Automobile / Mercury / Sable

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Question:  2001 Mercury Sable mileage: 74,000.  Hello,  I have a weird problem. When the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees approximately and I start the engine in the morning, the check engine light turns on and a misfire code is stored on the computer. The car misses a lot.  After I drive it for a while and the engine warms up, it runs smooth again.  I already tuned it up and changed the coils module to try to deal with the misfire code.  Nevertheless, I still have the problem. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. 

Answer:   First, have a compression check done on your engine.  If this checks out fine, you probably have a bad fuel injector.

Question:  2004 Mercury Sable  mileage 3,000: I have a brand new Sable that intermittently will not crank. The dealer said they can't duplicate it so they can't fix it.  When the car operates correctly, you turn the ignition switch to on and the message center displays the mileage and the info for whatever mode you last had it.  When it won’t crank, the message center says Low Oil Pressure.  If you turn the key on and off periodically it will eventually display the correct message and start but it could be 10 minutes or an hour.  It can happen a couple times a day or once every couple weeks. By the way, the oil level is correct.  I'm guessing a faulty computer or oil pressure sensor but I am sure I\'m frustrated with my dealer’s lack of interest in trying anything. Mike

 Answer:  Intermittent electrical problems are extremely difficult to diagnose.  The ignition switch is probable causing your problems.

Question: 1999 Mercury Sable  mileage: 119,000. I seem to have an electrical gremlin. Sometimes when I start the car, the starter won't disengage. The only way to get it to disengage is to play with the ignition key lock cylinder (turn to start position & back a few times) or disconnect a battery cable. It only does this intermittently, and I can't predict when it will happen. I've had it to the shop 4 times already: the starter has been replaced twice, the solenoid replaced 3x, the ignition switch replaced once, and the ignition key lock cylinder replaced once. Any suggestions?

Answer: Sounds like you have replaced everything that normally would have caused your problem. We would suggest hooking up two temporary test lights. Hook one test light to the main power to the starter and the second one to the solenoid terminal that is energized by the ignition switch. Now with the test lights in place, when the "electrical gremlin" strikes, you can pinpoint your problem. It could be damaged wires or a starter gear that does not disengage from the flywheel.

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Question: 1998 Mercury Sable  mileage: 100,000. My car will not start after sitting idle for a while. After I once get it cranked, it will do fine until the next time I do not drive it for a while. This car has a brand new transmission, a new fuel pump (thought this would solve the problem) and two new sensors. I do not want to go through another trial and error and pay out money without getting the car fixed. I will be traveling in about three weeks and I just have to get his problem solved. The car has been put on a computerized board, but no problems are showing up. There has to be a solution.

Answer: If the temperature sensor has not been replaced, it should be. Next check for a leaky fuel injector and check the fuel pressure when the car will not start.

Question:  1989 Mercury Sable wagon  mileage: 109,000.  I've had this car for 2 years, and during cold weather it runs great, but if it gets 70 degrees or higher outside, after I drive the car about 10 miles or so, it will shut down.  It acts like it's not getting any gas.  The fuel filter has been changed and also has new plugs.  After the car sets for about 30 to 45 min.  It will start again and will run until it gets hot and shuts back down.  My temperature gauge shows normal when this happens.  So what could my problem be?

Answer:  Check the fuel pump, it is probably failing.

Question:  1999 Mercury Sable mileage: 110,250.  Transmission pulls for a short time when cold then intermittently after that.   Changed trans fluid and filter and was able to drive for 30 minutes.  It shifted perfectly until it quit pulling suddenly.  What is the most likely culprit?

Answer:  From what you have told us, it sounds like your transmission is going south.

Question:  1999 Mercury Sable mileage: 120,000.  The starter doesn't seem to be connecting with the engine. It is spinning but it isn't gripping.  It is firmly mounted.  Could it be that the tines to the starter that grip onto the engine are worn down?

Answer:  Your problem sounds like the starter drive inside the starter has failed.  Replacing the starter assembly should fix your problem.

