Questions and Answers

Taurus Taurus SHO Whines

Q. We have a 1999 Ford Taurus SHO 3.4 V8, automatic transmission, 30,000 miles fuel injection ABS brakes P/S-A/C, cruise control high precision ZF speed sensitive rack and pinion steering. Our problem started 3 weeks ago. When we were at a stop light when we took our foot off the brake to give it gas it whines like it is in neutral for about 8 seconds or so, Then it engages and runs okay. It does not happen very often. But it did it 10/16, 10/19, 10/21, 10/27, 10/28 two times. We took it to our Ford dealer 10/19 and they could not find anything. We took it back 10/23/00 and they kept it and drove it with a meter on it and still nothing showed up. It is very dangerous and we never know when it will happen. It only happens after you come to or almost stop and let go of the brake and give it gas. What do you think the problem could be? We have shifted the car into a lower gear and it still whines like it is in neutral for about 8 seconds and then it engages.

Mary Jo

A. I don't know how much I can help you with this. I have never heard of a problem like this before. It does sound like it's in the transmission, but I can't be sure without driving it.

What I would suggest is to go back to the dealer and instead of the technician driving it, you drive the car with the technician. You know when it happens and have a better chance of duplicating the conditions that the malfunction occurs. Then when it does happen, the technician will know what to look for and can, at the very least, verify the complaint.