Yet another 2000 LS transmission problem

[BlindedRU2]

I've read through quite a few posts on here dealing with transmission problems on their LS. This post is no different. I have a 2000 LS V8 with 70,000 miles. Recently, when shifting from 4th to 5th gear, it has started hesitating and jerking. It's like it can't make up its mind which gear it wants to be in. I can avoid this for the most part by not giving it very much gas...babying it basically, but what a hassle....especially if I'm going up a hill or have cars behind me that would like to get the speed limit quicker. Also, it seems to be OK for the most part when I'm shifting it manually. It feels a little "mushy?" in 3rd gear, but it's not bad.

My warranty is over, so it's gonna be out-of-pocket to fix. I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping someone here who has been through this can answer:
1 - how much did it cost to have it fixed through Lincoln?
2 - how long can I expect it to drive like this before it strands me on the side of the road?

Thanks,
Kenny

[Reneelb]

Originally Posted by BlindedRU2

I've read through quite a few posts on here dealing with transmission problems on their LS. This post is no different. I have a 2000 LS V8 with 70,000 miles. Recently, when shifting from 4th to 5th gear, it has started hesitating and jerking. It's like it can't make up its mind which gear it wants to be in. I can avoid this for the most part by not giving it very much gas...babying it basically, but what a hassle....especially if I'm going up a hill or have cars behind me that would like to get the speed limit quicker. Also, it seems to be OK for the most part when I'm shifting it manually. It feels a little "mushy?" in 3rd gear, but it's not bad.

My warranty is over, so it's gonna be out-of-pocket to fix. I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping someone here who has been through this can answer:
1 - how much did it cost to have it fixed through Lincoln?
2 - how long can I expect it to drive like this before it strands me on the side of the road?

Thanks,
Kenny

hb'k

[Reneelb]

Originally Posted by Reneelb

hb'k

Sorry about the previous post! Anyways, my friend baught a 2001 LS from a local kia dealer. On her test drive she noticed some slipping of the trans., told the dealer but it said it had to do with the low profile tires they put on the car. So, she ended up buying the car, but not 4 days later on a drive home from a trip her check tansmission came on. she was irrate! Long story short, she took it in June 4th and still hasn't gotten it back. They completely rebuilt the transmission, several times, and when it was done the dealer felt it sill wasn't right so they sent it back and just recently had the solonoid and whole electrical/computer replaced. Luckily she has a warrenty, which was extended b/c she hasn't even been driving the car. They also covered her 1st month's payment. I feel bad though if this is what you're in store for. Her and I both feel it would've saved time and money to just put a new transmission in and not mess with "tweeking" a rebuilt one which took an entire month, which then had to be taken back, tweeked some more and the electrical system and solonoid replaced! I say try for the 3yr/36,000 warrenty. Sounds like these cars have a reputation for bad trannys, so getting a warrenty would halp a bit.

[Reneelb]

Also, I've seen anywhere from $1500 for a rebuild to near $4000 for a new transmission. I'm no car expert so these may be off but I wouldn't push the issue. My friend's transmission went from "good" to "real bad" in a matter of 30 minutes on her drive home. She had to leave it @ the dealer b/c it got so bad! Hope this helps and good luck!

[CGGorman]

Approach the selling dealer (assuming it was an FLM dealer) to replace the tranny under an AWA (after warranty adjustment). Most dealers allow 2 AWAs within the 75k mark. Shop around and see if you can find a friendly dealer.

One way or the other, you're in for a long road.

My replacement was a re-man and took about a month for the whole process. It was under my extended warranty, but I think the cost for the re-man unit was about 2,400...

[ttbit]

Originally Posted by BlindedRU2

Recently, when shifting from 4th to 5th gear, it has started hesitating and jerking.

I have seen this complaint (my car was included) many times for this where it wasn't the transmission but a bad ignition coil. Be sure to check your plug wells for oil and check your coils. You don't HAVE to have oil in your plug wells for the coils to be bad, but the oil in there will cause your boots to go bad and possibly the coils. A weak coil will show up under heavier loads at lower rpm. Most people notice it around 40mph where the torque converter locks up.

Here's hoping it's not your transmission!

Be sure to post back your findings. It would be nice to add you to the coil failure list instead of the transmission list.

