'07 Taurus Shutting off!!

My wife's '07 Taurus shuts off every now and then while she's driving. From what she's told me (it doesn't happen when I'm driving it), the steering wheel locks up, but no indicator lights go off. It eventually unlocks after a few minutes, and drives as if nothing's wrong!

I'm thinking if may have something to do with the anti-theft system, but I wanted to post here to get some other suggestions.

Anybody have any suggestions as to what's going on?

I'm not following this at all. So the engine shuts off (and hence the power steering) then restarts on it's own after a few minutes? What does she do for the few minutes with hard steering, no throttle, and weak brakes? Or does it stall (with no power steering) then, if she parks and shuts the key off for a few minutes, then attempts to restart, it starts up fine? None of the instrument warning lights come on when it "shuts off" like the ones that come on when turning the key to the Run position with the engine off? Have you tried pulling diagnostic codes? Many of the chain auto parts stores offer this service at no cost.

-Rod

Hey Rod
Thanks for responding!!
This morning it happened while I was driving for the FIRST TIME!!!
We were stuck in traffic, and the engine just shut off. The "Check oil" light and "check engine" light were on as if I turned the key to the "run" position. I was able to get to the median, trun to the key to "off" position, then crank right back up.

I'm about to go get it checked out, but if you have any ideas, I'd appreciate them.

So there was no warning, like stumbling or running out of gas? The engine just shut off? If so, I'd be looking at battery cables, PCM relay, and connections under the hood. You might also use a scan tool to pull pending diagnostic codes, see if there's something related to VPWR or KAM. Is there still warranty remaining on this car?

-Rod

I had it hooked up to a diagnostic machine yesterday. Nothing was found, except with the voltage of the "throttle sensor" (I think that's it). We'll change it in the morning, and see if the voltage is corrected.

Well, changed the "throttle position sensor", and that didn't do it. It cut off one me twice yesterday afternoon!

Ok, I noticed something over the weekend. I was driving on the highway the other night, and the car acted like it wanted to stall out, but didn't. I noticed that both times it did, the "Theft Lock" light came on. Now, if I'm not mistaken, every time the car has cut off, this light has come on along with the regular lights that come on when I turn the key to the "On" position.

I'm not sure if that would be considered abnormal or not for the Theft indicator to come on. In the past, the PATS system would only prevent a start condition, but would not interefere once the car is started. I'm not sure if that is different for your 2007. If you can find a shop that is able to access the PATS/SecuriLock system to pull diagnostic codes, that should clear some of this up. If the system is causing the stalling, there should be a code indicating that a theft event was detected. The standard, consumer-grade scan tools will not be able to access the anti-theft system, you will need to visit a well-equipped shop or dealership.

-Rod

Thanks Rod!!
I'll be getting it checked out thoroughly. It's so aggrevating, because it doesn't make any sense, and it only happens every now and then!