Intermittent power steering and power window problems

PARRYCHUTE

MEMBER
1996 MERCURY SABLE
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

When driving normally (like down the freeway) the power steering will quit working (makes it hard to steer) at the same time the power windows stop working. You can recreate the problem with the car running but stopped by putting the car in reverse, the power steering and windows will quit working, then put it back in drive and they will start working again. I suspect a wiring issue in the steering column but the part about the power steering puzzles me unless there is some kind of sensor that detects when you start the turn that engages the power steering. Also, as the steering and windows return to normal the seatbelt warning light and the coolant warning light turn on momentarily. Please help if you can.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,867 POSTS

Wow! You may need a priest for this one. (LOL) As far as the issues, I think there are two seperate ones. As far as the PS, check belt tension to make sure nothing is loose. Also, I need you to have the body control module (BCM) tested. Either there is a bad body ground causing the electrical issues, or the BCM is going bad.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

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Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 AT 2:16 PM

ECOLOGICIAN

MEMBER
1 POST

I have the same make of car and am experiencing the exact same problem. Power steering will suddenly go out, along with a host of electronics, including power windows, the radio, and windshield wiper intermittent settings. This also happens whenever I put the car in reverse as described by parrychute. Also, when this happens when the car is in drive, if I stop and put the car in park, the electronics come back on temporarily. Does this suggests that the power steering and electronics problems are not unrelated if I am having the exact same combination of symptoms?

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Thursday, June 10th, 2010 AT 10:31 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,867 POSTS

There is a TSB for this. Its an issue between the PRNDL switch and the GEM. See below

Article No.
96-25-5

12/02/96

STEERING - CONTINUOUS REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN SHIFTING INTO "REVERSE" OR "DRIVE" - VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINE

STEERING - INTERMITTENT REDUCTION IN POWER STEERING ASSIST - VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINE BUILT THROUGH 5/13/96

FORD:
1996 TAURUS

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1996 SABLE

This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to revise the Service Procedure.

ISSUE:

There may be intermittent reduction in power steering assist during braking from 80 km/h (50 mph) on some vehicles. For this concern, the resolution may be a revision to the Generic Electronic Module (GEM) calibration.

On some other vehicles, there may be a continuous reduction in power steering assist when shifting into "Reverse" or "Drive." The customer may have noticed a loss of radio sound, power window and lock functions. For this 3.0L concern, the cause may be internal shorting of the Transmission Range (TR) sensor.

ACTION:

For those vehicles with intermittent reduction in power steering assist, refer to the following Service Procedure, Step 3.

For those 3.0L vehicles with continuous reduction in power steering assist when shifting into "Reverse" or "Drive, " replace the TR sensor. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Perform normal diagnostics for high steering efforts found in Section 11 of the 1996 Taurus/Sable Service Manual.

2. For a continuous reduction in power steering assist concern on 3.0L engines when the transmission is shifted into "Reverse" or "Drive, " disconnect the harness connection from the TR sensor and retest. If the steering functions correctly, replace the TR sensor (-7F293-).

3. Perform diagnostics for the GEM, refer to the 1996 Taurus/Sable Service Manual, Section 18-04. Observe any codes that have been logged by the GEM. If no codes have been logged, and communication with the GEM functions properly, then replace the GEM with a revised GEM (-14B205-) which has a calibration adjustment. Refer to the 1996 Taurus/Sable Service Manual, Section 13 for replacement details.

PART NUMBER PART NAME F7DZ-14B205-AB Generic Electronic Module (GEM) F7DZ-14B2O5-BB GEM (Gulf coast country vehicles) F5DZ-7F293-AA Transmission Range (TR) Sensor (8-Pin connector) F6DZ-7F293-A Transmission Range (TR) Sensor (12-Pin connector)

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

SUPERSEDES: 96-20-2

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME 962505A Replace Generic Electronic 0.4 Hr. Module (GEM) 962505B Replace Transmission 0.2 Hr. Range (TR) Sensor

DEALER CODING
CONDITION BASIC PART NO. CODE 14B205 42

OASIS CODES: 102000, 112000, 207000, 303000, 501000, 503000

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Thursday, June 10th, 2010 AT 1:12 PM

PARRYCHUTE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I've working in electronics and computers for the last 30 years troubleshooting all kind of problems. If two symptoms occur at exactly the same time and with the same apparent input they are related. The power steering goes out the same instant that the windows quit working and both go out when the moving from drive to reverse. I don't have the resources to look up exactly how this model of auto does its thing as I don't have the factory manual on it. However, on the Steering column just under the dash is a wheel with equally spaced holes around it that pass by some type of sensor. My computer/electronic experience tells me this is a sensor that is telling the cars computer/controller when the steering wheel is turned and which direction it is turning. My logic leads me to believe that the computer then tells some actuator somewhere to engage the power steering hydraulics to assist with the turn. I believe that this whole problem is electrical and possibly has to do with a bad connection somewhere in the steering column and/or the body control module and possibly its ground as mentioned above. The location of the body control module would be helpful. Also a few pointers on removing the covers on the steering column would help.

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Friday, June 11th, 2010 AT 9:04 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,867 POSTS

I believe the item that you are refering to is for speed sensative steering. Ford Motor company capps it variable assist power steering (VAPS). As you slow down, it increases the power assist. As you speed up, it does the opposite.

After researching for a while, I may have determined your problem. There is a "GEM" which stands for generic electronic module. It is located behind the fuse junction panel in the vehicle. You need to first check to see if the GEM will communicate with a scanner. If there is no communication, it's bad. If there is, it should give you diagnostic codes to identify where the problem is coming from. Also, check the GEM for any evidence that water has gotten to it from a leaking windshield. From what I have found, that could be a problem.

Here is a picture / schematic of the PS system. Also, I tried to upload a schematic of the wiring, but it was too small to read.