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electrical problems, power steering
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rafekemmis
Novice
Jul 24, 2006, 2:34 PM
Post #1 of 13
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electrical problems, power steering
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Well, everyone along with my mechanic believes that my car is possessed. My 1996 Mercury Sable has issues that relate to shifting somehow. The biggest problem is that when the car is in reverse, drive, or 1st gear, the power steering, radio (audio only), power windows, power washer, and seatbelt light fail to function. And, without exception, when switched into park or neutral everything starts working again. The power-steering comes and goes (mostly goes) when in drive or reverse, but the radio sound NEVER comes on in drive anylonger. When the power steering goes out the seatbelt light flickers on and off a few times, and then finally off, then stops functioning.
We checked all the fuses. There might be a short somewhere, but i don't think that would have any effect on the power steering. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 24, 2006, 3:22 PM
Post #2 of 13
(2662 views)
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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A wicked wild shot in the dark with this!!!! There should be a sensor on the power steering's high pressure hose that tells the engine to idle up for the load and I would try unplugging it as a try to diagnose this. Gee -- I would think fuses and things would be blowing. Hope it's just something silly but this sounds tricky, T
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jul 24, 2006, 3:29 PM
Post #3 of 13
(2660 views)
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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Simple and cheap fix. There is a transmission range sensor on top of the transaxle. Replace that part and all the possesion of your car will be returned to you. It is located just below and inside the master cylinder on top of transaxle where the shift linkage goes to transaxle. Part is around 40 to 50 usd. Good luck. If you want to repair yourself, there is a small line on the inside part that spins on the shaft and a corresponding line on the outside portion of the housing. Place vehicle in neutral, set parking brake and line up little marks. About a 1/2 hour repair if you have never done one before. Good luck and please post if that is the fix.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 24, 2006, 4:45 PM
Post #4 of 13
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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Wow! Way2Go ----- way2old! You should change your sign off because some folks with the gray hair really did earn it.
It's really just a joke and I've said it before,
"Old age and Treachery will overcome Youth and Skill" ---- except for using cell phones Smile at the day, T
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jul 25, 2006, 4:45 AM
Post #6 of 13
(2652 views)
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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As Tom stated, there is a pressure switch in the power steering system to allow the a/c to shut off on hard turns under engine load and to raise idle when needed due to excessive steering load on the engine. Ford runs these circuits through the transmission range sensor. It is a common problem on the ford mid-sized cars. As the sensor gets more age, wear and tear on it, it will short the circuits internally. The first one we found took about 3 days diagnosing to determine what the problem was. Now when we see the symptoms you describe, the TR sensor is the first thing we go to. Good luck. Let us know the outcome.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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rafekemmis
Novice
Jul 25, 2006, 4:52 AM
Post #7 of 13
(2651 views)
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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wow! i'll cross my fingers and give it a shot.
thanks for the info everyone. I'll post back soon.
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jul 25, 2006, 5:35 AM
Post #8 of 13
(2650 views)
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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Hey Tom. It is no joke. Old age and Treachery WILL overcome youth and skill. I love to watch the new techs try to figure out things I have done in my sleep for the past few years. But, there is only one way we can use that saying. That is to start somewhere. DanD has helped me a lot from just reading his posts. He has a vast amount of knowledge on other makes and models that I do not have by being a fleet repair. But, sometimes these Fords just fall into place. See ya
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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rafekemmis
Novice
Jul 25, 2006, 6:24 AM
Post #9 of 13
(2643 views)
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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The tr sensor is a dealer part as far as I can tell. Napa and autozone don't have it. Do you know of a good place to obtain the part besides the dealer?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 25, 2006, 7:35 AM
Post #10 of 13
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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Hi way2old,
I've concentrated on Ford products for decades. It's not because they are better but when you get used to stuff it just makes it faster to fix.
Have had to take cars to shops that deal with me and the last time a kid under 30 and they let me work with them and I was so impressed at his know how I was taken back to when I was that kid. Been a while, see ya around, T
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jul 25, 2006, 12:38 PM
Post #11 of 13
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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Hey rafe. Around here aftermarket parts houses carry them. Check to see which stores carry the Motorcraft brand. Parts houses may call it by another name)neutral sasety switch, manual lever position sensor). There are many names it goes by.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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rafekemmis
Novice
Jul 25, 2006, 5:31 PM
Post #12 of 13
(2627 views)
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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It worked! All back to normal. The part is actually called the "neutral safety switch" at autozone. A $25 part.
Thanks for all the help guys and gals.
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jul 25, 2006, 5:36 PM
Post #13 of 13
(2626 views)
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Re: electrical problems, power steering
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Cool. Glad you got it fixed. Learn a little something every day and you can't be wrong.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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