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Problems with Mercury Mystique vehicles have led Ford to initiate recalls for manufacturing defects affecting the vehicles brakes, steering column and seat belts. Registered vehicle owners should have been notified in 1999 or 2000 about these recalls.

Brake Problems

In March 2000, Ford recalled 436,200 vehicles including Mercury Mystiques equipped with anti-lock braking systems. The systems had a manufacturing defect that could cause the rear brakes to corrode and eventually malfunction, increasing the risk of a crash.

Seat Belt Problems

In August 2000, Ford recalled 144,435 Mercury Mystique vehicles because the seat belts did not meet federal safety standards. This could result in the passenger not being fully restrained in the event of a crash.

Ignition Switch Problems

In March 1999, Ford recalled 4,569 vehicles including Mercury Mystiques with automatic transmissions that utilize a park/lock solenoid due to a defect that could require replacement of the steering column. The defect made it possible that the the driver could turn the ignition key into the lock position and remove the key without the shift lever and transmission being in "park" mode, which could cause a crash and/or result in personal injury.

Mercurys 2001 Sable uses an oil pressure sending unit mounted in an oil galley in the engine block to detect oil pressure within the engine. The sending unit in the 3.0-liter engine is a normally-closed switch that completes the low oil pressure warning lamp circuit to ground and illuminating the lamp when there is insufficient oil pressure. When oil pressure within the galley reaches the specified pressure, the switch opens and interrupts the low oil pressure lamp ground circuit, turning the lamp off. Illumination of the low oil pressure lamp can indicate a bad sending unit, bad connection at the sending unit wire, or a more serious condition within the engine that is lowering the oil pressure.

Instructions

Overhead Valve 3.0-Liter Engine

1

Locate the oil sending unit on the rear left side of the engine block above the flywheel. Disconnect the oil sending unit electrical connector.

2

Remove the oil sending unit, using a ratchet and socket.

3

Wrap the threads on the new oil sending unit with Teflon tape, or equivalent electrically conductive sealer. Make certain the tape does not cover the end of the oil sending units sensor that penetrates the engine oil galley.

4

Thread the new oil sending unit into the engine block. Tighten the sensor to 14 foot-pounds, using a foot-pound torque wrench and socket. Connect the oil sending unit electrical connector.

5

Start the engine. Make certain the low oil pressure warning lamp on the dash instrument cluster goes off after the engine starts. Allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature and check the sending unit for leaks.

Dual Overhead Cam 3.0-Liter Engine

6

Park the vehicle on firm, level ground. Engage the parking brake. Raise the vehicle using a jack and support it on jack stands. Chock the rear wheels.

7

Locate the oil sending unit on the left side of the engine above the oil filter. Disconnect the oil sending unit electrical connector.

8

Hold the adapter pipe in the engine block in place using an open-end wrench. Remove the oil sending unit from the adapter pipe, using a ratchet and socket.

9

Wrap the threads on the new oil sending unit with Teflon tape, or equivalent electrically conductive sealer. Make certain the tape does not cover the end of the oil sending units sensor that penetrates the engine oil galley.

10

Thread the new oil sending unit into the adapter pipe. While holding the adapter pipe in place with the wrench, tighten the oil sending unit to 10 foot-pounds, using a foot-pound torque wrench and socket.

11

Connect the oil sending unit electrical connector.

12

Raise the Sable with the jack, and then remove jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

13

Start the engine. Make certain the low oil pressure warning lamp on the dash instrument cluster goes off after the engine starts. Allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature and check the sending unit for leaks.

The Mercury Sable was a mid-size upscale sedan manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from the 1986 to the 2005 model years. The Sable is very similar to the Ford Taurus, with only a few cosmetic differences distinguishing the two models. The 1995 Mercury Sable came with a base 6-cylinder 3.0L engine or an optional 6-cylinder 3.8L engine, each with electronic fuel injection and a high-pressure electric fuel pump. Changing a malfunctioning fuel pump in this vehicle is a fairly difficult task that requires some expertise and specialized tools.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative terminal of the Sables battery with a socket wrench. Relieve the pressure in the fuel system. Pump the fuel out of the fuel tank through the filler neck with adapter hose 034-00011 and rotunda fuel storage tanker 034-00002.

2

Raise the vehicle on jack stands and remove the filler tube for the fuel tank. Support the fuel tank, and disconnect the support straps for the fuel tank. Disconnect the fuel lines, vent lines and electrical connectors from the fuel tank. Disconnect the fuel tank.

3

Clean the area around the attaching fuel pumps attaching flange on the fuel tank with a shop rag. Turn the lock ring for the fuel pump counter-clockwise with fuel tank sender wrench D84P-9275-A, and remove the lock ring. Disconnect the fuel pump assembly from the fuel tank, and remove the gasket from the attaching flange on the fuel tank.

4

Clean the mounting surfaces on the fuel tank. Apply a thin layer of grease to the new gasket, and place it into the fuel ring groove of the fuel tank. Place the fuel pump assembly into position without damaging the fuel filter. Replace the lock ring so that the locking tabs on the lock ring are under the tabs on the fuel tank. Turn the lock ring clockwise with fuel tank sender wrench D84P-9275-A until the lock ring reaches the limit of its travel.

5

Install the fuel tank and connect the fuel lines, vent lines and electrical connection for the fuel tank. Lower the vehicle and install the filler tube. Add 10 gallons of fuel to the fuel tank, and check the fuel system for leaks. Connect the cable to the negative terminal of the battery.

6

Attach a fuel pressure gauge. Turn the ignition on for three seconds, and repeat this procedure at least five times to pressurize the fuel system to at least 30 pounds per square inch. Check the fuel system for leaks and disconnect the pressure gauge. Start the vehicle and check for leaks once again.