2002 Ford Taurus ses, 80,000 miles, V6

Tiny
OHIOCUTIE65
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
This car runs great. Until I turn on the air, or run the heater, then it surges while at a stop, kinda acts like it wants to die. As long as I am in the "drive" position, ( lights seem to dim a little at this time.) The rpms dont seem to pull much when it is acting like it is wanting to die. If I put the car in "Park" it runs fine again. Feels like loses a little power at times while driving. I dont have a clue, have only owned the car about a week or so, please help!
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 AT 9:10 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
I think I would start by haveing the electrical system checked. That Alternater may not be functioning properly.

On a side note, if the battery is original it would be a good idea to replace it with a quality one.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 11th, 2007 AT 4:58 AM
Tiny
OHIOCUTIE65
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ok, I took the car to have the battery And alternator checked, both came out strong. So what should I do now? Gotta run my heater for the winter. Help
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 11th, 2007 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
The next step, is unplug the connector that goes to the a/c compressor and then drive it, checking for the symptoms.

IS there a check engine light on by chance?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 11th, 2007 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
BSTORY84
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
HI, I had the same problem. I ended up changing my spark plugs and that didnot help, I them Bought new spark plug cables and that cured the problem. If that does not work then your AC compressor clutch might be going out. If that is the case it runs you about 400$ I have also had to change that.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Bstory's solution is the result of the unplugging the ac compressor I mentioned, that would be a tell tale sign. Not following the iginition wire situation but, thats auto repair!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
OHIOCUTIE65
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I ended up putting it in the shop a couple days ago. They replaced the #2 spark plug, cleaned the throttle body, and idle air control valve thingie, the I also had a slight oil leak, so they fixed that, cnanged the drain plug?It did seem somewhat better driving it home, but it still shifts a little funny to me, a little out of time so to say? Hard to describe. Thanks for all your help, cant say I wont use this site again, your definitly bookmarked. Thank you again guys!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 18th, 2007 AT 9:17 AM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Glad to have you here. IT is odd that the #2 plug was the only one changed. It is probably a symptom of a bigger problem. I'm not so sure your out of the woods on this.

Not following on the abnormalities you are still having. Try to describe what the car is doing ( revs high before it shifts, hesitates, etc.) As opposed to what you think it is (a little funny to me, a little out of time)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 18th, 2007 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
OHIOCUTIE65
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It is so hard to describe, yes, I thought it was kinda funny they only changed one spark plug as well. Now my check engine light is on as well I took it to Autozone, they put it on theyre tester. It came up the EGR
flow valve? Whats that. Lol. Now, what I mean by out of time a little. Lol. (Sorry bout that). Is it still hesitates just a tad not like the tranny is bad, hesitates before it gets some up and go. Pretty bad I have only had the car 2 weeks, and going on the 3rd time in the shop. And I hear the lemon law is no longer in effect. This sucks. Th car runs soooo smooth. Just all these little things, I also ran an carfax report on it to see if it had been wrecked, nothing there, no floods. Also. Since they changed the plug, and the drain plug, I smell a hot smell, and an antifreeze smell sometimes when I climb out of the car, but no leaks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 19th, 2007 AT 8:19 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Stall While Driving Content

How to Read Codes
VIDEO
How to Read Codes
Instructional repair video
Engine Stalls While Driving
GUIDE
Engine Stalls While Driving
An engine that stalls while driving and then starts back up again, either immediately or after a short time is different from an engine that just wont start or if the...
VIEW MORE