Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice » Taurus, Sable

Headlights won’t turn off – Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable

admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:28:37 +0000

If you turn off your headlights and they refuse to cooperate, this just may be the fix you’re looking for. First, pull the fuse for the headlights. If they go out, you’ve just ruled out a short in the fuse box. Next, head right for the daytime running lights module (DRL). It’s located under the battery in the left front fender below the headlight and it’s attached to the radiator support. (Could they have made this any more difficult?) With the fuse still out, check the wires and the connector for any signs of shorting or fraying. If they check out, reinstall the fuse and use your voltmeter to get a voltage reading from the case of the DRL to the chassis. If you do get a reading, it means the case has lost its ground connection. Disconnect the electrical connector, remove the DRL, clean the mounting area and remount it. If the voltage reading falls to 0 and the lights are still on, the DRL has an internal short and must be replaced

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ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

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Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

P1151, P1131, P0174, or P0171 on Ford Duratec

Rick — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:52:00 +0000

All four of these codes indicate a problem with a lean condition. This engine is known for vacuum leaks, so before you start throwing oxygen sensors at the problem, it pays to perform some diagnostics.

Start by cleaning the MAF sensor. Spray the sensor with CRC MAF sensor cleaner (even though Ford tells you to replace it because it can’t be cleaned). Next, check the plastic vacuum lines, especially where they meet with rubber boots. If they are cracked or the rubber is swollen, replace the line. Then check the rubber elbow that holds the PCV valve. That elbow is a know failure point. In fact, the entire PCV tubing is a trouble spot on these engines. (thanks Ford).

After you’ve checked for vacuum leaks, check the operation of the oxygen sensors. The easiest way to do that is to disconnect the sensor from the harness. Connect one lead of your digital voltmeter to the black wire on the sensor and the other lead to battery negative. Then start the engine and add fuel (either propane, starting fluid, or carb cleaner) into the throttle body to force the mixture to rich. You should see a corresponding increase in voltage as you add fuel (from 0 volts to slightly less than 1 volt). Start and stop the fuel enrichment and watch the meter to see if the volts drop as you stop adding fuel. If you see no change, the sensor is dead. Replace it.

You can also use the fuel enrichment procedure to locate intake gasket leaks.

P1131 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Lean - Bank No. 1

P1151P1151 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Lean - Bank No. 2

P0174 system lean bank 2
P0171 system lean bank 1

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ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

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Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Ford door switches—a known problem

Rick — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:21:00 +0000

Remember the pin/plunger switches that car makers used to install in the door jamb? Well, you won’t find them in Fords—some brilliant engineer had a “better idea.” They decided to place the switches inside the door right under the latch mechanism. When the door latches, a lever deactivates the switch and the body control module turns off the interior lights. Good so far….. The problem is that the switches gum up with grease from the latch mechanism or corrosion. That’s when interior lights stay on.

Some shops have reported success by saturating the latch mechanism with a rust penetrant and opening and closing the door about 20 or 30 times. That works the penetrant into the mechanism and some of it finds its way to the lever and switch. You really don’t have much to lose by trying this method because the only alternative is to remove the door trim panel and replace the switch.

I’ve tried this on a few Ford vehicles and had success. However, it’s not a long term fix. You will have to do it about twice a year.

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eautorepair.net

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Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Wipers won’t shut off — Ford – The problem and the fix.

Rick — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:53:00 +0000

If you own one of the Ford vehicles listed below and you can’t get your wipers to shut off, here’s the fix. Ford wiper systems are controlled by the turn signal stalk on the “multi-function” switch. As you rotate the knob to activate the wipers, the resistance changes and the Wiper Control Module (WCM) reads the changing voltage and commands the wipers to a new speed or on/off. The problem of perpetual wipers is due to a poorly designed multi-function switch, not a bad WCM or a defective Generic Electronic Module (GEM). Ford has changed the part to correct the problem and now has a newer multi function switch. Before changing out the switch, make sure all the connections from the switch to the GEM and WCM module are fully seated. If they are, you will need to install the newer switch. Make sure you disable the air bag system before disassembling the cowling around the switch. An electrical mishap while working on the switch could pop off the air bag. The affected vehicles are:

1999 Taurus • 1999–2000 Mustang, Explorer, F150, F250, Ranger and Windstar •
2000 Excursion • 1999 Sable • 1999–2000 Mountainee

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eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Booming Noise, vibration, rough idle on Taurus Sable

Rick — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:30:00 +0000

The problem affects 2002-03 Taurus/Sable models with build dates between 4-01-02 and 10-01-02 (to find the build date of your vehicle look at the decal posted on the driver’s door pillar or the driver’s door. The noise described in this bulletin only happens when the A/C is on and outside temps are 80° or higher. The problem is an out-of-balance fan blade. To nail down this diagnosis, perform this test: If the engine is not making the noise when you inspect it, disconnect the coolant temperature sensor connector and start the engine. When the engine computer sees the loss of temp input, it will command the fans to go into high-speed mode (that’s considered a fail-safe mode in the event of a bum temperature sensor). If you then hear the noise or vibration, you’ve isolated the problem. But there are two cooling fans. To determine which one is at fault, touch the shroud of each fan near where the fan mounts to the radiator support. Here are the replacement part numbers for each fan: 3F1Z-8C607-HA (Right) and 3F1Z-8C607-GA (Left). Left and right are always viewed from the driver’s seat.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Erratic transmission fluid level— Taurus, Windstar, Freestar, Sable, Monterey

Rick — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 02:35:00 +0000

You may notice an erratic fluid level reading on the dipstick or possible leaks around the filler tube and grommet on the following vehicles: 2000-07 Taurus • 2000-03 Windstar • 2004-07 Freestar • 2000-05 Sable • 2004-07 Monterey.

The affected transmissions are the F50N, AX4N and AX4S. The problem is caused by a restricted transaxle vent. The fix requires replacing the transaxle vent with a 90° vent on the transaxle back to the cowl area next to the brake master cylinder and tie wrapped in place with the end of the hose facing down.

The new vent is Part # 1C3Z-7034-AA. If you need more information on how to make the repair, see Technical Service Bulletin 06-18-13.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I've written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you've had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use