1996 Taurus electrical/power steering intermittent issue

looogan

The problem was actually best described on another web site, and the suggestion is here as well, does this make sense? Other ideas?

"As soon as I shift gear into reverse, the radio
stops working. Also, sometimes the steering loses power assist (as if the alternator was 'jamming'). I can go reverse no problem however,
engine/transmission seem to work OK. Putting the transmission back to any other gear or park gets steering power assistance back, and the radio starts again. Also, in the dash, the red lamp
'seatbelt' comes on for a few seconds. What the heck is this ?

A: Sounds to me like a loose connection in the ignition switch perhaps. Ed""

looogan

It was actually the transmission range sensor.

jim12051

THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE '96 MERCURY SABLE, YOU NEED TO CHECK YOUR TRANSMISSION NEUTRAL SWITCH, IT IS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.(VERY EASY TO GET TOO.) THE ORIGINAL NEUTRAL SWITCH TAT CAME WITH CAR FROM THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED, AND WHEN ANY AMOUNT OF MOISTURE THAT CAN GET IN THERE WILL CREATE ALL KINDS OF ERRATIC ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. REPLACE THIS SWITCH AND ALL THOSE INTERMITTANT ELECTRICAL PROPLEMS WILL DISAPPEAR.

geogarmx

Thanks a million. My sable just started with the exact "symptoms".You saved me a lot of time, pain and money. I will get it replaced asap. I want to do it myself,Do you know if I need the transmission range sensor alignment tool?