Ask the Car People.SM


Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

2996 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2012 at 9:47 AM

You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 135 of 301

#1333 of 2996 Car or Dealer: by jokev2

Aug 19, 2004 (2:53 pm)

I don't know too much about cars, but I've had a Chevy Impala, VW Bug, Mercury Cougar, and now my 94 Taurus LX. I bought my Taurus used in 1997 with 26,000 miles on it. I test drove it twice and really liked it and then decided to buy it. That was on a Saturday. By Monday, it was back at the dealer's for a new ignition, a new radio/cassette player, and jerks in my transmission. Even though I had a warranty, the dealership's service dept. wouldn't touch the transmission until they knew exactly what was wrong with it. Of course, they wouldn't take my word for it and when the serviceman drove it with me as a passenger), it didn't jerk. I had that car in for trans service 15 times in 4 years. Right before my warranty ran out at 72,000 miles, I took it in for the last time and told them that if it wasn't fixed and I had an accident, my family would own the dealership's two businesses and sue Ford, too, since I had already alerted my lawyer about my problem with them. To top it off, the original dealer had sold his business to another Ford dealer and all the computer records were conveniently "lost". They were shocked when I told them I had every invoice from day one and only then did they call in a Ford transmission specialist. It was so bad that Ford put in a brand new one and I didn't even pay labor costs (I refused to!). I was a fool for not threatening them earlier! I keep it serviced regularly, I love driving it and now have 134,000 miles on it, with hardly any problems until last year when I had problems with steering. To make a long story short, with many trips for service (and many big bucks), the entire steering system had to be replaced. Then, early this year, I was driving on the PA turnpike in a snow storm and my electrical system went out, would go on when I pulled over and idled, but went out again when I started driving. What a nightmare with kids in the car!! I was told that there was a short in the circuits and a wire was burnt! Fixed that to the tune of $348.00. After that happened, I have had trouble with starting the car and stalling. The entire electrical system was tested and everything that could possibly cause this was checked out, so I was told and they could find nothing wrong. I did buy a new battery (the 2nd in 8 yrs), though. The problem still persisted until one day the car wouldn't start at a gas pump after I filled it with gas. I had it towed to the dealer and they found a problem in the "starter box" and replaced it (for another 300 odd dollars). I asked why they had told me previously that they could find nothing wrong and they said that this problem can't be diagnosed until the car actually dies. Well, dumb me, I thought that the problem was fixed, but today, my car hesitated when I started it, and driving through a traffic light 5 miles later, my car stalled. Luckily, I had enough power to pull over. I turned off the A/C and radio, turned the car off, and then restarted it with no problem and it's been fine all day. And, just yesterday, my trans started jerking again. What a headache! So, this afternoon, I took it to the dealer again to have both the stalling and jerking checked out and lo and behold, it jerked when he drove it, too. Their service schedule is so full that they can't work on it until next Friday. They have constantly told me there have been no recalls on this car. Is this true? Also,could someone tell me what the letters SE and SES stand for and are those models in a lower category than the LX? I feel stupid asking, but such is life! I am learning a lot about cars and dealers since I've had this Taurus since my other cars simply had no major problems at all. And neither has my husband had problems with his Silverado, nor my daughter with her Toyota. I am Corolla and Saturn. Since there are many used car sales going on right now, I feel I need to get away from Ford and buy something different.

#1334 of 2996 Re: Car or Dealer: [jokev2] by snowman

Aug 19, 2004 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: jokev2 (Aug 19, 2004 2:53 pm)
I think SE and SES is for Generation 4 Tauruses.
SES has 150 hp Vulcan engine, SE - I think - may have 150 hp or 200Hp Duractec engine.
For the recall issue, just call Ford and give your VIN, they will tell you whether your car is due for a recall.
 
I have my SES for 3 years, not a single issue with transmission or engine.

