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Mercury Sable Problems
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Any other ideas? Any other owners have ASP and find treatment or cure?
SLZ (both 2000 & 2001's have the adjustable pedals) hit the nail on the head concerning the safey recall and your Sable's gearshift not moving at all. In my original post (#179) I placed the entire safety recall notice 01S08 which concerned the adjustable brakes. I've cut and pasted it below for you. One of the problems outlined is "Cannot shift the vehicle out of "Park." This is most likely the problem that is affecting your 2000 Sable. Please see below. Hopefully your Mercury dealer will correct the problem for you as soon as possible.
Hi all,
Just received a safety recall notice (01S08) today in the mail from Mercury. It deals with both 2000 & 2001 Sables and Taurus's that have the power adjustable pedals.
"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"
The recall stated to call the dealer for an appointment without delay. I called ahead and the parts department did not have the parts in stock as they had not yet received notification from Ford. The Parts Manager stated that he should have parts within 3-4 business days.
Thought all you 2000 & 2001 Sable & Taurus owners with adjustable pedals should know about this safety recall.
I just had the recall done to the adjustable brake pedal a week before-- and the problem was that there was a shorted brake lamp that blew a brake lamp fuse-- the dealer replaced the bulb, the fuse, and the same switch that had been replaced in the recall (I wonder whether it was a shorted lamp that caused the switch to fail, or a defective switch that caused the bulb to short)-- the dealer (there is one person in service who I won't work with any more by my request, and the other two service managers who are outstanding, in my opinion) made the repair at no charge-- much appreciated...
Hers the rest of the story-- and the take home message--
I called Roadside Assistance on Sunday morning (remember, I was stuck on Sat night and the Roadside Representative had never heard of the problem), figuring that the Sat nit people might have less experience (usually ewer employees get stuck working the Sat evening shifts-- always was that way in settings where I have worked)-- the Re on Sunday said he had dealt with this many times, that it was probably brake/electrical related and MOST IMPORTANTLY-- HE TOLD ME WHAT TO DO TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK-- you press the emergency brake and the brake pedal at the same time, put the key in the ignition, turn it either one or two notches (try both-- for me it was 1/2 a notch!) and the car will come out of Park and you can drive it (it will lock back in Park each time you shift to Park-- but the procedure will get you out and let you navigate to the nearest gas station or to the dealer). When i looked over the owners manual, the procedure is sort of described in a small paragraph-- so suggest YOU GO OVER IT-- 'the shifter you save, may be your own....' (sic...)
I did ask to speak to a Roadside Assistance Rep's supervisor, and complimented the person Sunday morning and expressed my concern about not receiving the info on Sat-- the supervisor said he would talk with the Sat person-- i said that was good, but i thought that Roadside Assistance should accept partial responsibility for my expense for the taxi and the rental-- they said to take it up with my dealer-- so i asked for the supervisor's supervisor in case i needed to call back...
my dealer was great (which he has been since we have established a rapport over the first year) i gave him copies of the receipts, and a detailed description of the situation (i had the names and extensions of all the people i had spoken with), and they cut me a check in less than a week--
So anyway that's the story, and i hope that it will help people to review the 'outa park' procedure, and save others an inconvenience.
Take care amigo/as,
steve
While I have the "stump" - Sable owners seem to a "kinder, gentler" breed. None of the flaming I see on some other brands' pages goes on here. Congratulations! Sooner or later we're all likely to need a dollop of assistance. It's a pleasure to surf and learn here.
and better. Just as the price of gas is getting
more and more like highway robbery or high sea
piracy if you will.
I had the recall fix done about a month ago. The
SW feels solid, handles great, is comfortable and
roomy. I still don't know however where the switch
for the back window washer is located. I filled the reservoir but can't use it. I posed the question to the Taurus/Sable SW's thread but no one answered. I'm a little embarrassed to ask this
question but I need to know.
