# 1989 Ford Taurus **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 24, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153 "2014-05-24T22:27:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vancouver\_washington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ba9def/32.png) [@vancouver\_washington](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vancouver_washington)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/1 "2014-05-24T22:27:57Z")
Car dies going down the road, last year I was towed three times on freeway, once in town. I noticed that before it shuts down the aircondition stops and auto windows won’t work then I go to step on the gas and nothing… it can happen two miles from home or 100 miles from home. after it sits awhile it will start. been to mechanic and he had it for a month and ran it everyday he said and nothing like that happened. I told him I was on a fixed income and I don’t know if that’s why he didn’t dig into it. I have gone to him for years I’m not sure why he did not help me more. thanks… ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/2 "2014-05-24T23:10:04Z")
Don’t these older Fords have problems with the ignition module failing when hot? ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/3 "2014-05-24T23:20:04Z")
If the idiot lights are not coming on when the engine quits a flaky ignition switch would be a good guess. The last ignition switch I replaced on one of my Fords was only $12.00 . Do this yourself-it’s very simple- with the instructions in a Haynes manual & you might get lucky for just a couple of bucks. If you do this make sure the hole in the new switch lines up with the pin in the steering column ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/4 "2014-05-24T23:25:25Z")
Yeah i’m on my 3rd ignition module on my 87 Ranger with 240K miles. But the module wont effect the power windows or air conditioning. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/5 "2014-05-24T23:27:38Z")
@‌87\_Ranger Considering you’re on your third module, the replacement parts must not be better than the original design? ---
**Author:** ![vancouver\_washington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ba9def/32.png) [@vancouver\_washington](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vancouver_washington)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/6 "2014-05-24T23:27:55Z")
thanks so much…my nephew from Alaska who owns a tire shop said right away Ignition Module… ---
**Author:** ![vancouver\_washington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ba9def/32.png) [@vancouver\_washington](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vancouver_washington)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/7 "2014-05-24T23:43:05Z")
Is the Ignition Module easy to replace without a mechanic? ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/8 "2014-05-24T23:47:04Z")
The modules seem to be good for around 110 K. The factory module made it to about 120 K & the truck started to backfire something awful. Replaced the module & at about 230K the engine would die & not start again til it cooled off. Replaced the module again. Cant complain since the truck has been incredibly reliable & the 2.9 liter V6 loves to rev & with the 5 speed it’s a kick to drive. ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 12:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/9 "2014-05-25T00:07:51Z")
The module is simple enough to replace, but did you tell your nephew that the power windows also quit working when the engine dies? Have you noticed whether or not the idiot lights come on when the engine dies?? If they don’t the ignition switch would be the main suspect. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/10 "2014-05-25T00:51:36Z")
@87_Ranger Have you had a cracked cylinder head? ---
**Author:** ![vancouver\_washington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ba9def/32.png) [@vancouver\_washington](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vancouver_washington)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/11 "2014-05-25T00:53:53Z")
thank you, I did tell my nephew that the windows didn’t work, and no idiot lights, everything dead. being that I am single it is hard to trust a mechanic, I thought this would be the most honest way to go, thanks again… ---
**Author:** ![vancouver\_washington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ba9def/32.png) [@vancouver\_washington](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vancouver_washington)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 1:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/12 "2014-05-25T01:17:29Z")
Not that I know of have I had a cracked cylinder head. I have had the alternator replaced and a new ignition lock. How about battery cables could that be the problem? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 1:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/13 "2014-05-25T01:42:29Z")
I heard from colleagues that are familiar with Ford . . . including some that worked at a Ford dealer . . . that the 2.9 V6 was known for cracked cylinder heads Glad to hear you guys escaped that fate ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 1:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/14 "2014-05-25T01:54:08Z")
@‌db4690 Yeah the 2.9’s don’t like to be overheated. So far no problems with mine. I think the 1990 and newer had beefed up heads. ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 2:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/15 "2014-05-25T02:06:31Z")
@"vancouver washington"‌ The ignition module cant cause everything to go dead, but a flaky ignition switch sure can. If this was my car i’d replace the switch. ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 2:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/16 "2014-05-25T02:19:35Z")
If you want to do this yourself take a look at the underside of the steering column plastic trim just behind the steering wheel. Theres probably 2 recessed screws with Philips heads Remove those screws and squeeze the lower half together & remove the upper half. This is probably how it comes apart The ignition switch sits on top of the column with about 10 wires attached. ---
**Author:** ![vancouver\_washington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ba9def/32.png) [@vancouver\_washington](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vancouver_washington)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/17 "2014-05-25T03:08:35Z")
you have been a big help, every one thanks… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 3:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/18 "2014-05-25T03:12:23Z")
My parents had a Taurus of similar vintage, and they had to replace the ignition switch a couple of times. ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 4:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/19 "2014-05-25T04:50:27Z")
Yeah it could be a problem on the battery side of the ignition switch. If the miserable thing would just die & stay dead it would make this much easier to figure out. ---
**Author:** ![vancouver\_washington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ba9def/32.png) [@vancouver\_washington](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vancouver_washington)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 5:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153/20 "2014-05-25T05:00:33Z")
I know, well its dead now cause it has sat so long. need to charge it and get this beast figured out. thanks. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-ford-taurus/85153.md?page=2)