Questions and Answers
Taurus Temperature Fluctuates
Q. I have a problem with the cooling system!! 1988 Ford Taurus, 3.0 engine, over 100,000 but it still runs very good. Fuel injection A/C with cruise control. The problem is the temperature gauge keeps fluctuating. when idling-it goes pass the middle of the gauge when on freeway-the needle fumigates up to middle back between cold and middle.
I put new:
Radiator
Change block and head freeze plugs because some were leaking
New belts
New hoses
New heater core
Has good thermostatI don't what it could be?
A. It sounds to me like the cooling fan is not working. If the vehicle was built before 12/01/87, I would check for loose terminals in the fan wire harness connector. There was a problem with them and Ford had a new connector, P/N E8DZ-14A411-A, to replace them with. There is also a fusible link located on the left radiator support about half way down that might be blown.
Fords better idea was to integrate the cooling fan controls into the PCM which makes simple troubleshooting a little more difficult. The one good thing about it is that it will throw a code and turn on the light if something goes wrong. A scan tool will quickly display and stored codes.
It's also possible the water pump impeller is worn out and not pumping the coolant properly. In addition there might be an air bubble in the cooling system. Ford is very adamant that an accurate 50/50 coolant mixture is used. Ford claims that concentration other that 50/50 will lead to "Cooling system concerns" whatever that means.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
