Care and Feeding of the 96-99 Taurus SHO

This document discusses the reliability of the 1996 to 1999 Taurus SHO, common maintenance recommendations, common problems and their resolution, and repair techniques. It is not intended to be a replacement for your owners manual or the service manuals.

General	Maintenance Schedule Parking Lot Problems Pittsburgh Driving rules Save Valuable Money Torque Wrench Primmer new 11/21/02 Mechanical Check List new 3/30/03 ESP Thing new 3/30/03 Primary V8SHO Known Issues - new 6/6/03 SHO Collectable? 11/28/05 Parts List With Prices Clay Bars and Detailing the GENIII How To Tell SHO By VIN Ford Service CD's RPM vs Speed Fall Car Care Dead Battery AND Keys Locked in Car Check Engine Light On Line Help
Technical Service Bulletins & Recalls Hats off to Glen Murdock	Alldata 1996 SHO TSB & Recall Summery Alldata 1997 SHO TSB & Recall Summery Alldata 1998 SHO TSB & Recall Summery Alldata 1999 SHO TSB & Recall Summery Ford Announces Major Recall new 4/1/01 List of TSB's 97 TSB Decontent Changes 1996 SHO Recalls and TSB's 98tsb 99tsb Blower Motor TSB 97-25-5 Body Product Changes TSB 96-26-1 Door Handles TSB 97-15-2 Door Panels Removal TSB 97-26-3 Door Trim Panel TSB 99-8-15 Fuel Gage Issues - TSB 99-2-6 Fuel Gage TSB 99-15-1 High Idle TSB 00-3-5 Lock Replacement TSB 99-24-2 No Start Fuel Pump TSB 98-25-1 Passive Anti Theft Diag TSB 99-26-6 Radio, Static while driving TSB 97-18-4 Remote Anti-Theft Personality TSB 97-11-5 Remote Keyless Entry TSB 97-24-13 SHO Changes for 99 TSB 99-7-5 Side Door Wind Noise TSB 99-6-5 Sub Frame Clunk TSB 97-2-3 Subframe Retention Nuts TSB 97-25-2 Suspension Clunking TSB 97-2-5 Suspension Front Squeak 96-3-3 Transaxle Correct Fluid Usage TSB 98-3-8 Transaxle Neutral TSB 98-3-7 Transmission Fluid Usage Chart TSB 98-8-8 TSB on 99 De-content Windnoise at A Pillar TSB 96-14-1 Windnoise at A Pillar TSB 96-3-1 Windshield Wipers TSB 99-24-3 TSB 01-23-6 Coolant TSB 01-15-7 ATF Usage Chart TSB 01-9-7 HO2S Service Tips TSB 01-06-2 PATS TSB 00-20-3 Instrument Panel Separation - new 3/30/03 TSB 99-12-7 Long Crank-Slow Start TSB 98-23-10 Mass Air Flow Contamination TSB 98-20-10 Exhaust System Noise TSB 98-13-12 Transaxle Flushing TSB 98-8-4 High RPM Misfire TSB 98-6-5 AX4N Converter TSB 98-3-7 AX4N Intermittent Neutral TSB 98-2-7 Musty AC TSB 97-26-3 Door Panel Service TSB 97-25-5 Blower Fan Noise TSB 97-23-1 Suspension Noise TSB 97-6-7 Low Speed Stall TSB 97-6-1 Remote Keyless Entry TSB 97-2-5 Suspension Clunk TSB 97-2-3 Subframe Clunk Loctite TSB 03-14-1 new 7/21/03 Owner Comments on Loctite TSB 03-14-1 Proprietary DTCs Codes new 1/3/04 Updated TSB's Recall 98S10 Diagnostic Trouble Code P1518 DTC Code P0455 Diagnostic Trouble Code P0401 Engine Light Code P0455 Updated DTC Codes On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Code Description Chart P011 P1744 TCC Solenoid TSB 99SHO TPS Diagnosing codes. What can I do to fix them P1121 Transmission Range Circuit Low - PO707 P0102 Transaxle Neutral TSB 98-3-7 P1151 Code Proprietary DTCs Codes TSB 04-16-1 - COP Diagnostic Tips SHO/TSB 04-16-1.pdf Bosch Spark Plug War TSB 06-14-4 new 3/07/07 TSB 97-8-8 "Air Conditioning -EATC Service Tips" - new 9/6/07
