2nd Oct 2006, 14:53

We have had a similar problem with our 1996 Mercury Villager. We have replaced the TPS twice and our transmission does not go into overdrive, it is like we are in 2nd gear. When it goes from 1st to 2nd it goes to high RPMs then back down, the codes on our van read the TPS still, we are at a loss.

9th Oct 2006, 21:31

Hello all.

I too drive a 97 Villager (84,000 current) and have had problems over the years.

First the passenger door unlock mechanism does not work properly, and has since then affected the driver’s side, no solution to that yet, just accepted it.

Then the speed sensor went, $75 bucks and installed it in 20 min.

Then some of the control panel lights went out, 15 cents a bulb I think, at my local auto store. Gas light is slowly going out so I will have to replace that one.

One of the rear defogger strips burnt out (had to be right in the middle too)

Most Recent Problems:

Transmission is the latest annoyance, when I take off it gets to 2nd gear and then it feels as there is no power and then 2 seconds later it picks up, no jerking, but you can tell there is a problem.

Exhaust leak, not sure if it is coming from the manifold or a hole in the pipe.

Recently while changing the oil, I noticed a bolt missing by the exhaust manifold, which oil has been leaking from a gasket. This could explain my exhaust leak, but I am not convinced yet because all of the EM bolts are there.

The fan motor is racing/skipping on setting 3 and 4; when I want it to come out the front it sounds as though it is pushing it through the de-frost.

Break pedal sticks slightly so it drains the battery if I don’t catch it during the day time (just replaced the batter for the first time last month).

Fuel pump is high pitched (very annoying).

And the front is making a noise on the passenger right, I think the strut and springs need replaced (That’s a fun job).

And last, but not least, I have notice some moisture accumulating on the underside of my floor mats, which indicates I have a seal leaking some where in the rear, allowing water to penetrate in and moisten the floor, again not a good thing.

Now I know what you are thinking, this van is a rust bucket and/or a piece of junk, but I assure you it is not.

If anyone can help out or add to the discussion of any of these problems I would greatly appreciate it, if anyone needs guidance with replacing bulbs or speed sensor, I got the answers.

Thank you,

K. Fish.

4th Mar 2007, 12:54

We bought a '97 Villager new, and it has given us good service ever since. We've got about 180,000 on it now.

We have the model with the 4 captain's chairs and sliding back seat. The sliding back seat has just started sticking a few months ago -- we've had it for almost 10 years, with 3 kids, their friends, and the occasional dog, driving it around town and on road trips.

The rear AC/Heater did die after a couple years, and a mechanic was able to fix that for us.

We also have the problem with the dashboard lights not working, this started after a couple hundred miles. While it was under warranty, we took it to the dealer have that fixed over and over again, and it would work for a day or two then stop working. (1)

Eventually we gave up and I put some after-market blue LEDs on the dash ($10) and they work just fine.

Also, the bottom of the oil pan had filled up with gunk at about 170,000 miles, and that caused low oil pressure and tapping. After the shop cleaned that out, it runs fine.

Over all, it's been a very good vehicle for us!

(1) One day I took it into the dealer, explained that the problem was STILL not fixed, and the head of the service dept said, we know what that is now, and we can fix it for $500. What about the warranty, I asked? Well, it's been out of warranty for two hundred miles, now, he said. He wouldn't change his tune, and so while I liked the Villager overall, I would never buy another car from N*rth Fl*r*d* Lincoln-Mercury (if you're in the region, you can guess the name). Good cars, lousy service from this dealer.

17th Mar 2007, 19:46

I am the owner of a 97 Mercury Villager and have recently experienced a problem not mentioned in the previous entries. My car will from time to time not crank, it turns over fine, but will not crank. When this happens I have noticed that none of my dash lights in the instrument cluster will work (check engine, oil, battery lights). Any ideas what the problem may be? It may crank one time and not the next. Have not had diagnosed yet, but plan to next week, just looking for ideas.

19th Mar 2007, 19:16

Owner of a '95 Villager GS here

Has anybody discovered the solution to the hard 1-2 shift? People said they replaced the TPS sensor, but did that fix the problem? I would like to fix this problem if possible.

2nd Apr 2007, 14:28

1996 villager - 1-2-3 lost power then clicks in good after 1 st mile or so. Scan reads gear ratio problem in 1 three gears - Will TPS change help? Someone email me if the know the answer for sure clean@winnipegcarpetcleaning.com.

Thanks in advance.

20th Apr 2007, 09:41

I bought my 1997 Villager GS about a year ago. 4 months ago when I returned from a trip from Chicago, the car just started shaking and shut off. The mechanic told me that the knock sensor was bad, I also had the timing belt, water pump, and O2 sensor changed. It worked fine for a month, and it started doing the same thing. This time I had the fuel pump changed, but nothing. Now it works for 80 miles and when I'm at a light or stop sing it starts shaking and turns off, and I can't turn it back up until the next day. Has anybody come across a similar problem?

16th Aug 2007, 16:20

Hi, first I have a 1997 Villager V6 and my fan will not turn off, meaning the fan on the radiator.

Any help would be great.

mrbobo316@yahoo.com

30th Aug 2007, 11:03

I have a 97 Mercury Villager as well. Bought it new, it has over 190k kms on it and still running strong! I have that TPS issue that a lot of you have had, but I never bothered fixing it and it's not a major thing.

Yeah the A/C is having problem, but the main thing is that it's running fine with no major issues!