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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 221 of 300

#2201 of 2996 Shocks/Struts for 2002 Taurus? by jaxs1

Jan 13, 2006 (4:32 pm)

Does a 2002 Ford Taurus SES sedan with Vulcan engine have struts at all 4 wheels or just front struts and rear shocks?
There seems to be a debate on this. Different answers from different people.
 
What is typical life expectancy before need of replacement?
Should they be replaced for "wear" or only for failure?
Are aftermarket replacements such as Monroe from Sears or Firestone better or worse than the standard OEM struts/shocks?

#2202 of 2996 How to change a Mercury Sable fuel filter by tricon7

Jan 14, 2006 (9:18 am)

I've never changed the fuel filter in my 1997 Mercury Sable, but it's sure in need now. Where is it located and if I've never done it, is it something I could tackle or best left to a shop? I'm not terribly mechanically inclinded, though I'll try it if I think I can do it. I can't drive the vehicle to a place, as it really isn't getting power above 10 mph. I need to pick up the part if possible.
 
Any ideas?

#2203 of 2996 95 Taurus Won't Turn Off by nonmechanic

Jan 14, 2006 (1:59 pm)

My son's 1995 Ford Taurus will not shut off! Last night, I had to pull a fuse to get it to shut off. Even at that, the engine died, but the radio and other lights were on, so I pulled a battery wire off as well. As it is running, you can move the key back to the off position and pull the key out, and the car keeps running. When I put the fuse back and hook the battery up, I can start it again, but then it won't stop again. I replaced the ignition lock mechanism (where the key goes into), but still the same problem. It'll run without the key!
 

#2204 of 2996 99 mercury Sable Trouble Codes by jaw3

Jan 14, 2006 (2:56 pm)

I have a code 171 and 174 (system too lean, bank 1 and 2). I replaced the fuel filter as a friend told me. I reset the code by taking the battery loose. I drove about 50 miles, highway and in town, starting and stopping the engine several times. When it sat overnight the sensor light came on again this morning, any ideas?

#2205 of 2996 Re: How to change a Mercury Sable fuel filter [tricon7] by alcan

Jan 14, 2006 (6:41 pm)

Replying to: tricon7 (Jan 14, 2006 9:18 am)
Here you go, easy job. Click on any of the diagrams for a full screen picture:
 
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1- a/e5/9b/0900823d801ae59b.jsp

#2206 of 2996 Re: 99 mercury Sable Trouble Codes [jaw3] by alcan

Jan 14, 2006 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: jaw3 (Jan 14, 2006 2:56 pm)
Time to find out why it's running lean. First, check fuel pressure with a proper fuel pressure gauge. If it's ok, start looking for vacuum leaks. The PCV valve grommet is a usual suspect. If it's ok, check for any split, cracked or disconnected vacuum hoses. Also make sure there are no cracks in the air ducting from the mass airflow sensor to the throttle body, and the ducting is fully seated at both ends. If nothing is found, might have leaking intake manifold gaskets. Bet bet for diagnosing that is a shop with a smoke machine.

#2207 of 2996 Re: Shocks/Struts for 2002 Taurus? [jaxs1] by badgerfan

Jan 16, 2006 (10:18 am)

Replying to: jaxs1 (Jan 13, 2006 4:32 pm)
It has struts at all four wheels.
 
My experience is they will usually be good for at least 100K miles and maybe much more.
 
Usually you can tell when they are getting bad on any car when the car starts to wallow and continue to bounce a while after going over dips and road undulations. The exception may be on most Buicks of older than current design, and larger Toyotas-Camries and Avalons, where the suspension is quite underdamped by intent to produce that soft mushmobile ride.

#2208 of 2996 2003 Taurus Air Bag Light flashing code 42 by manning01

Jan 16, 2006 (4:45 pm)

My 2003 Ford taurus is blinking a 4 followed by a 2 code several times than stays on. So assume it's code 42 I checked the horn and cruise and they work so I can assume the slider connection "clock spring is okay". Does anyone have an idea what is causing this fault. I don't have access to the code discription and no work has been done on the car since I got it 2 years ago "no problems untill now". Any help would be greately appreciated....

#2209 of 2996 Re: Shocks/Struts for 2002 Taurus? [badgerfan] by jaxs1

Jan 16, 2006 (6:02 pm)

Replying to: badgerfan (Jan 16, 2006 10:18 am)
There was some cupping on a tire and the tire shop said that is a sign one of the shocks is bad.
Car had about 40,000 miles at first sign of tire cupping and tire only had about 10,000 miles. The tire is noisy at about 40mph and there is a very slight thumping vibration felt in the steering wheel at that speed. Feels almost like driving with a small pebble stuck on the tire.
 
The car does not drift right or left, so it seems wheel alignment is fine.

#2210 of 2996 Re: Shocks/Struts for 2002 Taurus? [jaxs1] by doohickie

Jan 16, 2006 (10:13 pm)

Replying to: jaxs1 (Jan 16, 2006 6:02 pm)
One thing I've learned about Fords (and really, cars in general) is that it pays to balance and rotate the tires regularly. If you've been doing that, then perhaps there is a suspension problem.
 
If you haven't rotated or balanced, you may have just let a small imbalance propagate to the point where it ruined the tire and may need to replace some tires. But if you have rotated and balanced, then yeah, it could be a suspension part such as a strut.
 
My wife's 03 Taurus has 65,000 miles on the original tires and aside from a little more road noise (which may be from the tires or perhaps the wheel bearings), they are still in amazing condition. No wobbles, no bumps, and still decent tread (5/32"). I've never seen original equipment tires last so long.

Messages Page 221 of 300

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