Fluids and Filters	Draining the Cooling System Coolant Flush Potential Consequences Of No Routine Coolant Flush in GIII Fuel Pressure Regulator Oil & Oil Analysis Oil Analysis Spreadsheet Oil Analysis 9/13/06 Oil Change Oil Preference Power Steering Flush Oil Leaks Gasoline Fuel Filter Fuel Filter How to Change Oil Filters Brake Fluid Brake Fluid: A Hot Topic Pollen Filter Replacement Oil Choices & Additives Lub Lessons from OK new 7/30/01 Mobil 1 More info on latest Mobil 1 Blend from Amsoil. PS Fluid PM Fuel Pump Fuses new 9/17/02 Mobil 1 0W-40 new 3/2/03 Power Steering Fluid Filtering new 8/11/03 Oil Data Chart - new 12/18/03 Oil Pressure as a function of RPM with 5W-30 Mobil1 new 4/11/04 ATX Fluid Change Fuel System Additives Fuel Pump Module Oil Data Chart Source of Oil Burning Smell Interpreting Oil Analysis Draining the Coolant Low Coolant Light Experience - how to drain or flush Fuel Pumps Brake Fluid Change Fuel Pump Replacement Extended Oil Change Interval Tests with Mobil 1 Another Method For Cleaning K&N-Type Gauze Filters
SHO Oil Filter Comparison	Buford purchased every SHO oil filter on the market and checked them out for a big article in the SHO Club. Because of the importance, depth, scope and size Don Mallinson of SHO Club put it first on the SHO Club website in the members section - check it out. new 5/7/01 Oil Filters & Oil Filter O-Rings new 8/2/05 Studies Oil Filters and Penetrating Fluids
Engine	Front Main Seal - part II - new 9/22/08 Best Price On Coils How to Check for Spark Sparkplug Design 100K PM - Tim's Plan - TIC Firmly Valve Cover Removal Valve Shims Oil Pan, Pump, and Screen Intake Manifold, Removal Intake Manifold Runner Control Thermostat Replacement Water Pump Accessory Drive Belts EGR Valve PCV Valve and Hose V8 SHO Teardown V8 Engine Wt High Idle - TSB Miss Diagnosis Stuck Throttle Solutions High Idle Spark Plug Choice Reset Idle Spark Plug Change Pages of How-to's link to Al Primm's spark plug change page Cam Sprocket Failure Alternator Replacement Electrical Short in your SHO? new 10/03/02 How To - Pull the Surge Tank for Rear Plug Change new 10/05/02 Intermittent No-Start Problem Solved new 12/21/02 Cam Position Sensor Photos new 1/05/03 IMRC Repair new new 2/12/03 Missfires and Coil Tests new 2/12/03 VW Coil Pack new 2/12/03 Rear Main Wiring Harness Issue new 2/13/03 All SHO and No Go new 2/21/03 Replacement Coils new 3/01/03 Federal Mogul V8 Valves new 4/30/03 Replacement Radiators new 4/30/03 Dimitri Survives Coil on Plug Hell 5/09/03 Reuse Engine Bolts? new 4/08/04 Whining noise from under the hood Emissions Parts Lists Cam Position Sensor Photos TSB - Hold your car for Ransom Radiator Installation - By the Book Engine Stalls Cam Sprocket Alignment Replacing Head Parts EGR Valve Spark Plugs, A Pictorial Description Engine Removal Oil Cooler O-ring No Start Condition - Technical Discussion Disassembly/Reassembly of the SHO Motor - Or Things That Fall and Never Hit the Ground. Reuse Engine Bolts? Engine Washing Problems and Stalling Misfire Detection Monitor Coolant Reservoir Diagram Repairing a Leaky Oil Cooler No Compression Primer Stripped Spark Plug Thread updated 8/10/04 Intake