Odd problem (unconfirmed) with the ex missus' Cougar

Rilot · 16 Aug 2007 at 11:16

My ex says that her 2.5 Cougar's PAS will occasionally cut out while maneuvering at low speed. She says the warning lights on the dash light up, then go dim. Only way to get it working again is switch off and restart.

OK fair enough but I cannot for the life of me replicate the problem.
She says it happens EVERY time she drives it. I've covered 100 miles in it in the last 2 days and no problem at all.
Unfortunately, she is now scared of the car and won't even drive it with me in it.

She cannot tell me whether the engine cuts out or not but says "it loses power".

Any ideas? The PAS fluid is full and looks OK. The weak alternator on these models seems to be chucking out 14V. The sepentine aux belt is tight.

I'm wondering if it's her stalling the car at low revs or something.

Jonnycoupe · 16 Aug 2007 at 11:21

Yeah sounds like shes stalling it TBH.

Ex-RoNiN · 16 Aug 2007 at 11:36

Has the car had an accident that may be affecting the steering rack?

Other than that, perhaps check fuses and battery?

Rilot · 16 Aug 2007 at 11:39

It's all straight. Fuses and battery are fine.

Wheel speed sensor is shot as the speedo and TC which take a feed from it are not working at the moment. Wondering if this could be the root of the issue.

Ex-RoNiN · 16 Aug 2007 at 11:45

Rilot said:
It's all straight. Fuses and battery are fine.

Wheel speed sensor is shot as the speedo and TC which take a feed from it are not working at the moment. Wondering if this could be the root of the issue.

Here's the VSS:

1. Shift linkage
2. Starter Motor
3. Bellhousing
4. Gearbox
5. Gear Selector Mechanism
6. Offside Intermediate Driveshaft

Thanks to Jamie Duff from the Cougar forums

The VSS costs around £65.

Phil W · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:10

Sounds to me like excuses to see you

bobert50 · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:12

Phil W said:
Sounds to me like excuses to see you

Seconded!

Scania · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:13

Phil W said:
Sounds to me like excuses to see you

I thought that apart from this bit...

Rilot said:
Unfortunately, she is now scared of the car and won't even drive it with me in it.

Hmm....

liam72uk · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:20

Sounds like the busa idea is going to go out of the window!

bigchez · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:28

who cares, its the ex? leave her to fix it.

Scania · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:29

bigchez said:
who cares, its the ex? leave her to fix it.

I'd need a picture before making that sort of decision.

dynabol · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:54

Rilot said:
It's all straight. Fuses and battery are fine.

Wheel speed sensor is shot as the speedo and TC which take a feed from it are not working at the moment. Wondering if this could be the root of the issue.

It's this, I can pretty much guarantee it. The exact same happened on my Mondeo V6; as soon as I had the VSS changed, everything was fine

willd58 · 16 Aug 2007 at 19:56

bigchez said:
who cares, its the ex? leave her to fix it.

Bingo, shes the ex for a reason, if your no longer sleeping with her, not your problem

Fido McNasty · 17 Aug 2007 at 23:14

Walk away

Clarkey · 17 Aug 2007 at 23:29

dynabol said:
It's this, I can pretty much guarantee it. The exact same happened on my Mondeo V6; as soon as I had the VSS changed, everything was fine

yes it seems highly likely. I don't know about mondeo's but on 300z's if the speed sensor is fubar, the PAS will give you full assist for about 2 minutes after starting up and then switch to min assist until you shut off and restart.

Rilot · 18 Aug 2007 at 10:57

Cool. She's picking up an new VSS now.

What a horrible place to mount the thing. Right on the back of the 'box. Yeah, it's fubar. The little platic jobbie that locates in to the place where the mechanical drive would have gone is broken.

It's a horrible car to work on. No space and that V6 looks like it's been just dropped in to the engine bay with no real care.

And I agree. I have no idea why I'm spending my saturday laying on my back under a car that is owned by my ex. Glutton for punishment I guess.

dynabol · 18 Aug 2007 at 16:10

Rilot said:
Cool. She's picking up an new VSS now.

What a horrible place to mount the thing. Right on the back of the 'box. Yeah, it's fubar. The little platic jobbie that locates in to the place where the mechanical drive would have gone is broken.

It's a horrible car to work on. No space and that V6 looks like it's been just dropped in to the engine bay with no real care.

And I agree. I have no idea why I'm spending my saturday laying on my back under a car that is owned by my ex. Glutton for punishment I guess.

I was lucky enough to get the chap at my local garage to swap it out for me. I had the Mondeo up on axle stands to try and do it myself, but just couldn't get enough leverage. Needed super small, yet super strong hands to do it haha