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Question:  1999 Mercury Sable  mileage: 61,000.  Car wants to stall every time brakes are applied.  But not if you put the car in N when coming to a stop.  Being a woman, I been taken for a ride on car repairs more than once.  Any help knowing anything might help.  Thank you, Ruth

Answer:  Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Question:  1995 Mercury Sable sedan  mileage: 81,000.  Mechanic talked me into a transmission fluid change just before we left on trip to Florida. Change was made with a machine that pumps in at one connection and pushes the old fluid out through another.  No filters or whatever were touched.  Got to Florida (1300 miles) without the problem showing up but then developed a "check engine" signal light every so often.  In addition, noted transmission would sort of "hunt" (downshift and up shift while cruising at 75 or thereabouts).  Frequency of light on and shift (rpms would go from 2100 or so to 2300 or so fairly frequently.  Is this a result of changing the transmission fluid?  Can I have it repaired?  Would appreciate your help.  Thank you.

Answer:    Assuming you checked the fluid level in the transmission, the problem may be caused by a plugged transmission filter.  The “check engine” light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the engine management system.  The fault code is then stored in the computer.  The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component.

Question:  1990 Mercury Sable mileage: 96,000.  Why don't I have any spark when I turn my engine over?  My engine died on me, as if somebody just pulled the plug, when the car was still running.

Answer:  Here are some things to have checked:  1. Check to see if the timing belt/chain has failed, 2. Check for ignition spark at spark plugs, 3. Check for fuel pressure, 4. Scan P.C.M. (computer) for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Question:  1992 Mercury Sable  mileage: 114,500.  Hello and thank you for your help: I have a bad windshield wiper governor and I would like to know where it is located.  I have looked at the switch, it is in perfect working order, and I can hear rapid clicking coming from behind the dash when the wipers are not working correctly.  I have come to my conclusion based upon the following:  1. Wipers will not wash windshield when wipers are on (intermittent, slow, or fast)  2. When wipers are on intermittent, they will stop in various places on the windshield.  3. Wipers work fine in slow or fast mode.  4. Motor sounds like it should sound.

Answer:  We do not believe your problem is with the wiper motor (governor as you called it), because your wipers work fine on fast and slow.  From what you have described, we believe your windshield wiper switch may be defective.

Question:  1990 Mercury Sable  mileage: 89,000.  Heater is not working properly.  It starts out blowing hot then gets cold.  Head gaskets were done recently.  New thermostat installed.  Heater core flushed.  Radiator only 6 months old.  Temperature gauge is also erratic.  Intermittently goes to hot then comes down to normal range.  I cannot figure this out and neither can my mechanic.  I need your help desperately.

Answer:   We think your problem is a low coolant level.  With the engine cold, and we mean cold, open the radiator cap (not the overflow cap) and it should be clear full.  If not, fill it to the top.  Over the next couple of days, check for coolant leaks under the car when parked.

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Question:  1993 Mercury Sable  mileage: 94,000.  I am losing coolant (about 2 cups per week) internally and suspect that my head gasket is leaking.  I know that replacing it would cost about $400 - $500 dollars.  I was wondering if there is any type of product or additive on the market that would help seal the gasket and give me more time.  In addition, would it help if I simply tightened up the head gasket cover bolts?

Answer:    The answer is no, unfortunately, to both questions.

Question:  1998 Mercury Sable  mileage: 33,000.  My Sable groans and whines when driven at low speeds, like around a round a parking lot.  I thought it might have something to so with the power steering pump but the noise doesn't seem to change all that much when I turn the wheels.  The whine and groaning is noticeable when driving in a straight line.  The noise also does not go up and down in pitch or volume when the engine is revved.  It is not noticeable when driving at highway speeds.  In a possibly unrelated problem, the headlights become dimmer occasionally when the brakes are applied at low engine rev.  They do not immediately noticeably brighten when I rev the engine.  Thank you in advance for all your help!

