2002 Taurus Help
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2000
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2002 Taurus Help
Hello, We have a 2002 Ford Taurus Se with about 130k miles on it and it's starting to have some issues.
We've taken the thing to a mechanic but I just don't think they are fixing the right thing.
Problem:
With the heat on...
The oil warning light will flicker on and off
The car will surge
The car will not heat up very well it will take hours to get warm.
Anti-freeze is okay
Mechanic 'fixed' the radiator...he said there was a leak that they filled the hole
The alternator was recently replaced and a new battery
Any ideas?
Thanks,
JP
We've taken the thing to a mechanic but I just don't think they are fixing the right thing.
Problem:
With the heat on...
The oil warning light will flicker on and off
The car will surge
The car will not heat up very well it will take hours to get warm.
Anti-freeze is okay
Mechanic 'fixed' the radiator...he said there was a leak that they filled the hole
The alternator was recently replaced and a new battery
Any ideas?
Thanks,
JP
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
Lack of heat could be from either a thermostat that is stuck open or a low volume of antifreeze in the radiator. When the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and if the radiator isn't filled up to the very top of the neck, add more antifreeze/water mix. You can't tell by looking at the overflow container if the level is low. As for the oil warning light, could be a bad oil pump.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Before you replace the oil pump, replace the oil sender switch. The switch leaks oil, then the light flickers.
Very common on all Fords.
Very common on all Fords.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Jan 25, 2007 at 07:04 AM.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Besides the not warming up (thermostat), it sounds like the engine won't idle right with any load on it (and the heat IS a load, through the alternator).
Check the IAC - Idle Air Control motor... it might be stuck, and the computer is using ignition timing to control the speed of the engine - which it doesn't do very well. That'll cause the surge, and if the idle drops enough when you turn on the heat, the oil light will flicker because it's not getting enough oil pressure at such low RPM.
The IAC is probably a $30 part. If you do change it, make sure the ports in the throttle body are clean.
Check the IAC - Idle Air Control motor... it might be stuck, and the computer is using ignition timing to control the speed of the engine - which it doesn't do very well. That'll cause the surge, and if the idle drops enough when you turn on the heat, the oil light will flicker because it's not getting enough oil pressure at such low RPM.
The IAC is probably a $30 part. If you do change it, make sure the ports in the throttle body are clean.
