I bought the 98 Taurus last month. Since then, I've had nothing but trouble out of it. It looks to be in mint condition from the paint to the interior but it runs like crap! It started missing only when warm and at 40 to 50 mph. Now it misses all the time at 30-55 mph. Now when it misses, the rpms jump and then drop and the car flutters. I've had the plugs and wires changed, I added gas treatment and I swear I think it got worse. Had the camshaft position sensor changed, still runs like crap. Now the heat won't work. The air is good and cold but when I turn on the heat, no air comes out. It ran like a top during the test-drive and I'm so frustrated with this car now. If I ever get rid of this pos, I'll never have another Ford. But for now I'm stuck with it; so does anyone have any suggestions as to what could be wrong with it now? It's a V-6 3.0 with just over 130K.
Thanks so much for all serious answers!
2006-10-27 11:04:26 · 15 answers · asked by Bree 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It sounds like you have a sensor out, many times the oxygen (O2) sensor goes out and sends the computer wrong information and run the fuel too rich or too lean causing it to run crappy. But since there are many sensors in your engine that send the on-board computer information it could be any one of them. your best bet is to take it to autozone where they will put at scanner on it for free and it will tell you which sensor is out. Also another problem you may be having is with a vacuum line broken loose, vacuum lines control various components in your engine but they are also used to open and close duct work in your heating and a/c system. This may be why your engine is running crappy and the heat doesnt work either.
2006-10-27 11:13:13 · answer #1 · answered by CDog 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People all blame the car maker.. ever thought about who sold it.. I can make any POS run like a top for a test drive to sell it away.. That's why on used it's buyer beware.
You have basically replaced almost all the ignition parts short of the coil pack. You need to find a shop that specializes in check engine lights as you probably have a problem of something going crappy when hot but not setting the check engine light.
I've had coil pack issues in the past with tauruses (it will break down (miss) under a load like say going up a bridge at 45 MPH and will cause an intermittant issue like that, but I also have the $10k computer that can catch what cylinder was messing up going down the highway and able to diagnose it to these coil packs. The mechanic apparently has tried things thinking what it may be, but it will require someone above him possibly to fix it. (I'm not knocking him, it's just that I find most independants are not very good at solving hard driveability issues like this)
The heat issue is probably something called a blend door actuator. another known problem on taurses... it's a little electric motor that moves a door deciding how much cold air or warm air you want.
Taurses had their issues,like those above, but I've seen a lot of different makers and the issues their cars have (wanna buy a chevrolet that can only go 10,000 miles between brake jobs and Chevy says is fine?).. I think it's not the car's fault as either you got stuck with a known lemon that someone didn't want to fix, or you have really bad luck lately
2006-10-27 22:09:20 · answer #2 · answered by gearbox 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It has a lot of mileage. It might have a throttle position sensor problem. They should be able to diagnose it on a computer. Sorry to hear you bought a Ford Taurus. Next time stick to Camry's. No problems with them. The Taurus and The Tbird have a problem in the distributor. The part is no longer made. This may be your problem. The dealer who sold this to you should have disclosed this. If it was a private party then you are sunk. If it was the dealer then take it back and make them fix it. Or leave it there call the loan company and tell them the car is a piece of crap and they won't fix it. You are doing a voluntary repo due to the fact the car was not what it was represented as. The lender will back you unless the lender was the dealer. Check the recalls on the car. someone here called them rebates, it's recalls.
2006-10-27 18:13:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Replace the inline fuel filter back at the gas tank. (CHEAP) You can have a dianostic run on it for about $45.00. This will show trouble codes and is much cheaper than trying to hunt it down by replacing parts on your own. There are just too many items that can cause this problem map sensors , o2 sensors egr valves , crank position sensors, etc.I have them point to whats wrong and i replace it. Last time it was an egr valve. As for the heating issue. Is the fan running or not? I had to replace a stuck thermost on my 1998 Taurus. Good luck
2006-10-27 19:45:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First problem is it is a Ford. I have owned several cars in my life time and I had no problems with any of them except for the Ford also check to see if there are still any rebates available that you might not be aware of that might have something to do with these problems and save yourself some money. I recently had problems with the Dodge I own now. I found out that the problem was a rebate I didn't know about and was fixed for free.
2006-10-27 18:08:28 · answer #5 · answered by kelly_frogs 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Please use carsurvey.org before you buy any car. American cars are crappy. Trucks are ok, but Japanese are better. Nissan has learned from chevy to build crap too. Try ignition modulator, Fords are bad for Heater relays to go out.change that transmission fluid and filter,put sync.atf in it,or add a extra trans cooler now before it costs you thousands.
2006-10-27 18:11:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Adding money to a car in such conditions is no fun. I'd recommend you take it to a shop and run a computer diagnose and then a free estimate to rapair it but over all I recommend you sell it ASAP and buy a Jap Car. Honda or Toyota is your best bet!
2006-10-27 18:08:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
it ia a mystery but it seems as though you are going to be nickel and dimed by the car...next time you are looking at something that high mileage...look at hondas or toyotas ...by the way i have owned 3 ford trucks that sll went over 200,000 miles...trucks are great ...cars are so,so
2006-10-27 18:10:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If possible find a good mechanic who will fix your car and then sell it.130K is lot for a Ford( especially when it's not a truck).
Good luck
2006-10-27 18:28:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have three major things that are wrong:
1.. It's a Ford
2..130K miles
3. 3.0 V6
enough said, take your lumps dump the car and buy a Toyota
2006-10-27 18:06:44 · answer #10 · answered by white61water 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