still don't turn on.

Check the bulb.

And finally, when can you tell that the clutch needs to be replaced? I haven't driven a standard consistently in about 4 years, and that was my old 66 mustang which was a much different feeling clutch so I'm not completely used to a modern clutch, so I'm wondering what to look out for.

That is a tough one, is it making noise? Where does it engage, high or low?

Put the car in 4th gear and slowly let the clutch out. The engine should die right away if the clutch is good. If it is bad the engine will not die as quickly the clutch will just slip. To know for sure take it to a shop and have the clutch checked by a mechanic.

 

[wmburns]

The Courtesy lights are on fuse F2.7(15a) in the Central Junction Box (CJB). The map reading lights under the mirror, the trunk release, and the trunk light are on the same fuse. Therefore, if the other things work, then the fuse has to be good.

If the “door ajar” dash warning light comes on, this proves that the door switches work.

There is a switch on the over head courtesy light. However, this is to turn it on.

There is always the possibility of something else being wrong. The overwhelming odds favor a bad bulb. It simply doesn’t make any sense to do any other tests until the bulb has been checked.

On the clutch, the Mustang has a quasi self adjusting clutch. Simply lift the clutch pedal. Use your foot or a hand. This releases the prowl holding the quadrant. You may hear a few clicks. Depress the clutch pedal. This will reset the throw out bearing free play. The free pedal travel does need to be reset from time to time as the clutch wears.

Many people find the Mustang clutch engages too high in the pedal travel for their liking. This is because of the self adjusting nature of the set up. The adjuster maintains a constant light pressure on the throw out bearing essentially setting the pedal free travel to near zero. The stock set up works fine for daily driving. Often it is enough just to know that is how it works coming from the factory.

The life of a clutch varies widely depending upon the driving habits of the owner. Things like resting your foot on the clutch, setting at lights for long periods of time with the pedal pushed in, quick starts with lots of slipping, lots of high RPM dumps, failure to keep adjusted, driving through high water, city driving, can decrease the life of a clutch. While it is possible to get a lot more than 100k miles on the factory clutch, many will not make it that far.

Other clues that you need a new clutch include chatter as the clutch is released. Slipping once in gear especially after a long trip (RPMs increase), burning smells, way too easy to pull away without bucking, very light pedal pressure, all possibly mean a weak clutch.

Welcome aboard. Good luck.