2002 Taurus

[nelsonso]

Hi, I'm looking at buying a 2002 Taurus SE. I like everything about it except when you are completely stopped it has a vibration in the steering wheel. Once you start to move it goes away. If you put the transmission in neutral is goes away just a little bit. Does anyone know what it could be?

[alex boss]

Originally Posted by nelsonso

Hi, I'm looking at buying a 2002 Taurus SE. I like everything about it except when you are completely stopped it has a vibration in the steering wheel. Once you start to move it goes away. If you put the transmission in neutral is goes away just a little bit. Does anyone know what it could be?

Sounds like the engine has a miss- if you are not sure of what to do, take it to a mechanic and have them do a purchase car check for you. For $50 to $75 you can save a lot of headaches. Engine misses can be very easy to fix or very bad news. Let a pro help you decide. Alex

[nelsonso]

It's not like a miss but more like a vibrator (good massager) in the steering wheel which wouldn't be bad to have if you had a switch to turn it off when you didn't want it anymore. Are front wheel drives like that? It's like you can fill the engine up and through the steering wheel, but only when your stopped.

[alex boss]

Originally Posted by nelsonso

It's not like a miss but more like a vibrator (good massager) in the steering wheel which wouldn't be bad to have if you had a switch to turn it off when you didn't want it anymore. Are front wheel drives like that? It's like you can fill the engine up and through the steering wheel, but only when your stopped.

Still the same answer-have a pro check it out. Lots of "could be's" including very bad motor mounts. Lots of very car smart people on this forum, but long distance diagnosis can have you in a car that costs you a fortune in repair. And you are not the first person to go into "I gotta have that car, I don't care, I gotta have it" mode. If that's where your head is, good luck to you and I hope any fixes are cheapies. Alex

[mwt878991]

I definately would have it checked out before purchasing.

Could have been in a wreck and the subframe is ever so slightly bent and causing the vibration.

Mike

[nelsonso]

I don't know how good a carfax is but I ran one and everything came back good showing nothing ever being done, no wrecks etc. Good or bad??? I don't know. Thanks

[shorod]

I must agree that this sounds like a misfire. Why are you sure it's not a misfire?

You could also have bad engine mounts, but then you will likely notice rough shifts of the transmission.

You don't mention the mileage on the car. Does the person selling the car have any records of when the last tune up was performed? Don't take their word for it (unless they say never), have them show you paperwork showing plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter were replaced or at least checked recently.

A misfire could be due to fuel issues too, not just spark plugs and wires.

-Rod

[umina]

My 01 does this too, its more of a slight buzz felt through the steering wheel. try turning the wheel slightly off center and see if it goes away like it does for me. I'm thinking its the power steering pump, Fords are notorious for having whining pumps even when new. I talked to a ford mechanic awhile back, and he said this is normal, but there is some sort of fluid you can buy online that gets rid of the whine but I don't recall the name.... Hope this helps