10 replies to this topic

[Cool81Z28]

I just got my 1997 Continental. Occaisionally the tranny won't shift from 1st to 2nd. It will rev up to about 3000-3500 rpm and when it doesn't shift I will let off of the gas then it will shift into 2nd. I don't think its any of the hard parts as it only does it sporadically. It can go days at a time without doing it and the shifts are good and solid when its not acting up. The fluid looks good and doesn't smell burnt so I'm guessing its something electrical.

I'm hoping you guys can guide me as to what wires, sensors, or modules to check. Thanks for you help.

[LithiumCobalt]

Hi Cool and welcome,

If the problem is sporadic, it's going to be difficult to diagnose it. The AX4N transmission that these cars have are inherently weak. They are a carryover from the Taurus and the Lincoln has got 8 torquey cylinders as compared to the Taurus' 6. How many miles does the car have on it? When the fluid changed last? I'd have the fluid changed if it's old. If that doesn't solve it, get it diagnosed by a reputable transmission shop. There's really little that an owner can do with these things without the proper computerized equipment short of checking fluid levels/condition and making sure the filter is clean.

[Cool81Z28]

Thanks for the reply. The car has 117k miles. I don't know when the fluid was last changed but it looks clean, clear, and has good color to it. It doesn't smell burnt either. I've had similar issues with other makes and it usually ended up being a speed sensor, control module or something similar. I was hoping to find a diagnostic protocol to follow to figure it out.

It hasn't done it in over a week now. The car was sitting for around nine months before I got. Maybe something was just sticking in there and has loosened up now.

How many miles are these trannies usually good for?

[LithiumCobalt]

If you really want to dig in, I'd suggest finding a factory serivce manual. That will have the diagnostic procedures in detail, but I still doubt you will be able to do much as probably most every diagnostic procedure involves plugging in a proprietary Ford scanner and doing that sort of thing. Things got a lot more complicated when the computer controls started.

Just because the fluid looks good and doesn't smell bad doesn't mean that it's still adequate. I'd say you are due for a flush.

Cars and their respective parts can go indefinitely if they are exquisitely maintained, however, no knowing the history on something and how it was taken care of and treated really does little for giving assurance things will last. The best thing you can do is get the fluid changed and/or get any other driveability problems rectified. Often times, faulty spark plugs/coils that cause slight driveability issues are mistaken for being transmission problems.

[Cool81Z28]

Your probably right about the fluid. It wouldn't hurt just to change it even if the problem doesn't reoccur. I did order a Chilton's manual for it so I'll see what it says. Thanks again.

Edited by Cool81Z28, 04 February 2012 - 11:26 PM.

[Cool81Z28]

Update. I changed the fluid and filter. I can tell a difference. The shifts seem a little quicker and more solid. There were no metal shavings in the pan or filter. Just a little on the magnet. We'll see how she goes.

[LithiumCobalt]

Good luck.

These electronic transmissions can get picky with fluid. It make take a few hundred miles for you to really notice a complete difference, but sounds like you are on the right track.

[Cool81Z28]

The tranny has been having the same issue again lately. It only happens a ccouple times a week. At all other times the car has nice firm shifts. I've also figured out that when it happpens I can turn the car off and on again and the problem goes away which makes me think something is resetting when I do that. Is there a sensor or control module on this transmission that can be causing this. My Chiltons Manual is of little help with this. Thanks.

[tonyking]

Do you get any error message in the information center? I too have intermittent trans woes but mine gives an error and the tach and speedo quit and is sometimes associated with an abs light and I get kicked out of traction control as well. Most times I just reset the system by turning car off on, if I'm close to my destination I live with. An autozone scanner showed code for speed sensor "a".

[tonyking]

Oh yeah it hasn't happened in a few months though. Real sporadic.