Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Marauder, 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, and 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
No communication with the front electronics module	Circuit. Module.	REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK .
Hard steering or lack of assist	Seized lower steering column shaft U-joints.	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Damaged, fractured steering column bearing(s).	REPAIR the steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Power steering pump.	GO to Pump Flow and Pressure Test Component Test.
	Suspension components.	REFER to ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
	Steering gear internal leakage.	GO to Pump Flow and Pressure Test Component Test.
Excessive steering pump noise	Power steering pump.	GO to Pump Flow and Pressure Test Component Test.
Excessive steering wheel play	Damaged, loose, or worn tie-rod end (3290).	GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod (3280).	GO to the Tie-Rod Articulation Torque Component Test.
	Damaged/worn steering gear.	INSTALL a new steering gear. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Loose, worn or damaged steering column bearing(s).	INSTALL new steering column bearing(s). REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn or damaged lower steering column shaft U-joint(s).	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Wander	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.	INFORM the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod.	GO to the Tie-Rod Articulation Torque Component Test.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends.	GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.
	Loose or damaged steering gear mounting bolts.	INSTALL new bolts or TIGHTEN the bolts. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Loose lower steering column shaft U-joint bolts.	TIGHTEN the bolts. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn or damaged lower steering column shaft U-joints.	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn or damaged steering column bearing(s).	INSTALL new steering column bearings. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Suspension components.	REFER to ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
Drift/pull	Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.	INFORM the customer of incorrect vehicle loading.
	Wheel alignment.	ADJUST as required. REFER to WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES .
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod.	GO to the Tie-Rod Articulation Torque Component Test.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends.	GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.
	Suspension components.	REFER to ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
	The steering gear valve effort out of balance.	GO to Steering Gear Valve Component Test.
	Check the brake system for correct operation.	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Incorrect frame/underbody alignment.	CORRECT as required. REFER to Frame Dimension Manual.
Feedback	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod.	GO to the Tie-Rod Articulation Torque Component Test.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends.	GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.
	Loose or damaged steering gear insulators or bolts.	INSTALL new bolts or TIGHTEN the retaining bolts. REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Loose lower steering column shaft U-joint bolts.	TIGHTEN the bolts. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose suspension bushings, fasteners or ball joints.	INSTALL new as necessary. REFER to FRONT in Suspension .
	Worn or damaged steering column bearing(s).	INSTALL new steering column bearing(s). REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Poor returnability/sticky steering	Binding lower steering column shaft U-joints.	INSTALL a new lower steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
	Loose, worn or damaged front wheel spindle tie-rod.	GO to the Tie-Rod Articulation Torque Component Test.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod ends.	GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.
	Suspension components.	REFER to ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
	Binding steering column bearing(s).	INSTALL new steering column bearing(s). REFER to STEERING COLUMN .
Shimmy	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod end.	GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.
	Loose, worn or damaged tie-rod.	GO to the Tie-Rod Articulation Torque Component Test.
	Suspension components.	REFER to ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS for suspension system diagnosis and testing.
Power steering pump noisy	Low fluid level and possible leakage.	FILL reservoir to specified level. CHECK for leaks. REPAIR as necessary.
	Plugged reservoir filter.	INSTALL a new reservoir; REFER to POWER STEERING .
	Power steering pump.	INSTALL a new power steering pump; REFER to POWER STEERING .