Speed Control Cable problems of the 2004 Ford Taurus - part 2

While driving vehicle to work, noticed that cruise control would not engage as normal. As I began to decel onto the off-ramp, the engine rpm stay at approx 2800 rpm and would not go any lower. Found that black cruise control tab on throttle body had allowed throttle cable to slip out partially, causing the throttle body to stay partially open. Had to wire-tye the end of throttle body for cable to remain engaged to operate vehicle.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while stopped, there was a rapid increase in engine rpms. The contact applied heavy pressure to the brake pedal and shifted into neutral. The failure ceased and the contact continued driving. A few moments later, the failure recurred. The contact safely drove the vehicle home and had her spouse examine the vehicle. The contact's spouse noticed that the cruise control cable was detached and he reattached it. The vehicle was not take to have the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 15 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes would not respond. There was an increase in rpms and the vehicle lurched forward while the engine continued to race. The contact continued to apply excessive force to the brake pedal, placed the vehicle in neutral and was able to stop the vehicle. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technician was unable to determine the cause of the failure. There was an investigation under NHTSA action number: pe12005 (vehicle speed control:cables) that may be related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

I read this story u. S. Investigates Ford Tauruses for stuck throttles by peter valdes-dapena @peterdrives March 12, 2012: 1:19 pm et and when it happened to me did not think much about it but after reading this I am now concerned. I just pulled out from a gas station accelerated to about 30mph when I notice it was still accelerating without my foot on the accelerator pedal. As it was still gaining speed I became nervous and put it into neutral it did rev up to a hi tach speed (5000) or better. I kicked the accelerator pedal quick and hard to see if that would knock it down before I would have turned it off but it did work. I latter stopped opened the hood looked for anything obvious around the area where accelerator & speed control cable come to and found the speed control cable not connected to the ball. Reattached it but seemed loose plastic seemed to be worn some. But has fallen off again. Checked the speed control cable where it goes into the control box seemed to be loose and no binding. In all the years I have had this car have had this problem one time. . . . Oh and by the way just before I kicked the accelerator I did try to turn on/off the speed control thinking that somehow it had engaged but had no effect.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly accelerated up to 60 mph. The tacometer began to display a very high reading and the contact applied the brakes. The brakes would not disengage the cruise control, but the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact also stated that it was very difficult to stop the vehicle because the engine continued to rev. The vehicle was eventually pulled over to the side of the road and shut off. Upon restart, the engine continued to rev. The vehicle was driven safely to an authorized dealer, where the throttle body and the cruise control cable were repaired. The failure mileage was 79,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when driving approximately 45 mph and merging onto a highway, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to higher speeds. After trying to depress the brakes, the vehicle still would not stop. After merging off the highway, she had to engage the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where they advised that the speed control cable had fractured, which caused the unattended acceleration. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 114,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that he deactivated the cruise control while driving 55 mph, but the vehicle would not decelerate. There was a constant increase in engine rpms until the contact applied heavy pressure to the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the throttle position sensor was replaced. The contact examined the vehicle the following morning and noticed that transmission fluid had leaked onto the ground. The failure persisted. The contact then disconnected the cruise control cable and the failure had not recurred since. The transmission leak continued despite numerous repairs performed by the contact and an authorized dealer. The failure mileage was 86,311. Updated 04/13/12 the consumer stated the vehicle would not decelerate normally. There was a higher than normal engine rpm and he had to use heavier than normal braking to both slow and stop the vehicle. Just prior to arriving at a safe parking area, the idle returned to normal. After a brief stop, the consumer went back home. Initially, the idle was normal, but then the high idle returned. The vehicle wa taken to an independent mechanic, where the throttle position sensor was replaced. The consumer examined the vehicle the next day, where he noticed transmission fluid was leaking. The transmission dipstick shaft and dipstick was extended about 3-4 inches onto the ground. All fluids appeared normal after inspection was performed. The consumer replaced the iac and returned to the mechanic to verify proper installation. The consumer then disconnected the cruise control cable from the throttle body as the high idle persisted. The transmission leak continued despite numerous repairs performed by the consumer and the authorized dealer. Updated 04/23/12.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. The contact placed the gear shifter into neutral and was able to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred three different times. The contact stated that the failure would occur within twenty-four hours of using the cruise control. The cruise control was not activated when the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. There was an investigation for the 2005 Ford Taurus under NHTSA action number pe12005 (vehicle speed control:cables), that may be related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the driver informed him of the engine rpms increasing when the vehicle stopped. While driving at any speed the vehicle would not slow down when pressure was removed from the accelerator pedal. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the cable from the vehicle speed control was not properly attached to the throttle body arm. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have the failure diagnosed and it was not repaired. The failure mileage was 81,000 and the current mileage was 82,918.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal would become stuck, causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably. The contact would pump in order to dislodge the pedal. The dealer diagnosed that the cruise control cable separated, which interfered with the throttle body. The dealer replaced the cruise control cable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 59,900 and the current mileage was 80,000. Updated 04/19/2012.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the cruise control would become stuck and the vehicle would accelerate and abnormally. When the failure occurred, the contact would have difficulty bringing the vehicle to a stop. The contact stated that the failure could have been caused by the cable tightening, but the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for confirmation of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was 141,000.

Date approximate. Ford Taurus 2004. Vehicle accelerated and rpm increased on a downhill grade after removing all pressure from the accelerator peddle. On subsequent level grades vehicle did not slow down when the accelerator peddle was released. Braking was difficult. Upon inspection, the cable end had slipped out of its socket and jammed behind the control linkage. The Ford garage said that Ford had no recalls on the item and I would have to pay to replace the entire throttle body. Not having the money and wanting to await news from Ford, I carefully drilled a small hole through the knuckle/linkage and then safety wired the knuckle to the linkage. I drive less than 6000 miles a year. It is still working but the weakened conditioned, original defect and subsequent temporary.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. While driving 65 mph, the cruise control failed to activate after several attempts and caused the speed to decrease. After approximately ten minutes of driving, the cruise control switch activated on its own. The cruise control indicator was not illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact exited off of the highway, but she could not deactivate the cruise control. She had to place the vehicle into neutral in order to completely stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the cruise control cable failed. The cost to repair the vehicle was $404. No repairs have yet been made and the vehicle is still being driven. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 50,098 and current mileage was 60,200.

Throttle cable rubbing against engine causing gas pedal vibration. Oil filter leaks onto part of muffler causing smoke no matter how tight.