I did go in today to schedule appointment to have the light switch recall done-- told the service manager how pleased I am with the way he has taken care of the Sable-- told him that I would buy another Sable from him in a heartbeat-- then couldn't resist, and said, I may need to buy another one today, to use as a backup when this one gets stuck in Park.... he said they may not let me buy another Sable-- I told him I will work on my sense of humor-- he said I'm on probation--
Seriously, I have been satisfied with the service and the personal touch they have extended at the dealership-- I probably will buy another Sable (I bought it for the car seat and the adjustable pedals-- was the most comfortable driving position i have found in a car-- much more comfortable seat and pedal placement than the Volvo-- the gas pedal placement toward the center of the floorboard causes right foot and leg numbness on long drives-- and pressure on the sciatic-- happens in alota foriegn cars-- any way it didn't on the Sable for me)-- so will probably buy another one in a year-- the service manager did say they may be willing to help me buy another Volvo instead-- depending on my behavior.
Take car(e),
steve
Now - re: the Volvo. A buddy used to own one. At the time, Volvo. was playing up in its ads how long its cars were lasting on the road. My buddy said that was because after five years, every darned part in the car had required replacement!
Ouch!
Regarding your buddy with the Volvo-- I didn't experience major repair expense as long as car was well maintained throughout-- what i really enjoyed was the handling and driving-- the engine just purred-- accelerating from a stop light was like being in a jet-- steady power, no passing gears, great little turbo helped alot, there were very few rattles (even at 175K), no blind spots--could see 360, mirrors well placed, controls were generally right where you wanted them-- it did have a stiff ride at low speeds, but at 85 this car felt like it drove itself-- felt everybit as good as a Mercedes at half the price and a quarter of what it would cost for maintenance-- also bought used Volvo's for about 10k with 80k miles, and sold them with 170k for about 6-7k dollars-- not a bad return-- lastly was unfortunately in a first accident last summer in my 90 volvo wagon-- buck walked right in front of car on two lane-- was doing about 60-- hit brakes-- heard dull thud, deer went flying forward and off to side of road, my front end was dented, the hood was creased, and inside, my soda spilled that was it-- felt terrible about the deer who died, and shaken up, but drove car 40miles to where i live, and left it at dealer for repair-- the reputation about driving in a tank seems credible to me--
It could be that other cars would also have done well-- the Sable has a good safety rating, and i did get side air bags-- and it is much more comfortable for me to sit in and drive...
Take care,
steve
The Sable doesn't seem to have that "rental car stigma" that the Taurus has. Plus it seems to hold up better then the Ford. Any observations?
Has anyone else had this light come on--and lived to tell about it (C have 24K miles on it)? If no one lived, does anyone know someone who had this problem? What happened? Did diet help extend the quality of life? Maybe it would help if C changed my Firestone tires.....
Really, if anyone has some info-- i would appreciate it
Thx
Today the emission control icon on my 2000 Mercury Sable came on-- one weird little icon in my never to be humble opinion-- sure scored low on my list of immediately recognizable symbols-- so after looking at it for a block, quickly pulling over and getting out my trusty Sablese translation manual-- found out what the icon meant (and that, thank goodness, the car was not gonna stick itself in park again-- from my previous posting)--I called the dealer and asked him what would make the emissions control light come on-- I told him that I had not been eating alot spicy foods, and always carry Rolaids-- he said while diet will help some, it was probably a mechanical thang and likely easy to fix--
Has anyone else had this light come on--and lived to tell about it (I have 24K miles on it)? If no one lived, does anyone know someone who had this problem? What happened? Did diet help extend the quality of life? Maybe it would help if I changed my Firestone tires.....
Really, if anyone has some info-- i would appreciate it
Thx
I've read about fuel smells and advice about keeping the tank full of gas, but haven't tried this yet. Also, someone said their smell didn't happen in winter. I got the car in November and didn't notice the smell until probably April (when winter finally ends in Minnesota). Any advice on this one? Thanks.
I have an appointment at the dealer on the 23rd, but have little faith in that after what I've read here.