#1335 of 2996 Transmission Question by headachenj

Aug 20, 2004 (10:42 am)

I have just purchased a 1997 Sable GS during the initial test drive all seemed good. The interior and exterior of car is immaculate. But on the 2nd day I noticed the car jumps and the speedometer was not moving, then it just started working again. I think it may be the transmission. Today is actually my 3rd day driving and it has not done it. I have to go to PA tomorrow should I take the chance. Car has 98,000 miles??? Help!!

#1336 of 2996 Re: Transmission Question [headachenj] by snowman

Aug 20, 2004 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: headachenj (Aug 20, 2004 10:42 am)
Looks like tranny is slipping. Check the oil, if you see bubles, that means to much oil in it. Suck some of it out thru dipstcik by vinly tube. Seller might put extra oil to cover up some leakage or some other issue. Check th ebottom of the car to see it si leaking tranny oil or not.

#1337 of 2996 Car or Dealer by jokev2

Aug 21, 2004 (1:06 pm)

Thanks, Snowman, for the info. I am currently looking for another car. No more Taurus for me!

#1338 of 2996 jokev2 by fdthird

Aug 23, 2004 (6:19 am)

Tell me you are kidding. You have a 10 year old Taurus with 134,000 miles on it and you are acting like its a brand new car and you've had all these problems in the first 3 months! Lets be reasonable...the car has been in your family for 7 years and you've put almost 110,000 miles on it.
 
When cars get old they start to drive you nuts...those of us who have had "old" cars have all experienced it. At some point, it becomes clear that in the long run its easier on your mind (and sometimes even your wallet) to move on. I think that's the point you're at...and think you'd be in the same position whatever kind of car you were driving.

#1339 of 2996 jokev2 and snowman by badgerfan

Aug 23, 2004 (8:27 am)

When current generation Taurus came out in 2000, base model was LX, next was SE, then SES, then SEL. The base engine was Vulcan, but I believe the Duratec DOHC was standard on SEL and optional on SES, which is the car I own. It may have been optional on the LX and SE also. It is easy to tell current generation Taurus as the base Vulcan has no insignia behind the front wheel well. The Flex fuel Vulcan has a little leafy insignia and the Duratec has the 24 Valve DOHC insignia.
 
Higher trim levels usually just had more optional equipment as standard and it varies from one year to the next.
 
Jokev2, while I sympathize with your problems, it sounds as if a poor dealer and your inability to properly describe or demonstrate the problems and to get action, especially on the transmission was your biggest issue.
 
The other problems some of which were intermittent are sometimes very hard to diagnose.
 
That said, you did buy a used vehicle with unknown prior use/abuse, and you really now are getting up in years and mileage, so repair rates will increase on all older cars.

#1340 of 2996 AC Problem 01 Sable by sable_bill_pa

Aug 23, 2004 (3:57 pm)

I have a Sable 01. The air was working fine but after the engine was shut down later in the day the blower only blows hot air. I have auto control and no setting changes the condition. I checked fuses and relays and find that when the ac clutch relay coil should be energized it isn't. Seems like a damper is stuck on heat ( the air is very hot) and maybe an end switch isn't allowing the ac clutch relay to close. Any thoughts? Thanks. Bill

#1342 of 2996 Re: AC Problem 01 Sable by tig2002

Aug 24, 2004 (10:44 am)

Sounds like a "Freon" (R134) pressure is low due to leakage in AC system, or defective pressure sensor. I would stop by local AutoZone and buy a sensor first (around $10), replace it and see if it fixes the problem. If not, consider adding R134 in the system, but make sure to check the pressure in the system first (I believe pressure ranges, low and high, are shown on the sticker under the hood).
 
I had similar problem on my Dad's '00 Taurus, started troubleshooting by adding R134 first - didn't fix it. It turned out the AC relay was defective, so I had to remove an extra R134 from the system and luckily did not damage the AC by R134 “over dosage”.

Messages Page 135 of 301

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Most Popular in Forums

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement