Q: Low coolant light comes on intermittently.
There is coolant in the reservoir up to the cold fill line and the temperature gauge is only 1/3 way up from cold.
A: may have air trapped in coolant system, or may have bad sensor
Q: The car stops after being driven for 5-10 minutes. A fuse was burnt out.
A: Assuming that replacing whichever fuse didn't help the problem, I think you are looking at a distributor problem..... module assembly......
However they are expensive, so follow proper diagnostic procedure and check it first before buying a new one..... Ed
Q: Hello All
My 96 merc sable wgn's "service engine soon" light is on. I replaced the OS
sencor about 6 mons prior and the light went out.
But now it's bac again.. I,m pretty handy can I
get the code from the vehicle myself? And what are the codes. If I new these things I could probable fix the problem without spendind a
whole lot of money. Thank you. Brian W macdonald
BMacDonald@Cahners.com
A: Brian , is the gas cap on properly ? This could be your only problem . Replacing the O2 sensor may have been only incidental to something else . Most modern cars/trucks require that the gas cap be on and tight . Other wise the check engine light will come on . Also , make sure that all gaskets are in place in the air delivery system . A leak here can cause a multitude of problems . Check the simple stuff first , that may be all that is at fault .
Q: dies driving, won't start, till we bang on little box up front.
A: Is the box on the top of the radiator support? I'll bet it is. If so,you have a problem with your IRCM(INTEGRATED RELAY CONTROL MODULE)In that little box, among others, is your Fuel pump relay. It is not servicable by itself. First check the plugs going into it, If they are good, Go to your local dealer, and ask for an IRCM, that's your mystery box.
Q: The spring broke on the passenger side. WHat would be the easiest route for removing the spring?
A: The front spring is part of the strut assembly which now needs to be removed and disassembled to replace this spring portion...
You will need a spring compressor to assemble with new spring... or get a complete used one ... Ed
Chassis / Suspension & Steering Vibration When braking Always
Q: Hi , This is Dan from Buffalo N.Y.
When i"m driving on uneven, bumpy road surfices or turning left or right or braking I get noise from the front end . I've taken it to my mechanic at Midas and they can find nothing wrong yet the noise is still there. The struts have been replaced and still doesn't fix the noise. The noise is similar to bad wheel bearings but those checked out o.k.
Baffeled in Buffalo
A: Check to see if the brake pads are loose in their holding brackets. Ed
Ignition System Malfunction When driving When warm
Q: I just purchased a 93 sable.. the car could run for ten miles or run for 100 miles then it will just quit... then engine light comes on and the car dies..
If you pull over and sit along the road for a couple of minutes it will restart and run fine, until it happens again... a friend said it might be the ignition module??
It runs fine until this happens. After it stalls you can hit the key and it rolls over fine you just need to waite a couple minutes until it will fire up and start....
A: Igntion module is a good possibility. Sometimes if they are faulty, the heat will effect them causing this to happen.
Q: my engine was replaced under warenty from dealer. they did not clean out the ratiator. my car blew water out of the overflow due to the ratiator being pluged. shold i have to pay for the damage or should they?
A: they should have done that and you should not pay anything
Drive Train / Driveline Other When driving Not applicable
Q: Is it possible to make a 1988 AXOD transmission work in a '92 Sable? Can some parts be taken-off the '92 and placed onto the '88 for the electronic controls to make the '88 shift electronically?
A: You are trying to build yourself a nightmare that will have you awake for many many nights. I wouldn't. Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction When driving Always
Q: My Sable's electrical system recently started spazzing out. First of all the instrument panel lights only work if the overhead dome light is on. Secondly, the temperature guage falsely reads hot. Thirdly, the heater will not blow warm air. I assume all of these are connected at some point in the elec. system. All fuses seem fine. I appreciate any help. thank you.
A: You have a faulty dashboard chassis ground. Locate it below the dash panel and tighten.
Drive Train / Driveline Malfunction When starting When cold
Q: My Sable won't go into reverse without slamming on the brake...
A: If this car has a "brake on before shifter works" safety system.... adjusting according to specs will help...... if not, with more information we should be able to help..... Ed
Q: After the car is started and run for a reasonable amount of time, and is turned off, it hesitates or refuses to re-start.
I have been told it may be the timing belt but not for sure.
No other problems with car. Thanks.
