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I just bought a 02 Taurus with 60,000 miles last week. It did not come with a owners manual. I just put gas in it yesterday and a few hours later the check engine light came on. I was reading other comments stating that if the gas cap is not put back on properly the check engine light will come on. So I made sure it was on tight. The check engine light is still on. Does it take awhile for it to go off? I'm hoping that there is not a further problem.
I also noticed that the power steering fluid was low. After reading all the comments about the rack and pinion, it make me a bit nervous. I hope and pray this car is not full of repairs as I have read.
Does anyone know how to reset the key-less entry door pad code on the outside of the car?
Sounds to me like there is something going on other than a loose gas cap. Not having it on snug enough will make the light come on, but it's usually out again by the next time you start the car having tightened it.
Put some PS fluid in and see if it's okay a few weeks down the road. You may want to call the dealership and see if they topped off all your fluids (transmission, washer, etc.), as a lot of dealerships do that before they sell a car. If they didn't, it could just mean you're low.
My mother's 2002 Taurus has also given her a lot of problems; she's had it since new and it's now at around 115k...her rear suspension is sagging quite a bit, the transmission is skippy, it won't crank sometimes, but starts up fine later, and recently when she puts the cruise control on the check engine light flashes a certain number of times indicating that there is a risk of a fire under the hood.
I want her to get rid of the car, it's been good while it's lasted, but these cars are not built to withstand high miles. She would have been much better off in an import car. My last Nissan Maxima was at 154k when I sold it and had been running strong with only minor / scheduled maintenance since 70k. Domestics cannot compare. I've owned six imports and have no real complaints as to the workmanship or reliability of those cars as compared to domestics like Ford.
Last night here in Florida it was raining cats and dogs. I just bought this Taurus last week with 60,000 miles and it's a 02. I had the heat on and it keep going from warm to cold. I posted a previous message a few days ago and the check engine light has been on. I thought I might be cause of the gas cap. This is the first time it has rained since purchasing the car. Could this be caused by the rain hat problem everyone has been talking about? Also, what exactly does cam sensor synchronizer do? Maybe this is the reason for the check engine light coming on? I did get a 60 day warranty with the car so believe me it's going back to the dealer, but I would like to be a little more knowledgeable before they start giving me the run around. Any further ideas would be appreciated!
We had a similar problem check with Ford and see if water has got into your fan system, because it broke mine and apparently there is a Ford Advisory out about this and there is a 300 kit to fix this issue.
Bought 2002 Taurus this year @50,000 miles. When on highway going 55 and want to pass - the car "kicks" or "shudders" when trying to get to 65 or 70mph. Especially if I have it in 1st (I live in very hilly area). Also had check engine light come on after driving through heavy rain, went off shortly after. Had to fill up the power steering reservoir, as it made a lot of noise especially when turning. Fine for awhile, but now 6 months later (already) it is starting to make noise again. Currently my heat went out today (-10°F this morning), coupled with a squeal on one of the belts, plus the smell of coolant coming in slightly, not to mention the temp gauge (which had never gone above the 40% mark, maxed out in the red, but came down slightly, just as I was pulling into work). Needless to say not too happy right now.
"Bought 2002 Taurus this year @50,000 miles. When on highway going 55 and want to pass - the car "kicks" or "shudders" when trying to get to 65 or 70mph. Especially if I have it in 1st (I live in very hilly area). Also had check engine light come on after driving through heavy rain, went off shortly after. Had to fill up the power steering reservoir, as it made a lot of noise especially when turning. Fine for awhile, but now 6 months later (already) it is starting to make noise again. Currently my heat went out today (-10°F this morning), coupled with a squeal on one of the belts, plus the smell of coolant coming in slightly, not to mention the temp gauge (which had never gone above the 40% mark, maxed out in the red, but came down slightly, just as I was pulling into work). Needless to say not too happy right now."
Ask your Ford dealer to provide a copy of the maintenance schedule. The kick or shudder sounds like you need to change your transmission fluid and have the filter replaced. My parents' '97 Mercury did something similar, with jerky shifting, and it cleared up when the fluid and filter were changed. Also, I hope you don't mean that you are driving at 65 mph in 1st gear at any time? That will ruin any car's transmission and engine.
Be careful with adding power steering fluid. I believe that Ford uses Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid in their power steering pumps, rather than traditional power steering fluid. Again, referring to my parents' Mercury, Dad first added water thinking it was the radiator cap and drove it, and then added standard power steering fluid. It moans, but continues to work. If you can live with the sound, it will probably keep working. Otherwise, you can use a turkey baster (giant plastic syringe) to suck out most of the fluid, and then replace it with Dexron ATF. Check the manual for specific requirements. The difficulty turning is probably related to the low fluid, but it sounds like you have a loose or worn belt, so when it got wet with the rain, the belt slipped on the pulley. I'd advise that you check your belts for frayed surfaces and edges, and check the tension. Checking belts is considered routine maintenance. Also, checking the power steering reservoir is considered routine maintenance, and is something you should do every month or so. Gotta take care of the car.
