CAUTION: This info is unofficial and may be out of date, incomplete, inapplicable, or wrong. Use at your own risk. Service & maintenance Sorry...
General Body mechanical Body electrical Instrumentation (Future) Engine (Future) Routine maintenance Parts
VIN & Build Mid-year Changes Tech Svc Bulletins Under the dashpad Tricks (Future) (Future)

Here's something close to a complete list of the Technical Service Bulletins applicable to the 1988 and 1989 Merkur Scorpio. Any gaps probably lie in the early years, affecting the older cars more heavily.

If you do find something interesting here, what should you do next?

  • Well, you can go to a local Ford dealer and sweet-talk your way into the TSB library.
  • You can make a note of the TSB number and then set your browser to the National Highway Transporation Safety Agency's TSB Reports website and follow the directions for more information. (Thanks to Jeffrey Cherin for this priceless info.)
  • Knowing it's a recognized problem, you can post a more informed inquiry to the Merkur Owners mailing list.
  • As a last resort please, you can also e-mail me to see if by chance I have the relevant TSB in my collection. The TSBs are protected by copyright, so I'll be able only to summarize their text.

    In any case, look in this table first. I've organized it according to the major topics and then alphabetically within each topic. By the way, Ford doesn't use the leading zeros in its numbering system. I inserted them to simplify sorting my spreadsheet by TSB number. So if this table mentions (say) TSB 88-05-04, your dealer will know it as TSB 88-5-4.

    The duplicate entries here aren't errors. Ford uses several TSB titles for a given problem in the hope that one of the titles will correspond to the description you're using for the symptom. In some instances the topic shown here may differ from the actual TSB title, as not all are available to me for confirmation.

    At the end of the main TSB table there are two others recently added:

  • Special Service Bulletins. I don't know a lot about these. They seem to address the same kind of information you find in TSBs, but their numbering is different.
  • Manual Revisions. This is undoutedly incomplete, but gradually it will become a central source to check before you follow your manual's procedures.

