1997 Taurus problems

[ABE]

Since the surging and jerking do not happen every day, there must be a particular set of conditions that trigger both broblems. That would be important to know.

Can you get the TSB numbers? Sometimes the TSB information is available through Google using "Ford TSB #".

The amount of gas in your car would not make a difference unless the guage is not reading correctly and you have just a few quarts left and it is sloshing around starving the fuel pump.

Most of the mainstream products are very good and should not give you a problem. The Ford part is proven good quality but is often more expensive. For spark plugs stay with Ford.

If disconnecting the torque converter lockup connection corrects any occasional shifting problem then I would say there is an electrical or electronics problem. If the powertrain control computer cannot unlock the torque converter before the shift then you are going to get very harsh shifts, that may both jerk the car and cause it to surge.

Hope this helps

[sunsets]

With the jerking, the first time I had it was after I had backed out of my driveway and put my car in D. After that, I would go half a block, and it would jerk again. It continued to do this all the way to the dealer, around 3 miles away. A mechanic at the dealer was able to duplicate it. He said it was a cracked piston and needed another transmission. He didn't inspect anything. He did check for codes and none showed up. I then took it to a transmission shop. A mechanic was able to duplicate the jerk, but it wasn't as hard. Another mechanic at the same shop checked for codes and said TCC showed up but didn't know what it meant.

As for the surging, it's when I go 15-25 mph. It feels like it's going to speed up on it's own.

As for the harsh shifting, it can happen when I go 15-35 mph.

These are the TSB numbers according to NHTSA's web site. I don't know if they will be the same as Ford's.

97111097237 - Concerns with harsh engagements and harsh shifts with diagnostic trouble codes DTCS 628, PO741, and/or P1744. *YC

983112 - Some vehicles may exhibit an intermitent Neutral condition after driving and coming to a stop. *TT

BC2380970501 - Harsh 1-2 Upshift *TW

03123 - Torque Converter Clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes P0741 or P1744 stored in memory. Models from 1996 to 2003. *TT

9865 - Torque Converter Clutch not engaging and/or diagnostic trouble code DTC P0741 or P1744 stored in memory *YC

962612 - Transaxle - Torque Converter Replacement Guidelines and Torque Converter/Transaxle Cooling System Cleaning Procedures - Service Tip *TW

96249 - Torque Converter - Leak Test Procedure - Service Tip *TW

982675 - A Revised Forward Clutch Inner Seal For The AXOD, AXODE, AX4S, and AX4N Transaxle is available with improved sealing and reduced chance of the seal rolling during installation *YC

12559 - Concerns with Reverse Clutch that could become sheared or torn in extremely cold temperatures *TT

9802169837 - Some vehicles may experience an no forward or reverse movement *YC

BC0713961021 - Concerns of a surge (powertrain shuffle) at 35-40 mph *TT

870197 - Incorrectly installed gear driven camshaft position sensor synchronizer assemblies causing surge, lost of power, malfunction indicator lamp on and diagnostic codes P1336, P1309, P0340 *TT

I'm going to go search the web site again, because I think there's another one concerning linkage.

[sunsets]

I couldn't add this to my previous message.

This web site lists 181 TSBs, from the NHTSA's web site, on the '97 Taurus

1997 ford taurus Technical Service Bulletins

[ABE]

I looked at your list of numbers (but they are not Ford TSB's they are NHTSA numbers) and tried to google them, but they were for various Ford vehicles of a number of different years (none for '97). The general consensus seemed to be to talk to your Ford dealer about the specifics. In your case that is not helpfull.

I looked all through the 182 bulletins from the NHTSA and could not find much of interest. The following bulletins might be helpfull, but I don't know how to obtain the detail:

NHTSA Bulletin # 0 Harsh upshifts and surging
NHTSA Bulletin # 962511 Reprogramming the PCM (no info on what this would accomplish);
NHTSA Bulletin # 9943 Reprogramming the PCM (no info on what this would accomplish).

Hope this helps

[waylowrider]

ABE, Do you think her problem could be timing? After I replaced the distributor in our car, I took it for a test ride before I set the timing and when the car shifted from first to second, it jerked bad. Found out I was a tooth off putting the distributor in. Also, could the throttle position sensor be sticking and then releasing to cause the surge?

[ABE]

Originally Posted by waylowrider

ABE, Do you think her problem could be timing? After I replaced the distributor in our car, I took it for a test ride before I set the timing and when the car shifted from first to second, it jerked bad. Found out I was a tooth off putting the distributor in. Also, could the throttle position sensor be sticking and then releasing to cause the surge?

That's some good ideas, but I don't think the '97 has a distributor, I think it is all electronic. The distributor drive became a sensor for the fuel injection timing. The throttle position sensor reads the electrical resistance and should not cause any stiction in the throttle. Since the jerks and surges are not consistent it is difficult to see that there may be a bad segment in the throttle position sensor.

Transient problems are hard to pinpoint.