The high temp reading and smell of coolant sounds like you need the cooling system flushed out. Also routine maintenance. The previous owner probably never did it, and as a result either your thermostat is corroded shut or some gunk is built up in your heater core. This also causes the heater to not work.
You should be okay, you just need to catch up on some standard maintenance that was neglected on this used car. Also be a little more gentle with it, and don't go flooring it in 1st gear up and down hills.
I have to same probem with my 2002 ford transmission. what did you find out with yours?
Another disgusted Ford owner. Had my Taurus lx for just over two years and now has 80000.km. In the last six months I have spent 2400. dollars on thing that should not have worn out. At 75000km front ball joints were replaced then the rear struts went. Then I had a flood in the passeger side floor. This is a well maintained 2002 Taurus and is not abused. By the way to-day was the first hot weather we have had this year and guess what. The air conditioner just quit. Ford says quality is job one. Give me a break.
I too have an 02 Taurus & have had problems. Bought it in 2003 & it has 93k miles. the blower motor has been replaced 4 times within 1 year & just 3 weeks ago I had the oil pan gasket & valve cover gasket replaced. After the gasket repair the car started making a sound that seemed if birds were chirping. Now the camshaft position sensor & the synchronizer need replace. What next FORD?
My wife's 2002 Taurus SE, (a very well maintained car) is approaching 80,000 miles. Overall it runs well, but I have a few concerns. It idles rough in park, and the RPMs surge from about 500-1000 if the air conditioner is on. The transmission also has a shudder around 40 mph. Has anyone else experienced any of these problems?
I was driving my 2002 Taurus yesterday. It has/had 55,000 miles on it. While stuck in rush hour traffic smoke started pouring out of the front of the car. 2 minutes later the engine caught on fire. Because of the heavy traffic we get in LA, all the roads were gridlocked so the fire trucks could not get to the car in time to put the flames out. The whole car burned away and all the soot, smoke, ash, and flames only contributed to the typical LA smog. There was a big black smoke cloud overhead that hovered for the rest of the day. Basically what was left of the car floating away in the air. The fireman said it was the fuel line that broke pouring gasoline all over the engine bay. A common problem for this kind of car. The only thing left of it is the metal shell. Everything else is gone, glass, rubber, paint, plastic, cloth, etc. Burned away.
Rule #1, never buy a FORD. I will NEVER buy another for product ever again.
I have a 2001 SEL that I bought new. Now has 113,000 miles on it and it's been a very reliable car. Spent about $800 for new struts and some suspension parts at about 95,000 miles and $470 today for a new blower motor and the rain hood or whatever they call it. $270 of todays bill was for some kind of "sensor"??? After reading these posts I'm beginning to think I may have been taken on the sensor. Even so, $1270 over 6 years and 113,000 miles is pretty damn good. I probably paid top dollar because I got every option available at the time, but it was still only half of what I paid for my wife's Grand Cherokee (now there is a real POS) that's cost me twice as much for repairs in less time of ownership. I will definitely buy another Ford. I like the push pad locking/unlocking.
I have a 2002 Ford Taurus SE 136,000 miles on it. i had it for a year and never had a problem with it. the thing is if you do your maintenance when you are supposed to, on time every year then it will last you how long you want it to last. the only thing wrong is that also my car shutter's Accelerating at over 40 mph, but I think that's a normal thing for cars over 100,000 miles, it's just a normal wear and tear. and it rids smooth and good on gas, but not as good as on what the manual says.
I bought a 2002 Taurus SE last may with 88,000 miles on it. it was a fleet car and a bargain. it now has 103,000 on it and I had to replace the rear brakes and get 2 new front tires. apart from that this car is awesome. i drive it every day. very smooth and comfortable. i just bought a 05 mustang, but kept the Taurus cos I love it so much.
I have a 2002 SES Ford Taurus with 79000 miles. From the comments I have read, I can tell I'm not the only one with an (until now) inexplicable flood on the passengers, side. My A/C and heat fan only works at top speed, which is not as bad as a non-working A/C. My instrument panel light is not working either and I already opened the panel and replaced the bulbs... Now I'm struggling to put the front panel back... maybe I should check the fuse now... where can I get a fuse diagram?? since I don't have the owners manual...