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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008
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Comments
The fast idle is a normal occurance. I have a 2001 Taurus with the standard engine. The engine does fast idle from a cold start. However, the idle does drop after about 20 seconds or so. If your idle does not drop after a reasonable time, that is NOT normal. After you start in the morning, and after about 30 seconds, try shifting into nuetral and see what happens. Your idle speed should drop to about 600 to 700 rpms on your tachometer. The fast idle was probably designed as an emissions reguirement. The fast idle during a cold start helps heat up the engine and the catalytic converter to cut down on pollution.
Bill K sends
I really appreciate it.
Someone posted they only paid $1040 for a similar Ford ESP plan. For that price, I would buy the ESP plan and hope that the car does not need so many repairs that the $50 deductable becomes an issue.
Are there any dealers that will offer a similar price without haggling?
Before anyone says it's worth $2345 because it is Ford and the third party warranty companies will go out of business and not pay claims, geautowarranty.com seems to have a good program (with $50 deductable) available for about half of the $2345 price of the Ford ESP and GE is not about to go out of business.
By the way,I just sold a 1993 Taurus I bought new and put 93,000 miles on-it was a great car for me.That's why I steered my friend towards one.
#2 - The rebate from Ford has nothing to do with the dealer pricing. That is Ford's money and you can take it off the top of the best deal you can make!
One of the dealerships I talked prices with was going to give me a price equaling $3000 off MSRP. You may do better!
Glad your Taurus is treating you well. I remember when I got my '97, I fell in love with it. Four thousand dollars later (in one year of ownership), I look at it as more of an evil ex-wife. It is soul-less, and requires a monthly infusion of money (alimony.) )
the market for a mid sized sedan.
Also, the power steering whined. I've heard this on other late model Fords as well.
Are these 2 items common? What other pitfalls should I look for?
Thank You
Personally, I wouldn't buy another Taurus, or any Ford, due to my recent experiences, the unbelievable number of recalls on recent cars, and the company's horrible treatment of it's customers. That's just me though. Buy whatever you like, and whatever makes you happy... but as a warning, if you get a Taurus, invest in a warranty.
1.)Tie-rods (this is true of any Ford car ever produced)
2.)Transmission
3.)Rotors
4.)AC (especially '97 when they converted to new system)
5.)broken window clips (rattle and drive you crazy!)
6.) Oil leaks (seals tend to go around 80K)
I'd ask on the Grand Prix forum but that forum seems to have gone inactive. I also asked when I first got the car and never got an answer.
I'm sure it's the same problem. I thought it was probably because the car was new but I've had it for 2 months now and it has 1600 miles. It only pings when I turn off the engine.
Even though I'm asking on the wrong forum, I thought maybe somewhat would be nice enough to anwer.
iusecad - That's a smart move to hold off on buying a Taurus and saving your money for a house. Now that gas prices are going down, you're not putting out so much money on gas. I try to get 10 years out of a car myself.
I think you can get good or bad in anything you buy, but Toyota and Honda have alot less problems per vehicle.(see Consumer Reports). It's just depressing when you lay out 19 or 20 thousand for a car these days and the quality is just not there.
This past week I put 850 miles on the car while on vacation. I filled up with Mobil, Texaco, Amoco, and Sunoco. All week long the car started the first time, every time. We'll see how it goes when I get back into the normal routine.
CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP
Also, the installation instructions with a crude picture are here:
http://www.radiosandmore.com/installs/fd02.pdf
The picture is crude, but at least you should get an idea of what to do. It really is just as easy as plugging it all in. The toughest part is mounting the unit. Also, mine came set up for vertical operation (sitting straight up and down like it would be in a console). If you are going to install it flat (like you would under the package shelf), be sure to change the little switch on the unit (it's more of a "slider" thing actually - don't remember for sure since it has been about a year since I put on in my daughter's car).
On level ground It may not happen at all, but some times It does a little. (any brand name gas). Where it happens a lot is uphill, especially on a long upgrade of about 9 degrees. Again depending on the gas, exxon, mobil, shell, etc. sometimes it could knock really bad. I have observed all late model taurus behave this way, usually passing by when driving along. I'm really annoyed and upset with this. because I think Ford doesn't have the technology to make an engine that is 100% knock resistant on 87 octane.
