1999 Continental transmission diagnosis question.

I bought my 99 Conti last year with 69,000 miles. Wasn't sure if the tranny had ever been serviced so I finally got it in at 82,000. I like this transmission shop and have used them before but I would like to get a second opinion mainly because my wife asked me to, you know how women can be! The manager at the shop said that there are no leaks and the fluid level was fine. He said that they could see that the fluid has started to look more like varnish and less like tranny fluid. They ran all the tests and scanned what ever they could scan and he said that all readings say that the tranny is performing like the manufacturer said it should. The vehicle drives perfect, no symptoms of problems, I just wanted to try and prempt any trouble if possible. Given the condition of the fluid the manager suggested not changing the fluid because once we do it will most likely begin cleaning like it's supposed to and it might very well cause problems. He suggested just driving it until we start to see symptoms and it breaks all together. He said to just check the fluid level periodically and top off if needed. That small amount of fluid should not cause any problems.
He did not want to charge me for the diagnosis. I'm 50 and my experience tells me he's on the level otherwise he would have tried to convince me that something was wrong and needed immediate attention.

My question for all of you is, is it common for a fluid change at this mileage to cause problems with a front wheel drive Continental? Does this make sense?

One other interesting piece of information, I have a 97 Trooper that I had the transmission fluid changed at about this mileage and guess what? It's sitting in my garage with a dead transmission. It started slipping and just got worse. :grinyes:

Thanks
BBusbee

My question for all of you is, is it common for a fluid change at this mileage to cause problems with a front wheel drive Continental? Does this make sense?


Yep, all that does make sense. What I normally recommend if you're intent on changing the fluid is: Change one quart occasionally, like 3 months intervals, then after a 18 months or so, see where you're at.. you'll want to change the filter as soon as you feel comfortable.

Use only the best quality fluids.

1999 Lincoln horns goes off from alarm day or night without anyone touching it. Dealer (stealer) said it was tied to ignition and could not be disconnected. How can I shut it off. Leaving door unlocked to keep horn from sounding????

1999 Lincoln horn sounds when alarm set but car not touched.
Goes off randomly without cause. Leaving door unlocked to keep horn from sounding?

Hello James.. Welcome to the Forums.

Normally we start a new subject in a new thread.. you get more attention that way and the threads stay on subject..

No biggie.. The three main causes for Intermittent Alarm are:

Stuck Door Switch
Dirty/sticky Hood Switch
Trunk Lock Switch mis-aligned (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=890200)

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/9825/wflaged5.gif