Taurus Headache

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Nov 2, 2005 | 10:08 AM

pmasley

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From: Eccles, WV

Taurus Headache

I have an '03 Taurus as a company car. The car has developed a chirp sound coming from the driver's side in the engine compartment. I have pinpointed the noise at the bellhousing near the top. I have been given two different opinions regarding the noise. One is a bad CPS (crankshaft position sensor) and the other is a crack in the flex plate or flywheel bolt pattern. As I have not had the transaxle out, I don't know if it has a flex plate or flywheel, but I am betting on a flywheel.

The vehicle has an erratic idle and transmission shift. Due to the drivability problem, I feel that it is the CPS.

Question:

Will the CPS, cause a chirp sound?

Nov 2, 2005 | 11:30 AM

Casey

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pmasley

I don't know if it has a flex plate or flywheel, but I am betting on a flywheel.

All automatics have flexplates, all manuals have flywheels.
I don't know what is causing your noise, but I do know that all 2003 Tauri have flexplates, not flywheels.

Nov 2, 2005 | 11:55 AM

Racerguy

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From: BC, Canada

If it's a 3L Vulcan engine (not overhead cams) then the noise is quite likely from the synchronizer assembly where the cam position sensor attaches to. It is where the distributor would be on an older engine. You have to remove the throttle cable bracket etc from the engine to access it.

Nov 2, 2005 | 12:26 PM

pmasley

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From: Eccles, WV

Racerguy, have you got a pic of this thing I am looking for?

Also, since it looks like the bottom half of a distributor, what has failed?

Last edited by pmasley; Nov 2, 2005 at 12:36 PM.

Nov 2, 2005 | 12:36 PM

Racerguy

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From: BC, Canada

The synchronizer is the piece that looks like a cut off distributor. It has the CMP sensor on the top of it. If you listen closely you may be able to hear the noise coming from it.

Nov 2, 2005 | 12:39 PM

pmasley

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From: Eccles, WV

I will check it out tonight and let you know what I found. I drove the PS to work today. Getting a little afraid of being stranded in the middle of nowhere on the turnpike. At the last check, it sounded like it was coming from the top of the bell, where the transaxle and engine bolt together.

Nov 2, 2005 | 04:13 PM

Racerguy

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From: BC, Canada

That's pretty much where the synchronizer is too.
It may be hard to tell whether the noise is coming from the flexplate or synchronizer so you'll have to listen very closely, maybe with a stethoscope.