The transmission in my 97 Taurus slips intermittently. It will be operating normally and suddenly let go. The engine will rev but the tranny won't pull. It will maintain a very low speed, and occasionally grab, but basically acts like the car's in neutral. It was operating normally today until I turned the A/C on, then it started slipping. The speedometer goes to zero when this happens. Another thing, related or not, is that the power steering quits intermittently too. It seems to quit about the same time as the transmission does. The car has 83,000 miles on it. Any ideas? Thank you.

Could possibly be a failing speed sensor.

I would go to the Taurus Car Club of America and research your problems. However, several things come to mind. First, I would check for any codes. Second, I would have the PRNDL switch on the transaxle checked out. Third, I would check the condition of the transmission fluid (is it cherry red or is it brown with a burnt smell)? Fourth, I would drain and clean the transmission pan, replace the filter, and refill with Mercon V ATF, if I didn't think I had a disaster on my hands. Ford recommends doing this every 30,000 miles. I own a 2000 Taurus, with the 3.0 L Duratec engine, and only use Amsoil Universal Synthetic ATF or Mobil 1 Multi-Purpose Synthetic ATF in its AX4N transmission. Even still, I change it every 30,000 miles. If you haven't been properly taking care of your transaxle, you may be facing a rebuild. Engine revving, but transmission not pulling, sounds like the clutch packs could be shot. If things aren't really too bad, check out doing an Auto-RX cleaning on the transmission. Go to BITOG.com. Here's a link to Auto-RX:

http://www.auto-rx.com/index.html


Regularly changing the ATF in the power steering reservoir is the only way to prevent having to replace the pump and steering gear on Tauruses. I take a battery squeeze bulb and regularly replace the reservoir with Amsoil Universal Synthetic ATF. Heat really builds up in power steering units and oxidizes the fluid over time. On some Tauruses the fluid will come out as a black syrup. I would use regular Mercon or Mercon V and flush the whole power steering system and then refill with a full synthetic Mercon V rated ATF. Partially change it every 6 months thereafter. There's an inline power steering fluid filter that you may want to change. Auto-RX can also be used to clean power steering systems.

http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/inde...last_post&st=0

All right I know exactly what is happening to your car. I have the same problem with my 97 taurus. It is the speed sensor. It is a $20 part but a pain in the to fix. You have to take off the passenger side back motor mount and lower the fram of your car to be able to fix it. If you want to. See if you can get it to a trans shop and they will put it on their scanner for free and tell you exactly what's wrong with it. I could be something else but from what you said it is doing the same thing my car does and that's what is wrong with my car. But they will charge around $120 for the part and labor.

Hope I was able to help.
Kevin

My transmission start jumping gears and the speedometer won't work. I thought I had a bad tranny, but to my surprise it was just the SPEED SENSOR! That's located in a complete out of reach place. I think that is done in purpose to avoid the fixing of the problem and to obligate the owner to discard the car and buy a new one. The part costs $25 and labor at least $50.
Come on FORD don't do that to your customers!

This is absolutely correct. Had it happen to my 96 sable. The speed sensor overheats and stops working. Car will run fine for a while, then speedometer will cut out, power steering will be sluggish, and trans will shift hard and at the wrong times.

Can somebody post the part number to the speed sensor for the 99 Taurus?

Thanks

Frank Drebin, it depends whether you have the Vulcan or Duratec engine. They are tough to even see. You likely need to remove the front right wheel and fender liner for access. The Transmission Speed Sensor (VSS) is located on top of the transaxle, below Cylinder 2.