Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
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HOMESERVICE MANUALSFORD1998TAURUS V6-3.0L DOHC VIN SREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISSTARTING AND CHARGINGSTARTING SYSTEMIGNITION SWITCHTESTING AND INSPECTIONINITIAL INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW
1998 Ford Taurus V6-3.0L DOHC VIN S
Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview
1998 Ford Taurus V6-3.0L DOHC VIN SSECTION Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview
1. Verify the customer's original concern by operating the switches to duplicate the condition:
^ in RUN without the engine running.
^ in START before the ignition switch is released.
^ in RUN with the engine running.
2. Inspect to determine if any of the following mechanical or electrical concerns apply:
Visual Inspection:
Mechanical
^ Damaged switch.
^ Low fluid level (washer system).
Electrical
^ Fuses.
^ Circuit wiring.
^ Generic electronic module.
^ Damaged ignition switch connectors.
3. If inspection reveals an obvious concern that can be readily serviced, correct the concern before continuing with Inspection and Verification.
4. If the concern remains after the inspection, connect the New Generation STAR (NGS) Tester to the Data Link Connector (DLC) located beneath the instrument panel and select the vehicle to be tested from the NGS menu. If the NGS does not communicate with the vehicle:
^ check that the program card is properly installed.
^ check the connections to the vehicle.
^ check the ignition switch position.
5. If the NGS still does not communicate with the vehicle, refer to the New Generation STAR Tester manual.
6. Perform the DATA LINK DIAGNOSTIC TEST. If the NGS responds with:
^ CKT914, CKT915 OR CKT70 = ALL ECUS NO RESP/NOT EQUIP.
^ NO RESP/NOT EQUIP for Generic Electronic Module (GEM), go to Pinpoint Test E.
^ SYSTEM PASSED, retrieve and record the continuous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), erase the continuous DTCs and perform self-test diagnostics for the GEM.
7. If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, go to Generic Electronic Module (GEM) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTCs) Index to continue diagnostics.
8. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved proceed to the Symptom Chart to continue diagnostics.
^ in RUN without the engine running.
^ in START before the ignition switch is released.
^ in RUN with the engine running.
2. Inspect to determine if any of the following mechanical or electrical concerns apply:
Visual Inspection:
Mechanical
^ Damaged switch.
^ Low fluid level (washer system).
Electrical
^ Fuses.
^ Circuit wiring.
^ Generic electronic module.
^ Damaged ignition switch connectors.
3. If inspection reveals an obvious concern that can be readily serviced, correct the concern before continuing with Inspection and Verification.
4. If the concern remains after the inspection, connect the New Generation STAR (NGS) Tester to the Data Link Connector (DLC) located beneath the instrument panel and select the vehicle to be tested from the NGS menu. If the NGS does not communicate with the vehicle:
^ check that the program card is properly installed.
^ check the connections to the vehicle.
^ check the ignition switch position.
5. If the NGS still does not communicate with the vehicle, refer to the New Generation STAR Tester manual.
6. Perform the DATA LINK DIAGNOSTIC TEST. If the NGS responds with:
^ CKT914, CKT915 OR CKT70 = ALL ECUS NO RESP/NOT EQUIP.
^ NO RESP/NOT EQUIP for Generic Electronic Module (GEM), go to Pinpoint Test E.
^ SYSTEM PASSED, retrieve and record the continuous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), erase the continuous DTCs and perform self-test diagnostics for the GEM.
7. If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, go to Generic Electronic Module (GEM) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTCs) Index to continue diagnostics.
8. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved proceed to the Symptom Chart to continue diagnostics.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.