For example my other car a 1994 seville STS, the recommended octane is premium only, 91 octane or better. Well lately with increasing gas prices I have been mixing premium with regular, at one point I had about 2/3 regular & 1/3 premium, and it runs just the same as on premium only, with no noticeable degrade in performance or knocking.
Other than that the power is tremendous, very comfortable, the ergernomics are just right, I can power slide the seat on the track to be distant from the steering wheel. I can't do that with the cadillac. The seat stops too short, forcing me drive with the steering wheel geezer style.
I have been using the middle grade and kocking is almost non existant and especially on premium, this car feels like a v8 beast.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
By the way, extra 6 disc cartridges for the ST-6 are about $75 at Ford. I got a bunch at Best Buy for $12.50 each. The one that fits is an AIWA model # MCD-MG55. It's a duplicate of the factory unit except it says AIWA instead of Ford!
Good luck.
Maybe if had blown 1 day after the factory warranty expired, Ford might have "thought about" covering it as a goodwill gesture.
in the Smart Shopper section of Town Hall might help you out...
Grease used on the adjustable pedal assembly may enter the brake lamp switch and contaminate the contacts. This may cause one or more of the following symptoms to occur:
- brake lights stay illuminated or are inoperative
- shift interlock disabled (will be able to shift out of "PARK" position without depressing the brakes)
- speed control will not activate
- cannot shift the vehicle out of "PARK"
- ABS warning light illuminates (on vehicles with ABS)
- battery discharged
http://www.autosafety.org/autodefects/FORD-3.8L.htm
Now, I just jumped in the car to grab the paper and coffee,put it in reverse and it just about made it out of the driveway. At Dunkin Donuts there are two Tauruses in the parking lot. A 97 purchased used and a 99 purchased new. Both owners state no problems of any sort like the ones I've had. I guess I'm just lucky.
So, shank6 fixed his service light I/ gas fill, but I have a nearly full tank and checking the gas cap, it doesn't seem to fit so tight as to prevent air from passing by the threads when turned fully in, so what else could be causing emission light on at 9000 miles? Perhaps it is related to the greasy ad. pedal problem also?
Will be taking the car in Monday, I hope if the dealer is not too busy, and see what happens, besides wasting my time. I have been enjoying the car, but gas mileage goes under 20 when averaging 70 plus a few quick accelerations instead of gingerly doing 65. I get 25mpg if taking it real easy or with the wind at my back.
Kenwood KDC-C717 10 disc changer $200
PIE FRDR/PC-KNW protocol adapter $80
It all worked great and was very easy to install. The adapter comes with all the connectors/cables needed and just plugged into the Rear Control Unit in the trunk. They don't tell you, but I had to remove the factory cable from the right-most connector of the RCU. The factory head unit controls the changer perfectly.
I mounted the changer vertically, on the left side of the trunk. I didn't want it below the rear deck because it blocks access for large objects and is potentially in harms way.
I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the Taurus drives and handles, and especially by the excellent gas mileage, averaging 20 mpg.
It has the base V6, which is adequate, if a little noisy, I can only imagine that the upgraded V6 would be very satisfactory.
Considering the size, handling and price, I would definitely consider a Taurus should I need to purchase another family sedan. Even my neighbor, who's on his third Accord, remarked that he was more comfortable sitting in the Taurus, and was even more impressed by the relativiley low price compared to his V6 Accord..
While depreciation and long-term quality are legitimate issues, the low cost of entry and great driveability of the Taurus makes it a worthy competitior, IMO.
I believe in Ford. Maybe we got the Taurus Alfred E. Neumann built.
It will be dificult to sell at a decent price when the classifieds are full of dozens of 1 and 2 year old fleet cars and prior-rentals at very low prices.
(does anyone say oughta anymore?)
No wonder everyone is in debt all the time.... we keep our cars a long time (6-8 years) and so we buy what we want and take care of it and it takes care of us.
Who cares about resale value!