93 Taurus SHO

[michealnjackie]

I have recently acquired a 93 Taurus SHO. The engine and transmission seem fine. I seem to have a short in the electrical system, which I have narrowed down to the Headlamp System. Does anyone know of a common ailment with this model? Thank you for your input.

[Skyhawk]

Visit the SHO Forum and the SHO Times web sites. Early autos with the all electronic engine control, and numerous electrical options, had connection problems like corroded connections, especially in the areas of the country where the roads are salted. Are you saying you are having problems with the auto-lamp system, or some other part of the headlight system?

[michealnjackie]

The only problem is that there is a short in that system. Everything seems to work okay. I pulled fuses to test, and in the fusebox under the hood the short dissapeared when I pulled the fuse for the headlamp system.

Thanks

[bertha66]

What is it doing? I have a 93 SHO that I've been driving for 10 years, no elec problems other than the fuel pum relay that has gone out 2 times.

[michealnjackie]

It is not causing any other problems than running the battery down. The lights and light sensor work fine. If I disconnect the battery, it eliminates the issue. I just find it inconvenient to do that all the time.

Thanks

[bertha66]

The headlight switch was part of a recall, I think. Check with Ford to see if the recall was done on the car. You may want to replace the headlight switch to see if it helps.

[93Shogun]

michealnjackie did you ever figure out your issue? I seem to be having the same one. The battery will be dead in 2 days if I dont start the car.

I found a .47 amp drain on my battery and chased it down to the #1 fuse which the owners manual says (Upper Brake Light, Stop Lights, Turn Signals, Speed Control)
Im not sure what the current acceptable/normal level of drain is for this car ,but with the fuse removed it's very very minimal to speak of.

Im not sure if the headlight switch is part of that but I would quess it is. I will check with Ford tomorrow to see if my car has been part of the recall and if any records exist of it being serviced for such recall. I'll post my results tomorrow night.

But michealnjackie try pulling the #1 fuse (Very Botton left fuse from the fuse box and see if that makes things a little easier for you than unhooked the battery cable daily.

1993 3.2 SHO
187k

[93Shogun]

Ok guys checked with Ford on the headlight switch came up with nothing, but the speed control recall. Nothing about the switch.

Any ideals if this might really be the problem?



1993 3.2 SHO
187k
Fort Worth, Texas

[LastTudor]

Originally Posted by 93Shogun

Ok guys checked with Ford on the headlight switch came up with nothing, but the speed control recall. Nothing about the switch.

Any ideals if this might really be the problem?



1993 3.2 SHO
187k
Fort Worth, Texas

If you used an ammeter to identify the circuit you mentioned, I'd be highly surprised if it's the headlight switch. I guess it could be, but I'd suspect the brake switch first. The failure mode on the BOO switch was overheating. That can pit the contacts and make them too close together. If, and this is just me thinking theoretically, if both contacts were pitted just right, there might be high spots on each contact that allowed a tiny bit of current though them.

Interestingly, I was just talking to a friend of mine with a similar problem. His mom's car's battery kept going dead. He was stumped until one night when it was really dark and he noticed that the brake lights were on VERY dimly.

If you've never replaced the BOO switch, it's a good possibility that it's due.

But I'm wrong all the time. Take my input as conjecture, not solid info.

[LastTudor]

Oh, I just thought of a test. Why not unplug the BOO switch and let the car sit a few days. If the battery isn't dead, that should point you in the right direction.