1998 Ford Taurus Car shakes and shuts off from time to time

EDWINSIXX

MEMBER
1998 FORD TAURUS

Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Ford Taurus Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My 98 Taurus has 200,000 miles. The last couple of weeks its been shutting off from time to time. ON the highway it runs smoothly, but on the street it sometimes idles rough and when I make a stop it wants to shut off, sometimes it does and sometimes I manage to get to work without having to turn it back on. Also my Overdrive light starts to blink from time to time, but is not as common as rough idling problem. Any suggestions? The car has a lot of miles but it has been very reliable and I don't mind spending a few dollars on it to fix it up and have it running for a few more months till I have to get a new car. There is no Check Engine Light and I have been suggested by a mechanic that my transmission is bad, but I am highly doubtful. Any suggestions?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

With that many miles, I would recommend checking a few things. First, make sure there are no vacuum leaks on the engine. After that, check fuel pump pressure to make sure it is where it should be. Since there is no check engine light, most likely all sensors and electronics are working correctly.

As far as the transmission, does it feel like it is draging the engine down until it dies? Has the computer been scanned to check as to why the OD light is flashing? The transmission has a computer too and can store codes to identify problems.

Let me know.
Joe

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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 12:27 AM

EDWINSIXX

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9 POSTS

I will check all these things and let you know. No the transmission feels fine, I have driven cars with really bad transmissions and this one doesn't feel like that, at least not that I can tell. Thanks for your feedback.

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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 2:06 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

If the trans is good, that is a good thing. Check the other items and let me know what you find.

Joe

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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 11:06 PM

EDWINSIXX

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I have changed the pcv valve, and the IAC and the throttle sensor. From time to time it runs good. Sometimes when I leave my driveway it shuts off on me. I had the car scanned and it said that all these things needed to be replaced. As for the tranny the code reads a bad solenoid, electrical and or mechanical or hydraulic problem. Oh also scanner said egr, but its somewhat new, I had that changed bout a year ago because a friend had an extra one and gave it to me. So in total got 4 codes out of the OBD

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Friday, May 14th, 2010 AT 11:18 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

I would remove the EGR and check for carbon build up both in the EGR and the intake. Also, make sure the valve is working. Also, were you able to check for vacuum leaks? And, does anything else happen when it shuts down like black smoke from the exhaust?