Man I just got a beautiful 1999 Taurus with only 61000 miles on it! I still have the 30 day tag on it and the service engine light came on today. I can't say that I've been driving it hard. But I do get a little lead footed getting on the highway! but outside of that I have not been hard on it. So where do I go from here? Do I have to take her in a pay the $50-$70 to get it scanned? I read the manual and it said it could be the emissions unit? is there a common problem relating to this make and model that I can use as a starting point?

Take it to an Autozone or Advanced Auto. I know these 2 stores will read it for free. Some other stores will do it to depending on whats in your area. You could also buy a scanner. They are really reasonable these days. I picled mine up at Walmart for $60 and it reads the codes and shows monitor readiness. Its hard to give you a starting point without getting the codes. You could be wasting your money replacing parts that are still good.

Hey thanks for the info
I just went to autozone it read a P1744 however the read out is strange to me.
It reads:


Torque converter clutch system performance
definition
Transmission slippage detected
explination
ECM has detected an Excessive amount of slippage during normal driving conditions

Probrable cause
1. low fluid
2. Failed transmission

definition
Tiptronic swith recognition circuit short to ground

definition
Preasure control solenoid "A" Electrical


I found this to be confusing. However I did check the fluid. It's red and at the correct levels. So I was wondering where to go from there. thanks in advance.

My 99 Taurus which I bought new, I had to replace the trans earlier this year... mileage similiar to yours. However we had no warning, planetary gearset just decided to fracture into a few pieces, cost 1450 to redo, Ford's response to their s@@t trans was UHHH, sorry we can't help the fact that ours trans destroyed itself after 60+k miles of well-maintained driving, how about stopping in and we'll sell you a new car???

Hey thanks for the info
I just went to autozone it read a P1744 however the read out is strange to me.

Oh shit :shakehead

Transmission time!

I got the car from JD Byrider. The service guy said it could just be when I was getting on it the tranny slipped a bit and it stimulated the sensor and the service engine soon light was on. So he had me stop in so he could reset it. He used a simular machine that Autozone used and now the light does not come on. He said if it goes back on the car is completely under warrenty and will be for the next 22 months or 23000 miles and they will do a complete rebuild (all covered by warrenty) if it comes back on. So I will give it a shot. I have a few long distance trips I'm going on along with my AAA gold membership if it acts up I will take them up on that.

I had the same problem on my 1998 Ford Taurus. When u have moisture in the gas tank or when the gas tank gas cap is not secured locked, the moisture will build inside. You need to go to the gas station and filled the tank with Premium gas. Then go to Wal-Mart and get the gas treatment with moisture cleaner, STP makes it and cost around $7.89 and covers up to 35 gallons. Pour it in and drive about 50 to 75 miles. Then disconnect battery positive cable and after 2 minutes reconnect it so the code in the computer resets. The Service Engine Soon light will turn off. Good Luck!

I had the same problem on my 1998 Ford Taurus. When u have moisture in the gas tank or when the gas tank gas cap is not secured locked, the moisture will build inside. You need to go to the gas station and filled the tank with Premium gas. Then go to Wal-Mart and get the gas treatment with moisture cleaner, STP makes it and cost around $7.89 and covers up to 35 gallons. Pour it in and drive about 50 to 75 miles. Then disconnect battery positive cable and after 2 minutes reconnect it so the code in the computer resets. The Service Engine Soon light will turn off. Good Luck!


Welcome to the forum!

While checking the fuel cap to make sure it's tight is good advice in general, I don't think it is going to fix a transmission-related code of P1744, unfortunately.

-Rod