Manifold Vacuum Test new 8/13/04 Coil On Plug Ignition Pulling the SHO Engine (Motor) Hard Starting P-1309 DTC High or Surging Idle Problem / Dying at Low RPM Mystery Coolant Leak Car Misses - Changed Plugs Coils MAF Cleaning 12/19/04 P0172 Banks One and Two - MAF Cleaning 201 Best Source for Quality Coils new 1/07/05 No Start Condition 01/22/2005 Engine Break InA Discussion Coil On Plug Test Surge Tank Heater Hoses and Such How to use Multimeter to Test COP Radiator Cleaning Major Coolant Leak Murray's On-Line Source of Replacement COP new 3/16/05 Rod Bearings - Analyze This Oil Pump Priming 4/6/05 Warning on Autolite Spark Plugs 4/6/05 Firing Order & Cylinder Location 4/24/05 Cam & Crank Position Sensor Photos updated 4/26/05 Motor Mounts 7/03/05 Stripped Spark Plug Hole How To - Pull the Surge Tank for Rear Plug Change 6/23/05 DTC P0411/P1411 Diagnostic Routines Clay's Detailed Engine Alternator Comparisons Cam Timing Sprocket Voltmeter hookup Rear COP Replacement Photos and How-To Blown Spark Plug Machining of Aluminum Cylinder Heads Replacing Seals Oil Cooler Oil Temperature Sender Ports Cooling Hoses Engine Castings P1413 Valve Shims Engine Pull Blinking CEL Front Main Seal P0131 Code Sub Frame Connectors Motor Mounts Ignition System Crank Position Sensor Pulse Exciter Ring P0446 Evap System FUEL PUMPS - A DISCUSSION Replacement Valve Shims new 2/4/08 Electrical Weirdness Head Bolts and TTY - A Discussion V8 SHO Engine Removal 2/19/08 Broken Crank Pulley Bolt Crank Pulley Bolt - Must see! Engine Harness & Emissions Injectors Surge Tank Stuck Water Pump Belt Flex Pipe Primary Sprocket Failure Spark Plug Repair Kit SAI issues, P1413 - Resolved P0411 Headscratcher
Control	Ford EEC V and OBD II Alternator - Sometimes It's Not The Culprit EEC-V Pinout - SHO No Start Condition High or Surging Idle Fuel Charging System Fuel Pump Battery Replacement Options Battery Change Chip Controlled Break In Under Hood Temps Air Pump Replacement IMRC Failures Spark Plug Changes Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System Monitor Cam Position Sensor Photos SHO 97TR Wire Loom Failure Oh Goody... Electrical Problems Coolant Bottle Installation IMRC Clip - Pete Found It IMRC Maniacs Alternator Replacement Alternator Replacement II new 1/24/05 Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC) IMRC Repair Overheating... Radiator Problem Solved P340 - Camshaft Position Sensor Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Removal Timing Chain Change Something Fell in the Fuel Tank IMRC Autopsy Findings new 1/4/05 How to Clean a MAF new 1/25/05 Timing Chain Marks Question new 1/25/05 P1121 P1132P1152 Engine Coolants - Good Read Charging System - Battery Light Indicator 02 Sensors This Is How You Change The T-Stat Spark Plug Part Numbers PCM Location and Replacement new 6/23/05 Starting Gremlins Fixed Surge Tank Quiz Alternator Rebuilding Tips TPS Adjustment Continuing EGR frustrations Cooling Fans No Crank - AKA As No Start MAF Cleaning - An Idiots Guide Fast Idle Surging Tach Needle Going Crazy O2 Sensor Question - P0161 Bad DPFE Cruise Light Stay Illuminated Turn Signal Won't Shut Off P0405 Battery Tray Mounting Solution
