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Question

My radio volume has cut in and out lately. Then suddenly as I was driving the seatbelt light started blinking randomly and I lost power steering. The power steering returns randomly but only for seconds and is always accompanied with a blinking seatbelt. What in the world could be wrong?

Submitted: 32 days ago.
Category: Car
Value: $23
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Year: 1996
Make: Mercury
Model: Sable

Already Tried:
The power steering was a bit low. Filled to recommended level, no change in performance.

Posted by Steve 31 days and 21 hours ago.

Answer

Symptoms - Loss of Power Steering Assist, Seat Belt Light on, Radio loses sound . This problem is usually affected by moving the shift lever from Park to Reverse or Drive. Ford has a Technical Service Bulletin on this problem ( # 96-25-5 )
To diagnose, disconnect the harness connection from the Transmission Range Sensor on the transmission and retest. The problem should go away. If it does, replace the Transmission Range Sensor with the updated Ford part. There is a couple of options on the switch depending on the number of pins in the connector.
This affects 1996 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicle's with the 3.0 engine


31 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

Okay for the layman, you are saying the Transmission Range Sensor is bad and needs replaced? And what price range should I expect for the part. Also how much labor is involved in this repair? Thank you.

Accepted Answer

If the problem goes away after disconnecting the sensor, then yes the Transmission Range would need replaced. I expect the switch to be in the ballpark of $100-$125. You might be able to get one at Napa for less. I would expect the Labor for replacement of the switch to be less than 1 hours labor.
Steve

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Expert: Steve
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 10/24/2009

ASE Certified Technician

25+ Years Experience ,ASE Master Certified Technician, ASE Certified Service Consultant

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