Reader desperate for solution
Dear Mike:
I have a 2004 Ford Taurus, and when the heater is on, outside air comes directly into the passenger area from the outside, unfiltered, unlike when the air conditioner is on. Most of our driving is in town in heavy traffic, and we are not able to use the heater because of the pollution that comes in. This makes for some long, cold trips.
When we contacted the dealership, we were brushed off with a “That’s the way it is, and we can’t fix it.” My last call to the dealership about two weeks ago was answered with “We will have someone call you back.” I got no return telephone call. I have tried calling Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Mich., but the people I was connected to in customer service seemingly knew less about the car than I do.
I am about to run out of warranty, and I am getting desperate.
- Name withheld
A: Unfortunately, according to the service manual, the heating system on your Taurus is supposed to be that way (i.e., fresh air only when in heater mode). However, it is possible to beat it: The way around the problem is to turn on the air conditioner to maximum — which automatically uses only recirculated, rather than fresh, air — and then crank up the heat setting until the interior temperature is comfortable.
I agree that this is really a stupid setup. Most other cars’ heating and air-conditioning systems let you choose between fresh and recirculated air in almost every mode.
Dear Mike:
I own a 2000 Hyundai Accent GS. It has 26,000 miles on it. After an average of two to three minutes of running, if I put it in drive it starts to vibrate. It vibrates less in neutral. If I turn on my air conditioner, the vibration gets worse. It happens only if I am stopped - if I accelerate, it goes away.
My mechanic tried to adjust it by raising the idle to 900 rpm, but it didn’t help. He said I need a new fuel filter; another said I need a timing belt.
- Name withheld
A: Start by taking a very close look at all of the rubber motor mounts for deterioration or damage. If they’re all intact, loosen all the mount bolts one full turn. Then start the car, let it idle, put it in drive and then reverse a couple of times, then shut it off. Now tighten all the motor mounts.
This should align all of the mounts so they let the engine shake a little, but won’t transfer the shake to the rest of the car. I seriously doubt that the trouble is with the fuel filter or the timing belt.
Dear Mike:
I have a 1985 Lincoln Mark VII. I’ve driven it only 86,000 miles since it was new. The digital dashboard has failed. It blinks at random, often displaying the wrong numbers and beeping at odd moments.
The part has been discontinued for several years. I’ve checked all the salvage yards in my area, with no luck.
Where can I get a new dashboard?
- C.L., Silver Spring, Md.
A: Some competent mechanic with electrical experience has already checked the power and ground connections to the dashboard electronics, right?
I typed “repaired digital dashboard” into a couple of Internet search engines and came up with more than a dozen outfits that say they can repair your dash. There are also places that advertise in Hemmings Motor News. Some will even exchange your dash for a repaired one, so you wouldn’t be without your car for long. Let your fingers do the walking.