1996 ford crown victoria for sale by owner - New Lenox, IL - craigslist (2024)

So.....why am I selling it? I don't want to...I hate that I have to let it go but there is a problem that the State of ILL will not ALLOW me to fix.
The title is fine - clean. The problem is in Will County...they have the screwed up emissions testing.

(you are going to want to read this...even if you don't want to buy this car)

I never heard of a problem like this and maybe you haven't either.
If you are unfortunate enough to live in an area where emissions testing is mandatory, then you know about taking your car in for testing. It either PASSES or FAILS...right? Wrong!
I took it in for testing and they tell me it "didn't pass....and it didn't fail".
I'm thinking what kind of crap is this? They ask me if I disconnected the battery or cleared fault codes lately...and I told them no. Then they told me that the emissions monitor in the ECM (the car's computer) is in a "NOT READY" status and that I need to drive the car more for the monitor to reset.
This sounded like B.S. to me but I checked into it...and yes, this does happen sometimes to other people.
So...I drove the car around and every month for 3 months I took the car back for testing.
I got the same story after every test...drive it around more....except for the last (4th) test.
The 4th time...they wouldn't test it and said your car is "REJECTED" and that they would not test it again until I had a certified shop repair the problem.
I said "WHAT PROBLEM"....the car runs great...great acceleration...still getting the same gas mileage and NO FAULT CODES.
All they said was "sorry...we can't help you until you get the problem resolved by a certified shop.
I did more research and found that a bad ECM can cause the problem the State is having running their test.
I've repaired my own cars and motorcycles for over 51 years and was an electronics tech for over 25 years. I don't need a shop to repair anything I own...I've seen the kind of work they do and how they rip people off.
I can get a re-manufactured ECM with a lifetime guarantee for $250 bucks...it's not that hard to replace either.
The corrupt State of ILL will not emissions test my car if I do the repair myself.
For a $250 part that I can replace myself....I have to go to a certified shop...and pay them $1,500 to $2,000 to make the exact same repair.

So....that's why I've got to sell it...the corrupt State won't allow me to repair my own car and won't sell me a sticker so that I can drive legally .

I'd like to sell this car to someone that lives in an area where there is no emissions testing.
As the car is right now...it's a good every day driver that can handle a 500mi round trip with no problems. I figured I'd probably get a couple more years out of her...but I've got to let her go.

After the problems with emissions testing and realizing that I soon could no longer drive this car as the sticker would be expiring...I decided to install an EFIE device (Electronic Fuel Injection Enhancer) that I had for another project. If you don't know what this is you might want to do a search and find out.
This EFIE device is properly installed and it does improve performance and gives you a little better gas mileage...if you can keep your foot out of it : )
It is sold with the car and if you choose...can be de-installed easily. If you live in a non-testing area...I would definitely leave it hooked up and not replace the ECM. Just drive the car as is...and enjoy.

I'll move a little on the price...no low ball offers will be responded to.
If the ad is still up...the car is still available.
Emails only....want to talk...reply with your number.
No scammer, third party buyers, cash only.
Thanks,
Bill