Anyway, the 93 has been great through the years up to a couple of months ago when it started leaking oil very slightly in my driveway (and everywhere else for that matter). I finally made an appointment a week ahead of time and just then a significant clunking noise appeared in the forward part of the car. I read some posts hear about clunks, but the source/cause seemed to be all over the place in people's experiences.
The diagnosis? My oil pan was rusted (I live in the brutal/salty wintry northeast). The mechanic (non-dealer) said he has seen a number of taurus/sable oil pans rust out. And the clunk was from a stabilizer bar that had come loose. He welded it back. The total cost was $380 and the car is fine again.
Does anyone know if the CD changer will be located in the trunk, or the floor console ?
The sound system itself is excellent. In addition to the 6 CD's, there is also a tape deck in the dash console and the radio of course. The six speaker system really makes a difference in sound. I'm currently enjoying driving around listening to Nick Drake (anyone ever see that Volkswagen commercial a year or so ago?).
Right now, it looks like the best thing to do is find out what the dealer has done (or not done) in the way of recalls, and what they say is available...
Quiet. Refined. Not even a click or a squeak. I can't believe it myself. Never owned a Ford that didn't gobble parts or transmissions. Promised I would never buy another, but this one was the safest in its class (important for the kiddies) and the only one with the nostalgic pop-up rear seat (which, like when I was a kid, my kids fight over and love).
I do keep looking over my shoulder and peering under the hood. I have the base, no frills 3.o liter, and I don't beat on it (the kids do).
We will see, we will see. Still smilin for now!
No wandering, even in gusty winds.
Very quiet on the freeway (I'm on my cell phone, so I would certainly notice)
First three tanks of gas with a 3.0 liter have produced 30, 29, and 27mpg (a/c running constantly on the last one)
Very smooth and crisp acceleration (I used to have a 1.9 liter Tracer, so anything is a step up!)
One concern is that my dealer ran an "Oasis" report that documents all service work in the last 18 months provided by authorized dealers, and it states there are no recalls for this automobile. Previous posts led me to believe there should be a couple.
Another problem was that, as a used car, I was only given one key - didn't think THAT would be a big deal. I was wrong - programmable keys are 29.00 each, along with a labor charge of 38.50 to program them. Spent 108.00 for two keys - ouch!
Other than that, I am a happy camper so far. Feel free to e-mail for further details if you desire.
You should be able to check with a dealer to see if your car has had these recal items done.
My wife still loves ours. That pop-up rear seat makes it for her (kids love it too). You do get comfort over handling, but it doesn't do too bad for a wagon. Most problems on this car are with the "other" V6. If you have the GS, chances are you don't have it. I researched carefully before I bought, and stayed away from the bigger V6 everyone was complaining about.
Wish I got your MPG! I drive 70MPH and have yet to get more than 27 or 28MPG on the highway. It has gotten as low as 18 in town. But, I do step on the gas, and so does my wife. When we are on the highway, we are loaded down with kids, bags, and a 120lb German Shepard (so I guess that figures into it).
Thanks for the heads up on the keys! I will be very careful with mine from now on!
The car has only 36,600 miles and I take excellent care of it.
HELP
ANY SUGGESTION? Hfishbein@cfl.rr.com
DId you recently wash the engine bay? Sometimes those high-pressure sprayers can get water into junction boxes and wiring harnesses - causing intermittent problesm like you describe.
If there are any questions about this model, just let me know. So far everything works great, I love this car !
Matthew
As far as handling goes, the best thing that I did was to replace the crappy General tires that came on the car with Michelin Pilots. The car sticks to the road like glue in all conditions. My 2000 Taurus wagon came with Continental tires as OE, which are pretty good.
I cannot get the car out of park when the temperature is cold - say below 35 degrees or so.
The car starts okay but will not shift out of park until the engine warms up a little. I don't have the problem if I leave the car in neutral with the emergency brake on (instead of "Park"). Any ideas on what could be causing this?
engine. My problem is it is hard to start at times. It is like the engine is flooded and then
it will start. I took it to the dealer and they
replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the lines, but the problem still persists. Has anyone else
had this problem with theirs?