A: The timing belt does not know if the car is warm or cold.....
Maybe look in the fuel injection system as pertaining to hot or warmed up engine.... cold start system... temp sensor, etc......Ed
Q: My sable's transmission wont go into gear. it started slipping just a little from first to second gears, then inoticed itwould kinda jump into reverse a little while in park after 5 minutes of idling.
Now when i shift into a gear, nothing, i give it gas and you can hear it meshing and trying to grab.
I am not a pro but sounds like to me either loss of pressure in the tranny fluid or torque converter is out and not engaging.
A general idea of what i am experiencing would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
A: You could try to resurrect this transmission by getting it powerflushed. Otherwise I am afraid you will need to replace the tranny. Slippage is usually caused by contamination the powerflush will clean this out but the damage may be to extensive to correct. It is best to catch this at the onset of any slippage.
Ignition System Won't Start When stopped Not applicable
Q: Is there any way to unluck my steering wheel and gearbox with out an ignition cylinder?
My ignition cylinder broke when my car was in 'accessory mode'.....
This means my steering wheel and gear stick are locked..... I can't move the steering wheel or gear box.
I tried replancing the ignition cylinder with another one to no avail.
A: Had you taken the ignition cylinder out, or disassembled the steering column to replace it??..... If so, redo the procedure.
It should work if installed properly...... Ed
A: sounds like a vaccume leak, check all vacuum lines going to the intake manifold. also check the throttle linkage to be sure its not binding anywere.
Q: Hard to start , then puts out black smoke after
starting. When put in drive or reverse engine
chokes down again.
A: Check your fuel pressure regulator and fuel pressures. Also the engine temperature sensor. If the computer thinks you are in Antartica, it will meter fuel accordingly. Ed
Ignition System Malfunction When driving When warm
Q: 1989 Mercury Sable
Over the last 4 days the first time I start the car it runs ok while backing out of the driveway.
After putting it into drive and go to give it gas it almost dies ( the rpm's drop down to the 1st hash mark) and you can press the gas pedal down to the floor and rpm's stay there and car will not move.
The car then dies.
This takes about 5 - 10 seconds. When trying to start the car the engine is barely turning like it isn't getting enough gas.
Once started it runs all day without a problem.
Time of day doesn't seem play into it as it has done it in the morning and in the afternoon. Car idles fine and has been running ok prior to this.
Thanks
Russell
A: Throttle position sensor/map sensor would be my start points. Ed
Q: I have a 3.8L engine, & got the appropriate Drive Train Belt from Auto-Zone. I can't put the new belt on, as it seems to be about 2" to 3" too short (belt part# 1105K6). I wonder though if I have the belt run correctly. The only reference I have is a Haynes book that is supposed to cover this year/model, but is written for the very similar Ford Taurus. In the book, it says to use a 1/2" drive breaker bar to move the "automatic tensioner". Well, if this car has one, and it's in the same position as the ford, there's no way to get a breaker bar near the tensioner. The wheel well blocks it. Is there some online reference that will show me the correct procedure for running the belt. Or maybe, am I missing some simple procedure for moving this tensioner? I have loosened the pivot screw & removed the screw at the other end of the alternator. That's how I was able to remove the old belt.
Thanks for your help,
Jeremy
A: You should have a sticker underhood showing the routing of the belt. From some autoparts stores, (autozone for example), you can get a tensioner tool for the job. (you pay a fully refundable deposit)
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction When driving When warm
Q: The interior lights, i.e. dome light, clock, etc do not work. I was wondering if you could tell me where to find an owner's manual or an accurate fuse diagram for this vehicle. Thank you.
A: Go to your local Ford dealer and have them print out you a diagram, also have them run you vin # for TSB's
Q: It will hesitate, and stall in warm to hot weather after being parked, or in stop-and-go traffic. But it will speed up when traffic starts to move.
No abnormal sounds. In cool weather runs fine. Is it a sensor? If so, which one??
Thanks
A: As long as the engine is not overheating some because the cooling fan is running, then yes, I would look for a problem in the coolant temp sensor that signals the computer.....
Check engine temps first though.... Ed
Heating / Cooling System Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: The a/c compresser locked up, and I'm putting a new one on.
Do I need to change the drier for the air system too? And what else do i need to look at or replace?
A: Yes you do.... and wash out the lines and the condensor core... Add a filter also... Ed
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