96'Ford Taurus Electric Problem!!

[bandit11]

Hey everyone.

I am new to the forums, i found this forum by searching every where online.

My problem is this, when i turn my key to accerssarys everything works fine. When i turn my key to the "on position", everything starts to fail.

What i mean by that is, My radio doesn't work, my reverse lights no longer work, my windshield wipers dont work, my speedometer doesnt work, my entire hud system doesn't even light up.

The problem has to be electrical somewhere. I am not sure what it can be... I been reading around everywhere and it says its the Neutral Safety Switch (TRS) so it sounded like the same problem as mine.

I went to the autostore and bought it for 45 bucks. Replaced it, and nothing.. didn't fix a damn thing.

Does anyone know how to fix this? It's driving me nuts.. all i can think its a short somewhere... maybe in the steering column.. who knows. Please help!!!

[KimMG]

Have you tested the ignition switch?

[bandit11]

Thanks for the response. I am really not to smart when it comes to cars and stuff. My father is basically the car man. He hasn't been well health wise so he hasn't been able to help me much..

How would i test the ignition switch?

I would love to just bring it to the car place, but i have no money really... well not a couple hundred to have them fix it...

[shorod]

If you private message me with an e-mail address for you that can accept PDF attachments, I can send you the ignition switch checkout procedure for a 1998 Taurus which should be nearly identical to your car.

-Rod

[brokenantimatter]

I just sent my 96 Duratech Taurus into the shop today for this very reason. The windshield wipers had cut out and then two days later everything else electronic:
Windows
Wipers
Power steering
Brake Assitance

653: Transmission Control Switch did not change states during KOER self-test.
675: Transmission Range sensor circuit voltage out of range. Hard fault present, vehicle is in Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM).

My mechanic told me an improperly grounded wire in my 3rd party radio installation had grounded by touching the ash tray inside the dashboard. It eventually shorted out and killed the TRS.

Also if you installed the TRS yourself, regardless of what Chilton might say it does need a special tool or your harness that goes into the TRS might be bad. If you think the harness could be bad get a voltometer and check it.