Code Reader on a Mercury

[tractormarkb]

My 2000 Mercury Sable wont shift into anything but 1st and reverse. It was in a crash and sat for a year. I took it to the Auto Parts store to get the Error Codes read and it showed 10 codes-6 for the trans and 4 for the engine. Where do I start-on the first code or just pick one. Maybe I should just take it to the mechanic, any advice would be appriciated. Thanks

 

[bob18]

might be cheaper to take it to a mechanic, if you know a good one. Seems like trustworthy mechanics are hard to find, but swapping parts sure isn't getting any cheaper!!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Just curious. What auto parts store were you able to have this code reading done at? What state?

 

[tractormarkb]

AutoZone in Caro Michigan

 

[KEB1]

Just having the codes won't necessarily tell you what to replace. Setting a code means that whatever is associated with that code is out of its normal range. Could be wiring, could be the sensor itself, could be some other mechanical problem that's causing the engine to produce an abnormal condition.

Look at the list of codes & what they're associated with, & see if there's something common to all of them. If you have the code numbers, there are several web site where you can look them up & see what they mean. Maybe a connector got pulled loose in the accident???

Keith

 

[glennster]

if you have acess to a scanner, rescan the car and write down all the codes present. if the car was in a fairly hard impact, its very common to display error codes. after you write don all the codes, have the scanner clear all the codes, then restart the vehicle and see what new codes come up. there is an electronic shift solenoid in the trans, that could be sticking and showing the error codes for the trans. did the air bags deploy?

 

[Bob]

Can you clear the codes with the scanner, and and start over?

Also, disconnect the battery for a few minutes to force the 'puter to reboot.

 

[Brian Jasper co. Ia]

I know of a few at a Chevy dealer in the Des Moines area that are trustworthy.
Your best bet would be clear the codes, drive it, and recheck. If the ign was turned on with things unplugged you'll have ghost codes. Since it won't upshift, I'd be wondering if the PCM is seeing a vehicle speed sensor value.(VSS) Does the speedometer work? Some other things that could keep it from upshifting are the TPS (throttle position sensor) and MAP (manifold absolute pressure). If they are indicating full throttle/ high engine load the PCM is not going to shift the trans.