Yea, the vacuum pump is bad and also needs replaced, and I forgot to mention a weird AC problem. While driving it around some yesterday, on a couple of occasions the AC air was warm, vent air. A couple of minutes and then it changed back to nice, cold air...maybe a climate control issue? Low gas?

The cruise control is a big deal for me and I'm trying to figure out how to fix that. The symptoms are pretty classic amp stuff, but I've read several posts about the brake lights. Also, these amps have the coding plug, which many online manufacturers claim also has to be changed, although my local guy says they hardly ever go bad. And, a real big discrepancy - online - in the prices of these cruise amps...so a little confusing.

All I can say is that you are lucky I didn't find it first! ;)

The A/C going warm to cold is an indication that the unit behind the wood has some cracked solder points. You can pull it apart and give it a shot at resoldering if you have some basic electrical skills. I had the same problem in my 300TE when I bought it. Its age, not miles with these things.

Ryan, remove the tail light lamps and check for flat spots on the base of each lamp. If you find that condition replace the affected lamps with the correct wattage (21W) Sylvania lamps (actually Osram-Sylvania) available at Pep Boys.

Not to hijack, but here's a nice Sportline for $5000 OBO. Drove it yesterday. Everything works and it has a Lorinser Body Kit and brand new Remus Exhaust.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rpig/300ce.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...g/DSC00068.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...g/DSC00064.jpg

I have to give this car a big thumbs-up. I met Kevin recently and looked at the car and test drove it with a view towards buying it. The car is beautiful, even though it's a color I don't count as a favorite, but it looks good on that car. The exterior of the car is clean, no dents, no rust that I could see, and the paint is in great shape. Easily an 8 or 9 out of 10, especially given the age. The interior is similarly in great shape, easily an 8 or 9 out of 10. On the test drive, the car was very responsive, accelerating smoothly and powerfully. You can really feel the difference between the M103. In turns, the Sportline suspension really held the car up nicely and kept the weight of it balanced perfectly on top of the suspension and the wheels. It felt ready for some racing.

I couldn't buy the car because I have three already (plus the Ranger) and I have spent buttloads of money recently on our new house. I still want to buy it, though.