Exhaust	Exhaust Manifold Catalytic Converter P0420 Still (after O2 sensors replaced) P0240 & the 3rd Cat 1/7/05 P0420 - A Primer Y Pipe Removal
Automatic Transaxle	AX4N Transaxle, Description Valve Body Replacement Trans. External Controls External Controls, Removal AX4N Transaxle, Disassembled ATX Fluid Change Transmission Parking Lock ATF Usage Chart Transmission Poll ATF Temp Chart new 4/21/02 Tranny PM After Summit Point new 8/27/02 Redline ATF Analysis Taurus ATX Failure Website new 10/04/02 Jasper AX4N Replacement new 10/04/02 Answer to Mysterious ATX Ill new 2/12/03 P0741 OR P1744 TCC Solenoid Trans Axle Cooler Lines Leaking Trans Axle Cooler Lines Tranny PM After Summit Point Shifter Won't Move ATX R&R ATX Diag from Alldata new 8/10/04 Transmission Rebuild Pricing ATX Fluid Flow & Tranny Coolers Transmission Range Selector Paul's ATF Change Method AX4N Pump Assembly Replacement SHO Halfshafts ATX Lost OD on transmission: code P0761 Installing A New Transmission Changing Trans Fluid- This Doesn't Look Good SHO RadiatorTransmission Cooler - How To Clean Transmission Fluid - This Doesn't Look Good 96_97 Transmission Swap AX4N Damages P1121 and P1744 TQC Fails To Lock Up Changing AX4N Valve Body Fully Seated Torque Converter
Suspension, Steering, and Frame	"Clunk" from the front end Semi-Active Ride Control (struts) SARC Strut Replacement Alignment Specifications Subframe Engine and Transmission Support Front End Clunk Spindles Half-Shafts SARC Struts Tie Rod End Replacement Procedure new 5/13/03 New Struts and Sex new 6/13/03 Bent Rim Repair 7/20/03 End Links and Sway Bar Bushing Replacement ABS, Speedometer, & Cruise Front Strut Removal new 7/09/04 Front Swaybar Install Directions new 8/21/04 Taurus Spring Codes New 8/23/04 Early 96 Roll Call Tie Rod Ends RearWheelHooting Subframe Alignment Lower Ball Joint Removal - HELLLPP!!! Source for Replacement Steering Racks new 2/22/05 Power Steering Pump - R&R Half Shafts - Rebuilt vs Remanufactured - A Discussion Tie Rod Replacement Parts Steering Rack Remove & Replace Rear Subframe Part Numbers new 7/03/05 Clockspring Install Power Steering Problems Noise From the Back of the SHO Rear Suspension Problem Question Ball Joint Separation Rear SARC Sensor Removal Power Steering Line Ball Joint Information Bearing or CV Front Struts For a 99 CV Boot Rocker Trim
Wheels/Tires/Brakes	Home Wheel Scuff Repair Great Tire Debate High Performance Tire Poll Wheels and Upgrades Wheel Care Rotor Replacement Rotor and Pad Choices Bleeding the Brakes Front Brakes Rear Brakes Tire Mounting Dots Tire Reviews by SHO Owners Tire Speed Ratings Tire Watch Lug Nuts Slotted Rotors Adjust Your Brakes! Brakes at Halette Brake Bleeding new 5/13/02 Replacement Ford Brake Pads new 4/23/03 The Great Tire Debate Help with IMRC Failure DTC Steering Racks Anti-Lock Brake Sensors Tire Mounting Procedure Bleeding Brakes - Nimz Style Rear Brake Caliper Removal Front Hub Assembly Replacement Changing the Brake Fluid ABS, Speedometer, & Cruise 96 + SHO Disk Brakes Parking Brake Cable Adjustment Brake Pad Comparisons Brake Fluid Change Tire Rubbing Noise Snow Tires ABS Exciter Ring Grooved Master Cylinder And Booster Swap Flare Fittings On The ABS Controller Brake Line Coating AZ Brake Pads Installation of New Brake Line Set
