I have a 97 mercury tracer that quit on me going down the highway, there were no warning signs it just died. It would crank but not turn over even when we tried to jump it off. We towed it in and the battery posts were corroded so they cleaned them off charged the battery and low and behold it started. Then today it quit again. It was not sounding like it usually did when it was running tho. Now it won't start again and it doesn't crank normally.

You're looking for something like this:

Allstar Performance 6 Blade Fans ALL30102

It's usually located at the very front of the engine in front of the radiator. It is located inside a fan shroud.
Allstar Performance Fan Shrouds ALL30114

The fan circulates fresh air into the radiator and engine to help keep it cool.

WARNING: when the engine is running, the fan is rotating (very quickly!), so you most likely will not be able to see it. It is dangerous, so do not stick your hand or anything else into the area when the engine is running.

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Will the vehicle turn over and not start or is there no power? Do the headlights come on? If the headlights don't come on or come on and are very dim, suspect a charging system problem. Try starting the vehicle with a boost. If it starts, have the charging system/battery tested

check fuel pressur, filter and fuel pump...sounds like it isnt getting fuel

if when holding down the pedal the motor runs like a tractor your motor needs rebuilt

sir .
it is a torque converter problem not a gearbox problem
it contains oil also if it lost no power transfer between engine and gearbox could be th oil sealing of your converter
have a good day

try temputer sensor and then the trottle position sensor

Under your hood you will be looking for a main fuse block. It is a small, fairly accesible block that is about 8" x 4". The box will have tabs on it that have pull or push printed into the plastic. Do as read, and pop cover off. Only problem with the wonderful world of Ford (Mercury is made by Ford) is they never index the location of the fuses and relays. Either way...the relay is under that panel. Without a diagragm you can check by having someone turn the car over to the "start" position and put your hand over the relays until you feel the one that clicks at the time of cranking. Don't let the clicking of the fuel pump relay fool you....that will click when the key is in the "on" position

Have you tried to jump it? Possible bad alternator?

check the starter solenoid ground.

sounds like you have lost over drive. this means your transmission is begining to fail. next you will lose 3rd,or drive. when this happens it will only go to second gear. head strait fo a shop. only a matter of time for a rebuild. no quick fix. sorry,good luck.