Ford Taurus Electrical Problems

I am driving around a 1999 Ford Taurus automatic transmission. I got it use 2 years ago and it now has less than 88K miles on it.

I've had a few major problems lately. It's the minor ones that have given me cause for concern: windshield wipers going off for no reason, battery ground terminal needs replacing, inside dome light bulb removed because the light is on all the time, power window locks that work occassionally, etc., etc.

I could go on, but you get my drift.

Are these problems common with Fords &/or the Taurus models or am I just a victim of bad-luck-at-buying-used-cars?

How much more work and $$$ should I pour into this thing before I write it off?

 

The door ajar switch is a common problem. It causes the door ajar light to stay on, the dome light to stay on, and the power door locks to unlock right after you lock them. The simple fix is to spray some WD-40 in the door latch and opening and closing the door several times.

The multifunction switch is also a common problem that causes wipers/washer/high beams to behave erractically. It can be replaced or cleaned.

Other common problems you might encounter are the windshield washer hose cracking or breaking between the engine compartment and hood, the radiator overflow tank developing a small leak which will slowly drain your coolant, and the check engine light coming on due to a bad DPFE sensor. That's all I can think of right now.

Worry about the major expensive problems like the transmission the most. The minor ones are annoying but can be cheap and easy to fix, even for a novice.

 

In the last 3 months, I've spent Over $800 to replace a rusted freeze plug and had 2 mechanic tell me that in order to fix the SES light that comes on which appears to be caused by low pressure from on of the heads, I would have to spend at least $1200 on an engine with less than 87000 miles on it.

This is in addition to the electrical problems.

I just don't have any luck with Fords. I will roblably drive this car until it dies which hopefully won't be any time soon.

 

Hootie, I hope you don't mind if I hijack your thread [slightly] to ask a question, because iit involves the same question about the same vehicle.

I have a '99 Taurus SE, about 110K miles. The SES light is on and the mechanic reads the code as "left bank lean, right bank lean."

He says this is usually a vacuum leak, but he has been over it several times, including using a smoke machine, and found nothing. In addition, he has:

1) replaced the DPFE sensor Iwhatever that is). This was the first thing done and may have been to clear a different code.
2) replaced the mass flow sensor. The mechanic found a service bulletin indicating a contaminated sensor could cause the SES to display the fault code above. But the SES came back on.

FWIW, this mechanic is certified and [in my opinion and the opinion of others better suited to judge] highly skilled and experienced. He is also, I might add, a man of extraordinary honesty and integrity. On several occasions I have gone to him intending to pay for repairs, and he would fix them in a minute or two and not charge me. He could have kept the car, done the work, and charged me and I would have been none the wiser.

Has anyone else dealt with this problem and found some unusual diagnosis?

Thanks

 

Several mechanics have run the computer test and they all told me the code indicated #5 was misfiring. I had the spark plug and wire swapped out and the SES was still on.

If the head was very low on pressure, wouldn't I have significant symptoms?

Anyone????????

 

On mine, mechanic #1 cried "uncle" and referred me to another. Suspects an intake manifold gasket leak. Will post back later.

 

would probably be checking fuel pressure while driving the vehicle to see if it is losing pressure wich will set lean codes on both banks much like a vacum leak would.
hootie if the cylinder is low on compression you will usually notice at the least a rougher idle if compression is very low it coould be missing most of the time a compression check of all cylinders should tell you wether it is low and in need of engine repairs.

 

Final report: Bad connection on one of the mass flow sensor leads. Sensor itself fine but bad connection (high resistance) caused iincorrect signal to computer, which in turn commanded incorrect fuel mixture. Repaired, running fine, and SES light is out.

 

I hadn't thought about that. I'll ask about it the next time I am at the mechanics.

 

I had similar problems with the same car, and unfortunately, while at the parking garage at a hospital while visiting, I turned the car off, went into the hospital and shortly after, came outside to take a break, (less than 30 min. from arriving)and I noticed the fire dept. putting out a fire in the parking garage. Walking closer, it was a car in the parking area, and sure enough, turned out to be my car! Some electrical problem had caused a short and ignited, creating a fire under the hood. They put it out, but not before totaling the car. Apparantly, after researching this matter, it was a common problem for this model car, and could have dangerous consequences, having caused death in a car(s) while parked in attached garages in homes. Sorry to give you such bad news, but I would advise you to run, not walk...

 

FORD = Found On Road Dead, Fixed Or Repaired Daily!!

 

Or backwards, DROF = Driver Returning On Foot.

 

My Car Dies And The Windsheild Wipers Go On By Themselves, I Have Not Found Out Why. Any Suggestions