Three problems 1. Start it up and it has a really high idle. Will lower when the car is warmed up to temp. 2. It has a hard shift pretty much all the time. 3. Check light is on will have that checked out tomarrow at the parts store. Hope you can give some insight on the first two.

Please post back with the diagnostic code number in the format P0123 as that may very well indicate the source of the first two issues.

To start with though, have you checked the level of the engine coolant as well as the condition and level of the transmission fluid? Which engine does your Taurus have (12V Vulcan, 24V Duratech, or 32V SHO)?

-Rod