Clueless and perhaps obtuse ramblings of a newbie

[Glen Cleeton]

Hello all.

I've got questions and hope to find some answers. Forgive me if the first three or four seem to be rushed.

I recently adopted 1997 SHO 1FALP5N3VA136478 with 96,910 miles

First query would be; Where the heck can I find an owners manual? I don't mind suprises and the last month has been interesting but I'd feel more at home with this beast if I knew what some of the secrets were.

I may seem obtuse about the next one but am wondering if I'm just blind. The cd button gives up a NO CD display (doesn't it display differently if there is no changer?) which would indicate there is a changer mounted back there somewhere, but danged if I can find it. I guess I need to start at the antenna and look for the harness.

I really just have not had a lot of time to spend digging out the little things with all the storms and other real life demands.

Further obtuse rambling ahead. No trunk light???? Is it possible to easily find the five digit keyless entry code? (not critical but it would be nice)

Thanks in advance for any information. I just kind of stumbled into this vehichle while shopping for towncars. It seems like it will be a bit more fun.

Anyway, take it easy on this poor hapless guy and I'll be lurking more than posting for quite a spell.

Cheers

GC

 

[stephen newberg]

Hi Glen,

Congrats on your new addition. I will try to get a few of the simpler questions for you.

" Where the heck can I find an owners manual?"

Mine was in a folder fitted into the bracket in the glove compartment. If yours is gone, a trip down to your local Ford dealer to get them to bring in one for your might be worthwhile.

"The cd button gives up a NO CD display (doesn't it display differently if there is no changer?) which would indicate there is a changer mounted back there somewhere, but danged if I can find it."

That display is trying to tell you that no CDs are loaded into the changer. The changer itself is in a sort of black boxlike affair in the left rear corner of the trunk. Almost looks like a small battery box. The lit flips on a hinge toward the centerline of the car.

"No trunk light????"

Yes, there is one, so it sounds like yours is burned out. On the trunk lid off the centerline a bit to the left, if I remember correctly.

"Is it possible to easily find the five digit keyless entry code?" The location on this is supposed to be on a stick on paper thing in the trunk too, but I never managed to find mine and had to have the guy with the computer at the Ford dealership read it out of his machine for me.

It is a great car, but you should check into the potential for problems with the cam sprockets. There are a few threads here about it, and a good deal more over at V8SHO.COM. At the moment there seem to be documented failures of this part in between .5 and 1% of the Gen IIIs made, so it is of some concern. Getting the cam sprockets welded seems to be the simplest fix, and is about a $500 operation, but you need to find a competant shop to do it.

Look forward to hearing more from you and if you have further questions, someone here almost always knows something, or at least can point you in the right direction.

pax, smn

 

[Osiris]

To further Stephen's excellent information you can find the code to your key pad attached to the side of the grey computer box underneath the driver's side of the dashboard. The number is 5 digits off to one side. the lable is white and looks sort of like a mailing label. I suggest using a compact mirror for assistance. It might also help if you are any type of contortionist.

 

[Glen Cleeton]

Thanks for the replies guys.

It looks like I need to spend some more time looking in the trunk. wink I don't think there is a changer and just saw the explanation of the display last night on the other page. Perhaps a harness with no changer reads the same as a changer.

Dang, I've really looked high and low for the light too. With a bit of sunshine out there today, I should really follow up. I'll give finding the key-code a shot too. Upside down under the dash is almost second nature after 30+ years of German cars. Heck, I only found the trunk release after three weeks of driving (it's the button with the picture on it dummy [doh])

Ya, the cams. If I'm reading right here, there is someone in Spencer, Ma? This would be good news as I'm about 15 minutes east. With the spiffiness of the engine bay, I'm almost wondering if something major hasn't already been done.

I figure I've stumbled on an auction car, the used car dealer didn't have a whole lot to say and I figured it was hopeless to find any service history. Obvious missing stuff were things like floor mats, cigarette lighter and ashtray liner. Little stuff.

I'm reading a lot of great information on this board and certainly will be asking some more questions.

Here's one; Battery/alternator flickering above 6,000 rpm. What's up with that?

Generally speaking, it seems like a good tight ride for the mileage. My first V-8 since that minty 1964 Dodge Polara so many years ago.

Thanks again for the info, I need to get out of the PJs and go bond.

GC

~~~~
Well, I guess I was reading the cd display wrong (wasn't waiting for the :OJ) Something to spend a tax refund on.

No joy on the trunk light, c'mon now, I'm not that blind.

Five digit code on a gray computer box? I'll find it yet dang it (I guess you really do need a mirror)

<small>[ January 05, 2003, 01:07 PM: Message edited by: Glen Cleeton ]</small>

 

[SHOZ123]

Here's one; Battery/alternator flickering above 6,000 rpm. What's up with that?

I'm sure at 96k your alternator is getting ready to quit. Not a fun job to change nor cheap. Here is a good explanation of how an alternator works and the warning light too.

Alternator workings

 

[bullitt2001]

the dealer will probably charge you a good amount for a owners manual and packet.the packet coatains other important info like warranty coverage,service guides,etc. try calling a few wrecking yards to see if they have any shos that were junked because they were wrecked,etc.the trunk light is easy to replace.it is located under the area close to where the speakers are at,but not as far back.the bulb is cheap.as for the c.d light,im not sure,however,if your car has one,it will be located in the trunk on the left side.

 

[SHOZ123]

There have been a couple on eBay lately too.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Head over to Kirk in Spoencer for the cam weld. He has done many and does a lot of extra work while he has the intake apart. e-mail him at [email protected] also sign up for the v8sho mailing list...go to v8sho.com for more info

 

[SHOWHAT9]

Congrats on your 97. With a few bugs ironed out you will love this car.
1)owners manual - They are popping up almost always on ebay. www.ebay.com search for Taurus and be patient they are there.
2)CD Changer. They almost exclusively came as a stock item with the Mach Audio system. That being said, they are a pos. With tax refund in hand go to www.cdchangersnow.com. For about $260.00 you can have a 10 disc changer that will never skip, will always find your disc and fits right into factory harness.
3)Cams - sign up on the V8SHO list and you will meet Kirk real quick. Is highly recommended and at 15 minutes from you couldn't be better.
4)Do they still say Dang in the Northeast???:}

 

[Glen Cleeton]

Thanks again for the replies guys.

A complete stranger (to me) sent off a pdf file of the manuals and I am truly thankful for that.

The trunk light, hmmmm. It just ain't there! No socket anywhere at the cyclops, nothing on the lid, nothing on the lip. This is an October '96 build. Cloth, moonroof.

No changer for the cd but I did find the harness plug and maybe the tax refund will be spent on a 10-discer.

I will need to check out Kirk at some point soon. It will be good to have a competent mechanic close by. I started in the trade as a teen but have gone on to other things and there is only so much that can be done in driveways.

Thanks all y'all, for the welcome to the community. Real life keeps me pretty busy but I have spent quite a bit of time reading here and the information is terrific.

Yes, a few of us displaced country boys still say "dang" after 35 years in New England.

GC