I have a 1997 Ford Taurus GL with odd electrical problems. When the car is first started in the morning or after sitting for 12 hrs or more, everything seems to be fine. After driving for about 2 miles the sound from the radio goes out but the display still works.
Then for a while the radio sound will come back on if the rear window defroster is turned on. At this point the defrost switches power indicator light will work for a short while. Then the power indicator on the defrost switch will quit working and the radio sound speakers will go out again. But the radio display still works. At this point the power windows stop working. As I continue to drive along I will hear a relay under the dash clicking on and off . When this happens the rear window indicator switch flashes on and off as does the fasten seat belts light on the dash. At the same time the power steering also quits working. Some times stepping on the brakes or turning the steering wheel makes these last symptoms occur. Weird huh. But here is the real kicker. If I shift into neutral or park everything works fine. Back into any gear the problem is back. Works in neutral or park every time. After the car sits and cools for a number of hours when I start it up things are working fine until I drive it for a few miles. It is winter here in Wisconsin and the temp. guage is still reading usually still reading cold. I think it might be something related to the steering wheel ie.. a ground or ignition switch.
Any ideas that might be causing this problem would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Chuck Hubbell

 

Hi Chuck, Welcome to the site....

Sounds like the transmission range sensor,, (MLPS) Manual Lever Position Sensor,, or some just like to call them TRS.. Fairly common problem and failure.. Usually you'll notice that the power steering may loose it's power assist as well, or may be a jerky application while the condition is present along with the radio audio, power windows issues ect.. What happens is,, the range sensor loose's the expected 'value' from poor contacts when Drive/Reverse is selected and the GEM (Generic Electronic Module) see's that lost value and thinks the car is being started and cancels out/takes the electical loads 'off line' for the startup..

The transmission range sensor sits on top of the trans where the linkage/cable attaches..

 

Started off with the head lights dimming while driving. They would dim for an instant then back to normal. Then later the car would just loose power for an instant, never stall, then back to normal. Now it's like the trans slips out of gear and the car totally loose power and the RPM's race way up, then back to normal. While this is last one is happening, a few different idiot lights come on on the dash. Some times the low fuel, sometimes the ABS, some times others.

Any help would be great.

Thanx

 

All I can say is THANKYOU Hayapower, you were spot on and I can't begin to tell you how much you saved my butt when I was 300 miles away from home when my TRS went out. When I got it fixed the shop called it a "neutral safety switch". Thanks again!

 

frjn2271 I'm going through the exact same thing, If you find anything out please let me know. I been going through this for a week now & I can't find anything....