    Merkur Scorpio Technical Service Bulletins - Sorted by Topic
    Sources: Rapido, my collection, private consultations, and a little judgment
    Body / Wind noise / Water leaks / Trim
    88-15-01ASHTRAY - Front console - Sticks or slow to open
    91-05-01BACKLITE - Defroster - Electric rear window defroster inoperative
    87-20-01BUMPERS AND BODYSIDE MOULDING - Painting procedure
    89-03-01DASH PAD - Cracks in dash pad on vehicles built before 12/1/87
    90-18-01DRIVEABILITY - Summary of driveability TSB's
    89-25-02GLASS - Heated backlite inoperative - Terminal separation from glass or Grid breaks
    93-26-01GLASS - Heated backlite inoperative - Terminal separation from glass or Grid breaks
    89-03-01INSTRUMENT PANEL - Cracks in dash pad on vehicles built before 12/1/87
    87-09-01KEY - Special service replacement - "High security" lock system
    90-04-03LATCH - Liftgate - Rattles and does not fully latch
    91-08-04LATCHES - Door - Reworking malfunctioning latches is unacceptable, as it may affect proper operation
    87-18-03LOCK - Power - Doors - Intermittent/erratic operation on vehicles built before 6/23/87
    87-09-01LOCK SYSTEM - "High security" - Special key replacement and cylinder service
    89-06-03LOCKS - Power - Do not stay in the locked or unlocked position
    89-08-02PAINT - Aftermarket supplier cross-reference list
    88-05-04PAINT - Aftermarket supplier cross-reference list
    87-07-01PAINT - Aftermarket supplier cross-reference list
    87-20-01PAINT - Bumpers and bodyside moulding - Service tips
    89-13-03PAINT - Cosmetic damage from airborn materials
    91-18-01PAINT - Exterior paint repair - Service tips
    94-23-04PAINT - Primed sheet metal - Prep procedure and MSDS information
    87-19-02PAINT - Protective coating - Sags, runs and dull spots
    95-06-01PAINT - Rough texture / Ferrous metal contamination - Acid rain discoloration or etching
    88-08-06RUST - Cosmetic surface rust on chassis components
    88-15-03SAFETY BELTS - Service procedure after accident: Revisions to Technical service bulletins, Shop manuals and Owner guides printed before the 1989 model year
    88-03-05SEAT - Front - Adjustable front thigh bolster support pad sticks out too far
    90-01-03SEATS - Front - Knocking noise or vibration
    90-24-04SEATS - Leak in lumbar pillow - Revised procedure
    88-06-09SHEET METAL - Lower "A" pillar sound deadener - Service tips
    88-12-03SHEET METAL - Oil canning - "Popping" noise from floor pan
    88-15-04SHEET METAL - Theft prevention standard - Parts identification number
    88-10-04TRIM - Exterior - Adhesive-backed bodyside mouldings and nameplates - Service replacement procedure
    88-05-05TRIM - Exterior- Loose and distorted bodyside moulding inserts
    90-18-23TRIM - Interior trim codes - Manual revision
    96-22-01WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - Fog/film
    87-24-05WIPER ARM - Liftgate - Possible damage from automatic car wash on vehicles built before 9/1/87
    88-07-04WIPER BLADES - Frozen at bottom of windshield after freezing rain or snow build-up on vehicles built before 6/01/87
    Transmission / Clutch / Driveshaft / Axle
    89-01-09CLUTCH - Manual transmission - "Clicking" and "crackling" noise from under the instrument panel on vehicles built before 1/01/89
    88-07-13TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Fluid leak - Converter housing to case. NOTE: Also refer to TSB 88-08 update page.
    89-12-05TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Vibration/shake during light acceleration
    87-14-08TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Fuel shut-off occurs before 1-2 shift at wide open throttle
    89-02-12TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Intermediate band - Revised setting procedure on vehicles built after 4/01/88
    90-25-24TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Kickdown solenoid adjustment procedure - Manual revision
    88-07-13TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Leaks fluid at converter housing to case. NOTE: Also refer to TSB 88-08 update page.
    90-25-21TRANSMISSION - Manual - Revised EGR information
    89-21-08TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Momentary loss of engagement in low ambient temperatures
    89-10-09TRANSMISSION - A4LD - No or Delayed forward engagement
    90-25-25TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Overdrive clutch pack specification - Manual revision
    89-10-09TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Revised center support
    90-25-23TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Servo cleaning and inspection - Manual revision
    89-10-09TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Shudder/chatter/slips in reverse
    89-13-11TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Trailer-hitching on long deceleration at high altitude
    90-25-26TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Valve body shuttle ball location revised
    89-12-02TRANSMISSION - Adhesives and sealants - Availability and usage
    87-18-14TRANSMISSION - Automatic or manual - New fluid and usage chart
    95-16-10TRANSMISSION - Fluid - New Rotunda fluid changer - Service tip
