1996 Taurus Electrical Problems - HELP!

[GPFred]

RalphJG, I would get a second opinion. I personally go to Certified Transmissions. I've never been steered wrong by them, always good service. I will never go to AAMCO since years back I had an issue with a supposed transmission rebuild that turned out to be a bad modulator. Just my opinion.

[RalphJG]

Thanks GPFred. Unfortunately I am in PA, Philadelphia to be exact and there are no Certified Transmisson places in the state. From their website they are only in 4 states and PA is not one of them.

I will get a second opinion but it will have to be Cottman. Maybe others can guide me. Like I said in my other post I have never heard such a thing as a place turning down work.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by RalphJG

thank you shorod. I took the car to my nearest AAMCO shop and they ran a diag on it and they said that there is internal problems and they will not doa flush and replace the filter beacuse they do not want to disturb the fluid due to possibly large pieces of metal that could get lodged and kill the car. I have never heard of anything. I did not think to ask for a printout of what the internal problems are. Where do you suggest I go from here? Anyone?

There are actually quite a few people on this forum and elsewhere that would agree that you don't want to do a flush. That's why I suggested changing the fluid and filter. I wouldn't necessarily recommend a flush unless the car routinely has tranny flushes performed.

I don't necessarily agree though that you have severe internal problems. I think the $50 or so for the fluid and filter change would be money well spent. At least drop the pan and check the magnet for significant metal shavings or chunks. If you have internal problems that has AAMCO concerned about disturbing large metal pieces, the magnet should give you an indication of that. A small coating of fine metal particles on the magnet is not abnormal though.

-Rod

[RalphJG]

shorod, I misspoke and mistyped. I requested and drop of the pan and changing the filter and fluid and they would not do it. They said that they did not service cars with a possible internal problems because moving the fluid might move and do more damage. I never heard of such a thing. I want to drop the pan and do a fluid change and filter but they will not do it so I am going to call Cottman and see what they will charge. AAMCO wanted 169.00. Funny how they have it posted for 79.95. Stay away from AAMCO. Now I know what the double A's stand for. I won't mention that here.
I will take a few more suggestions.

[sharpweb]

I found this thread in google on 2.25.08, so since its being added to google 3 years later after the post, then I want to add this... Yes, volscot who posted above, is absolutely correct. I have a 96 Mercury Sable having the same problems... No Power steering in Reverse and occasionally in forward gears.

I removed the Radio Mute fuse (far right, next to bottom row). Its a 5amp fuse, btw. After removing it, there has been no more problems. Now my power steering works in reverse. Since removing that fuse my Windshield wipers, Power Locks, Power Steering has not intermitently cut off like it always has been the past 2 months after driving about 15-20 mins.

Yes, the post here (or another site I forgot) reveals that anyone can fix this problem. After about 1997-1998 Ford started changing the name of the part from a Neutral Safety switch a Transmission Range sensor. So when you search Autozone.com or Advanced Auto parts websites, it doesn't return any results and makes it seem that you have to go to Ford dealership which is not true. Instead of searching the correct term of Transmission Range Sensor, instead search Neutral Safety Switch. The part is 25.99 at Autozonep. They have an OEM version that needs ordering for 77.99 but haha, disregard.

Now heres the repair instructions. Now that you know what the pictures look like, then look below your brake resevoir flud container. You'll see this part. It has a cable/linkage thingy in the middle of it and a connector at the end. Its easy to get to from the top of the engine and it is only two bolts holding it down... A 2nd grade student could replace this... But when you locate it, then just read the instructions at the link above.

But until you get around to replacing this part, stop all of your power steering failures and power window/lock, radio, windshield wiper and RR defroster from failing intermitenly by doing this:

Remove the fuse called Radio Mute (far right, next to bottom slot) - Its even labled in the fuse cover. Its a 5 amp fuse. Remove it and all your problems will go away, trust me

[ky greg]

Thank goodness I found this site! Our 96 Taurus is doing the same thing. I thought it was the power steering pump because it was whining very loudly, so I installed a new pump but it still would do the same thing. My wife would tell me that there was a "popping sound" behind the speedometer, then her wipers wouldn't operate on low and the windows would work. Not 1 but 2 what I believed to be qualified mechanics told me that the power steering and the electrical problems were unrelated and that my main problem was the rack and pinion was bad and needed to be replaced and the other problem was most likely a bad relay. I decided just to search around a little on the internet to see if I could find any other clues because I still believed everything was related and also because my wife said they were. After I found this thread, I ran out and pulled the radio mute fuse last nite. My wife drove it to work this morning and everything worked like it was supposed to!

I also called Autozone this morning and the location near my work keeps the sensors in stock and I'll be changing it out Monday morning. I do have a question about installing the new sensor. The instructions from Autozone says to use a sensor alignment tool? Anyone have a shortcut around this or other advice? Also after the new one is in place do I need to replace the radio mute fuse or leave it out?

I would like to thank those that post on this forum and the ones responsible for the site. It has saved us hundreds of dollars. Thank you.
Greg

[ky greg]

Did the neutral safety replacemant today and as stated above, a two year old could do this repair. Problem solved!!! Got the part at Autozone for 25.99 although I did price it at an O'Reilly affiliate and their price was 42.00! AF's saved me a bundle of dough! Thanks again
Greg

[looogan]

Thanks to all, great post! Installed the transmissin range sensor and the"gremlins" are gone. Relatively easy to do.

[Wisgolfer]

Now that I know how to fix the problem on my Taurus - So how important is this alignment tool that Autozone mentions by part number, but Haynes just says "use the proper alignment tool"? What exactly does it align? Is everyone just eyeballing the reassembly and hoping for the best?

this will feel SO good when I stop.....