This is topic strange problem in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by cheap (Member # 858) on :
 
Got a strange problem, need help internet-diagnosing.

My 96 Mercury Sable wagon (ford taurus) is actin real messed up. When I shift out of park, the radio kicks out (just the volume - the display stays on) and some of my other things go intermittant - I'll lose power steering in and out, my dash warning lights for some things will come on (seatbelt light) even tho theres nothing wrong (seatelt plugged in); I'll hear a clicking, somewhere under the dash area sometimes. The wierdest part is that if I shift into Neutral, the problems all go away. So everything works in park, not in reverse tho, then works again in neutral, and then not again for OD, D, and 1st gear. Ford said there's no recalls for shit like this, and the service advisor suggested a bad ground possibly. Except the radio display doesn't go out, just the volume? It's got one of those integrated dash dealies, so maybe it has a seperate amp on a different ground circuit? I don't know. I can't find any loose wiring that jiggling causes the problem to come in and out, and I don't have a wiring diagram for this car. Any ideas?
 
Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :
 
Shifter is on the column, correct? If so, I bet your column has lost it's ground somewhere.
 
Posted by cheap (Member # 858) on :
 
yeah shifter is on the column. I think I found what the problem is; there's a control module underneath the steering column that seems to tie in to a bunch of items. I'm gonna get a new one tomorrow.
 
Posted by Sean90GT (Member # 33) on :
 
Definite ground problem. Try tracing the ground or just rigging up a ground before replacing the module. That might cure it.
 
Posted by cheap (Member # 858) on :
 
ok, Q for ya-

If it's a ground problem, why does everything work in P, NOT work in R, work in N, and NOT work in all the fwd gears? What's different about Neutral and Park that affects the ground system? I could understand if it only worked in park and maybe the shifter mechanism was pulling a wire as it was moved down, but not when it skips a gear and works then. Just doesn't make sense to me.
 
Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :
 
the shifter makes and breaks grounds based on what pos the lever is in
 
Posted by cheap (Member # 858) on :
 
how and why??
 
Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by cheap:
how
it has a little switch that makes and breaks, check in the chiltons, i used to have the ford manuals on cd, but i cant find it... ill look tho..

quote:
Originally posted by cheap:
and why??
ask ford's engineers... [Razz] [Wink]
 
Posted by cheap (Member # 858) on :
 
If it has a switch it's inside that module I want to replace, because the rest of the linkage is all mechanical from what I could see.

I'm saving the receipt just in case
 
Posted by BlueOvalRacing (Member # 1531) on :
 
It's the manual lever position (mlp or tr) sensor on the trans. Ford has a service message for the exact concerns you have. Here's a copy:

09227 *
FOR TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EXHIBITING A LOSS OF RADIO SOUND, POWER WINDOW FUNCTION, OR CONTINUOUS REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN TRANSMISSION SELECTOR IS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. PERFORM PROPER DIAGNOSTICS FOR THESE CONCERNS. IF NO SOLUTION IS FOUND THE CAUSE OF THESE CONCERNS MAY BE THE TRANS RANGE (TR) SENSOR. DISCONNECT HARNESS FROM THE TR SENSOR & RECHECK FOR CONCERNS. IF OK, INSPECT CONNECTOR & SENSOR PINS FOR DAMAGE. IF OK, REPLACE THE TR SENSOR. IF THE SENSOR IS SHORTED INTERNALLY VOLTAGE MAY BE SUPPLIED TO THE START INPUT CIRCUIT CAUSING THE GEM & RCU TO SHUT DOWN CONTROLLED FUNCTIONS. REFER TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THE CORRECT PART NUMBERS. FOR 8-PIN CONNECTOR USE P/N F5DZ-7F293-BA. FOR 12-PIN CONNECTOR USE P/N F6DZ-7F293-A.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/27/1996

Get that part (F5DZ-7F293-BA) from a dealer, rewire the connector to the new style using the schematic that comes with the sensor, and when you install it, put the shifter in neutral (e-brake on), and line up the marks that are on the sensor to get the correct alignment. If you need any more info, let me know.
 
Posted by cheap (Member # 858) on :
 
You rock - that's exactly the problem I'm having. Thanks for the help!
 
Posted by BlueOvalRacing (Member # 1531) on :
 
no problem [patriot]
 
Posted by cheap (Member # 858) on :
 
You were right, the TR sensor was the problem. $70 later my car is workin right. I owe you a beer next time I'm in CA!
 




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