    89-01-09TRANSMISSION - Manual - Difficult to shift gears: Self-adjusting clutch controls on vehicles built before 1/01/89
    88-11-08TRANSMISSION - Manual - Hard to shift into first gear and reverse gear
    88-15-04TRANSMISSION - Theft prevention standard - Parts identification number
    96-26-12TRANSMISSION - Torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter / transmission cooling system cleaning procedures - Service tip
    Engine / Fuel / Ignition / Emissions / Cooling system / Exhaust
    90-11-06BATTERY - Energy spikes when arc welding - Disconnect the battery ground cable
    91-10-10BATTERY - Test procedure
    89-08-05BATTERY - Tips for storing battery for long intervals
    91-10-08BATTERY - No crank condition - Low charge
    89-25-06BACKFIRE - 2.9L EFI - After cold start-up
    87-21-09BUCKS AND JERKS - 2.9L EFI - During deceleration or at road speed
    94-10-08COOLANT - Propylene glycol - Ford's position on engine coolants made from propylene glycol
    95-16-06COOLANT - Use of recycled engine coolant - Service tip
    95-18-02COOLANT - Use of recycled engine coolant - Service tip
    93-14-04COOLING SYSTEM - Engine coolant does not reach normal operating temperature - Rough idle
    89-08-06COOLING SYSTEM - Low coolant indicator light comes on
    93-24-08COOLING SYSTEM - New diagnostics for engines that do not reach normal operating temperature
    93-01-10COOLING SYSTEM - Proper fluid concentrations
    90-04-10COOLING SYSTEM - Recycled engine coolant not authorized
    89-19A-01DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS - Summary of TSBs
    88-15-07EEC IV - Engine Emissions Diagnosis Shop Manual - Supplemental service information
    87-19-06EEC IV - Location of processor 2.9L EFI - Shop manual revision
    88-26-06EEC IV - Pressure Feedback Electronic (PFE) EGR transducer sensor - Condensation (water)
    91-07-05EEC IV - Processor damage from arc welding
    88-05-12EEC IV - Reprogrammed after modifying throttle plate on vehicles built before 9/1/87
    88-13-03EEC IV - Static electricity hazard
    87-21-10EEC IV - TFI module and PIP sensor - New diagnostic procedure
    89-14-05EGO SENSORS - Silicone contamination
    93-23-06EGO SENSORS - Silicone contamination
    89-12-02ENGINE - Adhesives and sealants - Availability and usage
    94-10-08ENGINE COOLANT - Propylene glycol - Ford's position on engine coolants made from propylene glycol
    96-16-04ENGINE COOLANT - Propylene glycol - Ford's position on engine coolants made from propylene glycol
    89-18A10ENGINE EMISSIONS DIAGNOSIS MANUALS, VOLUME H: 1987 through 1989 - Pages 14-5 and 14-11 - Key On Engine Off (KOEO) self-test procedure revised
    88-15-04ENGINE - Theft prevention standard - Parts identification number
    93-23-14ENGINES - Gasket surface cleaning procedures
    89-01-12EMISSIONS - MAP sensor applications
    88-01-14EXHAUST - Sulfur smell - 2.9L EFI - Vehicles built before 7/28/07
    92-09-06EXHAUST SYSTEM - Loose catalyst or muffler heat shields
    94-07-10EXHAUST SYSTEM - Loose catalyst or muffler heat shields
    89-14-05EXHAUST SYSTEM - Silicone contamination of Exhaust Gas Oxygen (EGO) sensors
    91-08-13FUEL - Use of unleaded gasolines to avoid driveability problem
    88-17-11FUEL INJECTORS - Diagnostic and cleaning tips
    89-24-04FUEL SYSTEM - EFI engines - Air By-pass Valve replacement inoperative
    87-23-09FUEL SYSTEM - "Gas-Chek Kit" - Tool modification
    92-25-02GENERAL - Engine repair practices and service tips to avoid potential engine damage
    88-24-05HARD COLD START - Improper idle "hard stop" adjustment
    88-24-06HARD COLD START - Sludge in throttle body
    89-16-05HARD COLD START - Sludge in throttle body
    88-20-09HARD START - All EEC-IV with TFI
    89-25-06HESITATION - 2.9L - EFI - During acceleration from idle after cold start-up
    88-24-05HESITATION - During acceleration - Improper idle "hard stop" adjustment
    88-24-06HESITATION - During acceleration - Sludge in throttle body
    89-16-05HESITATION - During acceleration - Sludge in throttle body
    93-24-08HESITATION/STALL - During acceleration or deceleration
    88-26-07IDLE - Rough - 2.9 EFI - Engines with less than 500 miles
    93-14-04IDLE - Rough - Engine coolant does not reach normal operating temperature
    93-24-08IDLE - Rough - Engine coolant does not reach normal operating temperature
    89-24-04IDLE - Rough - Replacement Air By-pass Valve inoperative
    88-05-12IDLE ROLL - 2.9L EFI - Throttle plate modification and EEC IV processor on vehicles built before 9/1/87
    89-15-03INJECTOR TESTER/CLEANER - Rotunda model 113-00001 - Maintenance requirements
    87-22-12LEAKS - Coolant from radiator side tanks
    87-21-09LOSS OF POWER - 2.9L EFI - At road speed
    89-09-10OIL CONSUMPTION - Normal usage - Owner information
    88-03-12OIL FILTER - 2.9L EFI - Dealer Master Parts Catalog correction
    89-25-06STALL - 2.9L EFI - During idle after cold start-up
    88-26-07STALL AT IDLE - 2.9L EFI - Engines with less than 500 miles
    88-24-06STALLS - During deceleration or idle - Sludge in throttle body
    88-24-05STALLS - During idle or deceleration - Improper idle "hard stop" adjustment
    89-16-05STALLS - During idle or deceleration - Sludge in throttle body
