Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Mercury Sable
Mercury Sable Models:
Mercury Sable Problems
Engine Oil Pan Gasket May Leak
The engine oil pan gasket can develop a leak. Leaking oil may accumulate on the exhaust system resulting in a burning smell. Replacing the gasket should correct this leak.
Camshaft Sensor Magnet may Damage Synchronizers
The magnet for the camshaft position sensor may fall out of its mount and damage the synchronizers. This causes long crank times when starting the engine and may cause the Check Engine Light to illuminate. If this happens, both the magnets and the synchronizers need to be replaced.
Engine Stalling and/or Hesitation on Acceleration due to Faulty Idle Air Bypass Valve
If you experience difficulty starting the engine when cold, stalling at idle, or hesitations during acceleration, it may be the idle air bypass valve. This valve helps the vehicle idle steady when the accelerator pedal is not pressed.
Popping, Squeaking, Noisy Sounds from Front Wheel Areas While Driving
Chafing of the jounce bumper against the strut rod and / or rubbing of the dust boot against the strut mount cup can cause popping, squeaking, and noisy sounds from front wheel areas while driving. Lubricate the jounce bumper (bump stop), strut rod, and boot with dielectric grease fix this concern.
Clunking Noise and/or Damaged AC Hose
Worn motor mounts can cause the motor to rise during acceleration, causing a clunking noise and possibly damaging the AC hoses. Damage to the AC hoses can cause a loss refrigerant resulting in no cold air from the AC. The motor mount will need to be replaced prior to repairing the damaged hose or the problem will continue.
Mercury Sable Recalls (Recent)
Mercury Sable Recall 90E043001
Summary: THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Learn more »Ford Recalls Multiple Vehicles for Owner's Guide Errors Regarding Child Restraint Information
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Ford has recalled 2000-2001 Expedition and 2001 F150, Taurus, and Mercury Sable vehicles due to an error in the owner's manual. The section regarding "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems" is incomplete and omits essential information. Without this information, a child may be injured during a crash. Ford has mailed owners a corrected label to affix to the original owner's manual page.
Learn more »Ford Recalls Many 2000-2001 Vehicles Due to a Wiper Motor Malfunction
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Ford has recalled certain 2000-2001 Excursion, Expedition, F150, F250, F350, Focus, Taurus, Mercury Sable, Lincoln Continental, Navigator, and Town Car vehicles due to a defect in the wiper motor gear case. The wiper motor could overheat and malfunction, which may cause the wipers to stop working as designed. Dealers will inspect the wiper motor and replace the gear case cover.
Learn more »Ford Recalls Several 1997-1998 Vehicle Lines to Provide Proper Headlamp Aiming Instructions
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Ford has recalled certain 1997-1998 Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles and 1998 Contour, Mercury Mystique, Lincoln Navigator, and Town Car models to provide owners with proper instructions on how to aim their headlamps. If there is a need to adjust the headlamps, during headlamp replacement for example, there is a lack of proper documentation on how to properly perform the adjustment. Ford will mail vehicle owners a new owner guide containing revised aiming instructions.
Learn more »Ford Recalls 2000 Excursion, Taurus, and Mercury Sable Vehicles for Faulty Headlight Switch Knob
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Ford has recalled 2000 Excursion, Taurus, and Mercury Sable vehicles for a concern with the headlight switch knob. The knob may fracture and detach from the headlight switch, which can make it difficult for the driver to employ the headlights. Dealers will replace the knob.
Learn more »Mercury Sable Questions and Answers
I have a 1990 Mercury Sable, 3.0 engine, 40K orig. miles. I bought it a year ago, was running fine. Starting having trouble in the morning starting, had to keep my foot on the gas to keep it runni...
can i fix it and if so how to go about doing it
transmission leaks fluid mainly when I take a long trip.I fill it up to safe checkered box on dipstick and it does not leak til i take a trip on the highway and the it leaks a spot about 4 inches b...
i Would like to know where is the transmission vacuum on this car located
If I try to excellerate too fast I hear a short squeal. Once I get to third gear the car is fine.
Mercury Sable Reviews
I have had a Mercury Sable - DOHC new from the showroom since January 2000. I had a problem with it trying to overheat whenever the temp was over 85 degrees, but because of a great mechanic who refused to fix things on suspicion, it did take about 2 years to reslove - couldn't get the issue to replicate in the shop. It was suggested that we wash the engine, and that fixed the issue - cost of $00000. The air intakes were clogging up because of Cotton wood and other air borne crud. Replaced the springs both front and back like most other owners - not an expensive fix. The brakes have required only normal maitenance in the 165000 miles I have driven it. I do see on my car and similar cars for about the year (Taurus and Sable's), rust on the rear rocker panels. My mechanic has said that the body will wear about before the engine. I beleive him. Car fires right up in below zero weather every time! I can live with the rust issue when the car has been this reliable. I would buty this car again.
I brought my 2005 mercury sable in 2010, it ran fine until 2012, Aug the light came on, took it to Auto Zone, etc, it said the sensors were bad six of them. Pep Boys said they could not all be bad. The transmission went out and the car kept overheating, I would up paying for a new computer chip, about $700.00, had the heating repaired, $85.00, the transmission redone and ball joint changed $1900.00, $300.00 for tune up. This thing eats gas like 10 dollars every 2 days whether I drive it or not. I have the vehicle from hell now. The light came on and I kept trying to get it off. It finally went off. Now, I'm told I need to pay $80.00 to get the computer reset because of the transmission work. the gear shift indicater will not stay in gear.. Worst piece of _______
I have ever owned. Will not even say the word again.
When I first bought my 2000 Mercury Sable, I had starting issues, plus stalling on me. Then we took it to Ford garage and 3 other mechanics....NO CODE errors came up on their high tech machines. So, my husband n I did the process of elimination with help of the fancy mechanics manual. Found that if we wiggle 2 different megafuses, it would start. Then we had to replace 3 important electrical parts, ECM was one of them...Now it works, starts, very nicely. Great car, but I found that if I put the car in 2nd it goes up the hills nicely without the skipping and bucking, then put in OD once over the hill. Now, I am trying to figure out why I only have the high speed wipers. Replaced the arm that runs the wipers, but no change with new piece. If anyone has any idea what else I need to try, please post your solution.
I drove my Sable out of the Manhattan showroom Christmas 1993 and she has been a very sweet ride for the last 19 years and 180,000 miles. I had various parts replaced in recent years ie: alternator, water pump, radiator. Major issue was the head gaskets replaced Jan 2011 and for no apparent reason since the car never ran low on coolant or overheated. Its 6000 miles later and she flys as she always has. She is happiest on the open road in any kind of weather torrential rain or snow this car is unwavering and stable holding the road like a magnet.
I have had the car for 18K miles now and have put in about $2,000 in repairs. Mainly due to not having inspected it properly when buying, so its my fault really.
In response to the post by "Visitor, Prescott, WI, February 18, 2012 23:01" I had the same problem where it turns off when stopping. This is very likely because the car is not getting much Oxygen. The primary cause of it was a hole in the main air line (underneath) so it was not easily detectable because it was not visible. There was also a leak in the manifold exaust. It cost about 300 to fix the issue.
In response to the post about going up hill and the tc going up but not shifting. I have a similar problem. My car hesitates in shifting when I am going up a steep hill. It doesn't know whether or not to upshift or downshift and kind of jerks a bit. I don't have a solution for you though :(