197 messages,
Last post on Feb 10, 2013 at 12:29 PM
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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum.
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Mercury Sable, Ford Taurus, Lights, Electrical, Sedan, Wagon
#181 of 197 Re: 2005 Mercury Sable Electrical Problem [flaminsable]
by prazb2jc
Jan 26, 2012 (1:23 pm)
I had posted prior about the same problems with my 2000 Ford Taurus. We also replaced just about everything in hopes of finding and fixing the culprit; nothing helped. Ford is well aware of these failure issues, but will NOT issue a recall. Most of these "undetermined" difficulties are tied to your On-board Diagnostic (OBD) System. Unfortunately, you must take your vehicle to a licensed Ford dealer to utilize their diagnostic scanner which finds the corrupt "code" pinpointing the area/part of malfunction. This is where the rip-off comes in. What costs a bundle is the diagnostic monitoring itself. I was charged over $200 for JUST the monitoring as the first attempt failed in its diagnosis, however, after waiting a few days, the second scan DID find the problem. It was the multifunction relay which kept shorting out that needed to be replaced. The cost of the relay itself (located in the steering column) was minimal. Ford has you hook, line, and money sinker as you'll either go broke replacing parts, or have to file bankruptcy after multiple visits to the dealer. I'm sorry the answer is grim, but this may help others with "weird" problems before they have to play a guessing game of "What's Wrong With My Ford Now"? - played daily by volumes of Ford vehicle owners across the country!
#182 of 197 Re: 2005 Mercury Sable Electrical Problem [prazb2jc]
by flaminsable
Jan 26, 2012 (4:40 pm)
Is the OBD something that can be replaced? Should I still have the starter, ignition switch, and sylenoid replaced to be on the safe side? I can say after this experience I will never ever own a Ford product again. I will stick with GM products.
#183 of 197 Electrical, perhaps?
by bbowers1955
Mar 01, 2012 (12:03 pm)
My 1998 Sable sedan was running fine the other day. When I came out of Walmart, I was able start it and back out of the parking space only 3 or 4 feet before it died. Then it cranked but wouldn't start. Each time I tried to start it, it sort of sputtered as though gas was getting to it for a half-second then wasn't for a half-second, back and forth. It was almost like it wanted to backfire.
Anyway, I called my wife (she knows more about cars than me) and she had to drive 30 miles to come get me. Of course, when she arrived it started just fine and dandy.
While I was waiting for her to arrive, I asked the dude in the Walmart auto service area if it could be the fuel pump going bad. He said that my description sounded like it was something electrical. Then I remembered that for the last 5 days or so, the dome light was staying on for a long time--both when I went for a drive and when I parked it at home...it stayed on.
My Question: Is there some way that a mechanic can test the electrical system to see if the problem was electrical based? If not, then what can I do?
Thanks.
#184 of 197 Re: Electrical, perhaps? [bbowers1955]
by mike_the_k
Mar 05, 2012 (12:46 pm)
I've started to have the same problems on my 1996 Taurus GL - Dome lights staying on, (at first) and now components shuting off when I accelerate - Radio dies, idiot lights flash on, engine dies for a half a second. this is not good. THis all started happening in the last few months.
ALSO - The windshield wiper control stalk sometimes fails to work (again intermitantly) Some central relay or switch componant has got to be intermitantly failling.
DO ALL THESE THINGS RUN THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN? - IS THE MULTI-FUNTION SWITCH CENTRAL TO THE PROBLEM?
The MF-switch is about $100 (or less) but putting it in requires pulling the steering wheel - (there's a youtube video showing how).
So the dealer could want a few hundred $'s for the job.
MK
#185 of 197 '03 Taurus that wont start
by kylleelkins
Apr 15, 2012 (4:08 pm)
Ok I have a 2003 Taurus that i have replaced the batter, starter, relays, and the Starter Relay and it still wont start not even a click that would make it be the starter.
When this all started I was driving on the going about 45 and then the car just died, i thought it might be the battery, or starter so i tried jumping it off, nothing so i had it towed to my house, next day replaced the starter, and battery and still nothing not even a click or anything.
When i turn the key to try to start the car, all the lights come on, but nothing else. Any Ideas?
#186 of 197 Re: '03 Taurus that wont start [kylleelkins]
by carl323
Apr 16, 2012 (2:34 pm)
try replacing chip key
#188 of 197 Re: '03 Taurus that wont start [carl323]
by nicklebee
Apr 16, 2012 (2:45 pm)
replace the alternator wire
#189 of 197 Update on my 2005 Mercury Sable GS
by flaminsable
May 17, 2012 (10:22 pm)
After the nightmare I had with my 2005 Mercury Sable with electrical problems and starting, I replaced every single thing on my car. From the Engine, all wiring, to the computer system. It cost me about $5100.00 to do everything and it is cheaper than a new car. I was fortunate to find a local mechanic that cut me a really good deal on labor for everything. I took it to a local Ford dealership and was told that all of the repairs would have been avoided if I got the computer replaced but told my car is practically new.
#190 of 197 Re: problems with 96 taurus [christensenw20]
by scamb
Jul 29, 2012 (3:48 pm)
sounds like your getting a ground off ur fuse panel specially if its a dohc