Interior and Controls	Interior Lamps updated 11/12/02 Leather, Rubber, and Vinyl Care Speedometer Failure at Speed CD Player Skipping Leaks and Rattles Noise from windshield Door & Dome light problem Headlight Switch Removal Removing Door Speakers Daytime Running Lights - Diag Console Latch Keyfob Remote DRL Price Update Light Bulbs new 4/20/02 Multifunction Switch R&R new 9/23/02 Replacement CD Changer new1/9/03 Hood Mushroom for Alarm new 5/9/03 Get Rid of a Cigarette Smell new 6/10/03 Keyless Entry Code new 6/19/03 Cell Phone Providers new 6/25/03 How to Remove Stuck CD Spare Key Programming Door Panel Fasteners Power Windows - Stick/Do Not Operate Wiper Motor Child Seat Anchor GEM Module ABS, Speedometer, & Cruise Programming Spare Key 98-99 Power Window Sticking Radio Diagnostics Glue For Dash Repair Seat Belt Woes Shifter Won't Move CD Player - No Disc Fix 96-99 SHO JBL & MACH Intermittent Cruise Control Door Panels Starwars Cupholder Repair Stereo Self Test - Speaker Check And Diagnostic Codes 01/22/2005 Multifunction Switch for 99's new 1/25/05 Console Coming Apart Push Pins cMap Dome Lights Not Coming On (foot well working) Issue SOLVED Center Console Removal Remove Stuck CD Window Motor Update Third Brake Light Removal 7/04/05 Rear Seat Removal and rear tray. 7/4/05 Photocell Adjustment Rear View Mirror Replacement Blend Door Motor Removal Headlight Switch Removal V8 SHO Wiring Diagrams Blinking Battery Light Cleaning Multi Function Switch Dashboard Repair or Bad Dash!! Lay Down Intermittent Speedo Dome Lamp Stays On Door Panels Center Console Lid Remove Stuck CD Headlight Switch Assembly Removal CEL Bulb Not Working Replacing Door Window Seals Intermittent Horn - Could Be Bigger Problem! 96 JBL Wiring Diagram
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning Self Test A/C Failures And How To Prevent Them EATC and Max AC Air Conditioning Cuts Out Cabin Air Filter Mysteries of the Rear Defroster AC Clutch Adjustment Cooling Issues - Carter Style Air Conditioning Problems
Exterior	Headlight Polishing Get Rust Before It Gets Your SHO Spoiler Waxing Headlight Differences Power Antenna Replacement new 4/19/03 Headlight Replacement new 5/15/03 SHO Clear Headlight Protectors new 6/12/03 Replacement Headlight Assemblies new 10/23/03 Testing Headlamp Bulbs Supermarket Cleaning Formulas That Really Work Passenger Window Questions Rear Deck Lid Adjustment Testing Headlamp Bulbs Brake Light - Tail Light Malfunction new 8/10/04 DRL's Cycling Painting Windshield Wiper Arms 9/30/04 Paint Codes Headlight Cleaning Kit Antenna Mast Install Complete Preference for New Windshield SHO Car Bra Blend Door Motor Removal Bug Gut Removal Hood Will Not Open Wax Removal Around Trim Water In Trunk Again Rocker Trim Replacement Headlights Gasket Deteriorating
Electronic Sensors	Coolant Sensor Replacement ABS Sensor Electronic Engine Sensors Electronic Ignition Controls ABS, Speedometer, & Cruise CCRM PINOUTS Scan Tools new 3/16/05 Starting Gremlins Fixed - CPS replacement VAPSII - DTC C1928 VSS Issues
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