12 problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1996 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Vehicle loses power steering after driving through standing water. Serpentine belt squeals for about 20 seconds and when the noise stops the steering power is restored.
Headlights would only work some of the time. Dealer replaced defective headlight switch. The engine developed a high pitched squeal, almost like a belt squeal. It was determined the cam synchronizer was defective. At that time the cam position sensor was also found to be defective. The magnet was falling out. The coolant overflow bottle was discolored, leaking and full of cracks causing antifreeze to pour out of the cooling system. Ford acknowledges there is a bank to bank coolant flow imbalance on some 1996 model year Taurus leading to contaminated/corroded coolant. Recall 98b23 was performed. But the damage was already done to the rest of the cooling system.
Vehicle loses power steering if right wheel splashes water onto serpintine belt. It only happens if right wheel goes through a water puddle and splashes water onto the serpintine belt. Consumer has had the problem happen 3times before. Problem has been repaired currently. Consumer please add VIN# and mileage to form.
The consumer turned on the heater and defroster and cold air along with a mist that filled the inside of the vehicle and covered the windshield. The consumer had to use paper napkins to clear the windows. The heater core is an existing problem that reoccurs every 3 months since April 2001. The dealer was notified. Nlm coolant leak. Dealer replaced heater core 5 times. Right rear window inoperative. Dealer replaced right rear window motor. Switch on air conditioner control head falls off. Dealer rpelaced cracked center control knob. Sunglass compartment in center console lid broke off. Console compartment door, hinge pins and spring replaced. Squeak noise under hood. Replaced belt tensioner and idler pulley.
Consumer was driving approximately 20mph, turning into a puddle, and engine stopped/ all power was lost. Shortly, it returned automatically, and consumer continued to drive. Dealership replaced the engine belt. There was a memorandum whereas consumer had problem being taken care off.
While driving through water in road due to rain or fire hydrant being flushed, vehicle momentarily loses partial powerand belt begins to squeal.
When engine belts get wet, vehicle experiences loss of power steering.
When we drive thru a small amount of water (puddle) with the right front, the car stalls. I have seen many of these reported in your complaints database & am wondering if any one have solved this problem yet. It just seems like water gets on the serpentine belt & it slips & stalls the car. Once it even restarted automatically without shutting the key off & re-starting. This seems very odd to me. How does the engine refire without turning the key?.
Had driven through a puddle of water & the water got inside the front of vehicle. Belts inside got wet. This caused the engine to stall. Had made squealing noises when it was stalling. After a few seconds squealing sound stopped. Vehicle then returned to normal. Did not have to restart vehicle. Taking vehicle to dealer to check.
Serpentine belt has slippage, causing loss of vehicle control. Problem occurs when vehicle is driven over water puddles.
Passenger's door rattles. Replaced steering rack/leaking oil pan gaskets/oil filter and bracket/ seat belt retractor/rear defroster.
When driving over a puddle, the alternator belt gets wet, causing the vehicle to lose steering power, and the vehicle stalls.