    88-05-12SURGE - 2.9L EFI - Throttle plate modification and EEC IV processor on vehicles built before 9/1/87
    87-14-08SURGE/BUCK - 2.9L EFI - Fuel shut-off occurs before 1-2 shift at wide open throttle
    88-05-12THROTTLE PLATE - Throttle plate modification and EEC IV processor on vehicles built before 9/1/87
    89-14-07THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR - Mounting screws hard to remove - Service tip
    Noise / Vibration / Ride / Squeaks / Rattles
    91-14-06NOISE - "Buzz" or "rattle" - Loose catalyst or muffler heat shields
    91-14-06NOISE - "Buzzing" noise during deceleration
    89-01-09NOISE - "Clicking" and "crackling" from self-adjusting clutch controls on vehicles built before 1/01/89
    88-12-03NOISE - "Popping" - Oil canning from floor pan
    88-06-12NOISE - "Squeal" or "grinding" from front disc brakes during application on vehicles built before 3/01/88
    89-19-01NOISE - Squeal, creep, groan, shudder, click from brakes - Recap of earlier TSB articles
    89-12-05VIBRATION - Shake during light acceleration - A4LD service tips
    89-25-04VIBRATION - Steering wheel nibble - Revised front stabilizer bar kit on vehicles built before 3/1/89
    Brakes / Steering / Suspension / Wheels
    88-12-09BRAKES - Antilock - False reading from wheel sensors
    88-12-09BRAKES - Antilock - Front wheel sensor replacement - Service tips
    93-13-03BRAKES - Availability of on-vehicle caliper-mounted brake rotor machining equipment and warranty coverage information
    94-25-02BRAKES - Availability of on-vehicle caliper-mounted brake rotor machining equipment and warranty coverage information
    88-06-12BRAKES - Front disc - "Squeal" or "grinding" noise during application on vehicles built before 3/1/88
    89-19-01BRAKES - Noise - Squeal, creak, groan, shudder, click - Recap of earlier TSB articles
    89-20-01BRAKES - Rear disc - Add pressure-differential value to forestall premature pad wear on vehicles built before 9/1/88
    95-06-02BRAKES - Roughness concern during brake application
    90-11-04BRAKES - Shudder during light brake application
    89-12-02STEERING - Adhesives and sealants - Availability and usage
    92-12-05STEERING - Intermittent increase in steering efforts
    89-25-04STEERING - Steering wheel nibble - Revised front stabilizer bar kit for vehicles built before 3/1/89
    89-25-04SUSPENSION - Front - Revised front stabilizer bar kit for vehicles built before 3/1/89
    90-06-03TIRES - Spare tire replacement availability
    88-06-14WHEEL - Alloy - Hard to remove from hub on vehicles built before 8/1/87
    89-17-03WHEEL - Aluminum - Leaks air
    88-16-08WHEELS - Availability of steel wheels for mounting snow tires
    90-25-22WHEELS - Front - Alignment specifications - Manual revision
    95-06-04WHEELS - Proper lug torque procedures - Service tip
    90-19-09WHEELS - Proper lug torque procedures - Service tip
    Electrical / Climate Control / Instrumentation
    95-05-12AIR CONDITIONING - Adding refrigerant oil - Service tip (for 1990 Scorpio!)
    96-15-05AIR CONDITIONING - Filtering refrigerant after A/C compressor replacement - Service tips
    95-08-01AIR CONDITIONING - Ford approved flushing procedures - Service tip
    95-18-04AIR CONDITIONING - Ford approved flushing procedures - Service tip
    95-22-07AIR CONDITIONING - Identification of non-Ford approved refrigerants
    95-25-03AIR CONDITIONING - Identification of non-Ford approved refrigerants
    88-22-04AIR CONDITIONING - Leaks - Condensate leaks into passenger compartment
    89-25-01AIR CONDITIONING - Odors - A/C & heater odor treatment
    96-15-07AIR CONDITIONING - R-12 to R-134a retrofit kit availability - vehicles with factory-installed A/C only
    96-12-09AIR CONDITIONING - R-12 to R-134a retrofit kit availability - vehicles with factory-installed A/C only
    91-09-07AIR CONDITIONING - Service tips on usage of R-12
    93-23-11AIR CONDITIONING - Use of R-12 refrigerant substitutes - Service tip
    94-14-03AIR CONDITIONING - Use of R-12 refrigerant substitutes - Service tip
    96-17-10AIR CONDITIONING - Use of R-12 refrigerant substitutes - Service tip
    90-22-09AUDIO - Authorized service centers
    88-26-01EATC - Blower motor operates erratically - No service codes.
    90-25-28EATC - ATC Pinpoint Test Connector Number Manual revision
    91-22-06FOG LAMP - Bracket repair - Service tips
    90-20-03FUEL GAUGE - Inaccurate or intermittent function
    89-04-03FUEL GAUGE - Reads less than full when tank is full
    89-15-06FUEL GAUGE - Reads less than full when tank is full - Indicates 3/4 after filling tank - Slow to indicate fuel level in cold weather until car warms up
    93-14-04HEATER/DEFROSTER - Poor heater output - Thermostat stuck open
    93-24-08HEATER/DEFROSTER - Poor heater output - Thermostat stuck open
    90-08-14LIGHTER - Cigar - Socket may short to ground
    89-03-04SPEED CONTROL - Abnormal operation - High ambient temperature
    88-25-07SPEEDOMETER - ODOMETER - Inaccurate calibration
    89-02-07SPEEDOMETER - ODOMETER - Inaccurate calibration
    89-19-05WIRE HARNESS - Availability of terminal and connector service kit
    96-24-06WIRING - Electrical diode identification and service replacements