Answer:    It sounds like you are having a problem with your power steering pump.

Question:  1993 Mercury Sable  mileage: 71,000.   Heater would blow hot and cold at different times. I pressure tested radiator and found a leak in the intake manifold.  The heater also gargled at times when low on water.  I repaired the manifold leak, checked the compression (all six at better than 150 lbs.) have a new thermostat and radiator cap.  Still the heat comes a goes and the heat gauge goes up high at times.   At my wits end.

Answer:    Check operation of radiator fan.  A partially plugged radiator may be causing your problem.   Have the radiator “boiled” out at a radiator service center.  Your heater core may be partially plugged also.

Question:  1989 Mercury Sable  mileage: 136,000.  I have a fuel leak in my car.  Mechanic says from gas tank.  Told me I need a new gas tank.  Can’t they just patch the leak?

Answer:    If your car has a plastic gas tank, replacement is recommended.

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Question:  1996 Mercury Sable  mileage: 129,000.  The service engine light is on, had it checked and got a code 41-oxygen sensor.  Need to know if it is the front or back that needs to be replaced.  Or if I should replace both.  Thank you.

Answer:    Replace both Oxygen sensors.  You may have to have your computer scanned again to reset the light.

Question:  1986 Mercury Sable  mileage: 120,000.  My car recently starts popping sound and stopping.  I have changed spark plugs, cables, and fuel filter but did not help.   Sounds like one of the cylinders is not working on idle speed.  When accelerate car is running well.  As soon as stop at the lights engine quits.  If I start the engine again, runs bumpy.  First, I noticed is spark plug on number three cylinder had oil on it.  Also first start on cold engine I've seen white smog out of muffler. What can be wrong?

Answer: An oil-fouled spark plug is not good.  You may have internal engine problems like broken piston rings.   White smoke out the tail pipe on a cold engine is normal.

Question:  1987 Mercury Sable mileage: 93,000. I have 2 major problems at this time. I have a short somewhere in the vehicle, which mechanics cannot find. The battery and alternator were both changed and there is still something shorting out to the point that I have to disconnect the battery every night because the battery dies out otherwise. I was told to disconnect the alarm system, which I did but it is still happening. I have checked the following to see if it was drawing power: the trunk the hood, glove compartment, etc. When we connect the positive battery it sparks as if something is drawing power, though we know that the clock draws little power because it stays on. I also have a rough idle and a miss in the engine. The engine was compression checked, the fuel injectors were checked and are working well. The mechanic says that it may be the computer because they could not find the miss in the engine and/or rough idling. It feels like there is a cylinder out. The vehicle was given a complete tune up and problems still persist. Please give me your professional advice. Desperately seeking help.

Answer:  Here is the procedure we use to isolate a battery drain. Remove negative battery cable from the battery. Using a 12-volt test light, hook one end to the negative battery post the other end to the negative battery cable you just disconnected. The test light will glow or "light" if there is a drain. If the "light or glow" is faint, that is probably normal draw for the clock or computer. If the "light or glow" is bright, then there is a large drain. That should be corrected. Now start removing and replacing the fuses one by one until the light goes out; that one will be the circuit with the drain. Remember to hold in the button in the door jam for the interior lights. Now about the "miss" in the engine. We would suggest doing a cylinder leak down test, also check for a "flat" cam. If the problem still exists, scan the PCM (computer) for trouble codes.

Question:  1998 Mercury Sable, 99,000 miles. Just purchased this Sable program car. Seems to run fine. However, on several occasions I have noticed a distinct unburned gasoline odor in passenger cabin. In a parking garage this week, I noted the smell of unburned gas while standing outside the car in front of the engine compartment. There aren't any leaks on my garage floor and car idles and runs smoothly.

Answer:  There is a good chance you have a fuel leak. For obvious reasons, this should be checked out immediately. Have the entire fuel system checked. Pay special attention to the fuel injector seals on the engine.

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