    Merkur Scorpio Special Service Bulletins
    Source: NHTSA webpage
    The last 6 digits of the number may be the year, month, day of issuance
    BC1160880907AIR CONDITIONER - Evaporator - Water leakage from A/C case may be due to plugged or missing drain-hose check-valves
    BC5945880907SPEEDOMETER - Reads high by 5 - 7% - Replace with new speedometer
    BC0671881029THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR - Should slide onto throttle shaft with just hand pressure - Do not use greater force
    BC2500890427TRANSMISSION - Torque converter - Driveline vibration may be caused by lockup function - Torque converter slipping - Try driving with lockup solenoid disconnected; if this resolves the problem, replace front pump support seal
    BC2722890427PAINT - Code errors on certification label - Codes 00, 05 and 0T are wrong. Correct codes are A0 for Formatisse Blue, A5 for Brabazon, AT for Nautilus grey.
    BC2331890603TRANSMISSION - A4LD - Correction to service manual section 17-01-31 - Low Reverse servo does not have spring
    BC1651890729BRAKES - Antilock function - Loud knocking noise with hard pedal feel - Antilock activation without brake being applied - Caused by wear or improper preload on front wheel bearing, makes wheel sensors send wrong signal - May not illuminate antilock control warning lamp
    BC1992900630EMISSIONS - 1989 Scorpio with manual transmission has no EGR system, but the description on the VECI decal says it has - With a permanent marker, cross out the letters "EGR"on the decal

    Merkur Scorpio Manual Revisions
    Source: NHTSA webpage
    90-25B-21E/VTMTRANSMISSION - A4LD - Information added to show EGR system on automatic transmission only
    BC3210890301Owner'sLIGHTER - Cigar - Correction to owner's manual - Do not exceed 10 amp current draw for plug-in accessories - May create short-circuit from overheating
    90 25B-22ServiceSUSPENSION - WHEEL ALIGNMENT - Revised alignment specifications for front wheels
    90 25B-23ServiceTRANSMISSION - A4LD - Revised Low-Reverse servo cleaning and inspection procedure
    90 25B-24ServiceTRANSMISSION - A4LD - Revised kickdown solenoid adjustment procedure
    90 25B-25ServiceCLUTCH ASSEMBLY - Revised pack specifications
    90 25B-26ServiceTRANSMISSION - A4LD - Revised valve body shuttle ball location
    90 25B-28ServiceAIR CONDITIONER - Electronic climate control module - Revised pin connector numbers on ATC pinpoint test C2

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