[dodge4Life]

Transmission problems, specifically the valve body.
At 2500 miles the trans light came on and the dealer told me dont drive the car. When my mom asked for a loaner car, she recieved a snide remark from one of the service guys. I had to go and take care of that. They evenually told me it was the valve body and 45 days later I got the car back.
Three days after I drove the car to NJ and felt a slight bucking between gears. After returning from a 30 mile trip and was back on the street, I felt like I was on a bucking Bronco. The car went back. Again, A fight ensued about a loaner car.
Two weeks later, I got the car back. A short time later I had the car on my lift in my garage and noticed a drip from the tranny plug. The car went back and I was told, "ITS ONLY A LITTLE LEAK" ARGGGHHHHHHHHHH. They say they cahnged the plug but they failed to realize I marked it and they only tightened it, now it leaks more.
The arbitraitor says they will take my case under the Lemon Law and if I win I WANT MY MONEY BACK
NEVER WILL I BY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. Gonna stick to my DODGE'S
General comments?
Would never buy another Lincoln or buy anything from Dana Lincoln Mercury again.
!!!!!!I will post this everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CGGorman]

I once got an undercooked burger from McDonalds. I'll never eat there again.

I caught my kid in a lie once. He'll never have my trust again...evar.

I love it when people speak and think in extremes. We need more extremists!

[dodge4Life]

What can I tell ya. With all the cars I have owned, this is the most trouble I have had.
If you got the undercooked burger, sent it back twice and was still undercooked, would you go back????
As far as the kid lying thing, I think THATS extreme to use as a comparison in this situation.

[CGGorman]

If I returned the "burger" twice and didn't get satisfaction, I wouldn't blame "Ronald McDonald".

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[dodge4Life]

Well, with "RONALD" being the father of the company and in charge of quality control, Yes I would blame him and or complain which I have done.
As for all the complaints with transmissions with this car, Ford should have something in place to take care of this. The company is aware of the problem but does not want to deal with a full out recall. Fine, and understandable. That costs millions. However, the dealership i bought mine from flat out sucks. The double talk they try to feed me is a load of crap. Then the nasty attitude they gave my mom was totally unacceptable. I bought that car for my dad with cash. Then to have a problem at 2500 Mi. NO WAY!!!! Then after writing to FORD " RONALD", the response was less than satisfying. I could handle it if they took care of the problem without a hassle. I dont know about you, but im not a glutton for punishment. If that makes me an extremist, F&^% it.
The one thing that did satisfy me was to see the service manager get bounced from his spot for being a flat out liar. I was a gentleman with him but after lying to my face and catching him red handed. Now he can deal with the pay cut.
Aside from being a moderator on this board, are you a FORD employee???

[CGGorman]

Not a mod on this board. Not a Ford Employee. In fact, I'm not even a Union employee and I work in the air conditioning industry... Pretty far removed from from having a vested interest in this issue.

I agree that Ford should've stepped up and made some across-the-board accomodation for owners with the older 5R55N transmission ('00-'02 LS's), but like you, I can see the reasoning why they haven't. The car is too far below the radar to matter from a corporate view. Shame is, they are isolating and running off their future and they are apparently blind to it.

Anyway, Ford doesn't own the dealerships. They are not even technically "franchises". They are just hand-shake partners. This is why service and prices can vary so dramatically from one dealership to another and also why you see Dodge/Subaru/Audi/Cadillac/Porsche "super-dealers"

Finding a "good" dealer and learning how to get what you want out of them is an invaluable skill to sucessfully navigate the modern domestic car market.

I am sorry for your troubles, but keep in mind that I've got an '00 LS with 108,000 miles and have had my own share of problems. Yes, my transmission has been replaced. Yes, my window regulators have failed. Yes, I have some rattles. Yes, I've had extensive heated conversations with my service writer and manager. Yes, I've had extended stays inthe service bay...to the tune of 5 consecutive weeks for one problem alone. I also currently own five vehicles: A Mercury, A Lincoln, A Dodge, and Two Chevrolets. They ALL have their own unique issues and if I flew off the handle and said that I'd never buy another product from their respective manufacturers, I'd be relegated to buying an Import...which would ALSO have its own set of issues.

ANY mechanical thing as complex as an automobile is bound to have multiple failure modes. Some will be more irritating than others, but there is no escaping the reality that they WILL break. To avoid the consistently disappointing performance of all dealerships I've encountered, I do most repair work myself.

After buying multiple Sony products across multiple years and products platforms, I've determined that they do not meet my criteria for durability. I no longer buy Sony products. The similarity with your Lincoln issue is obvious. However, I gave Sony at least five chances over a span of ten years to improve their products before finally giving up on them. I never had those recurring issues with ANY of the others brands I used...Panasonic, Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha, TEAC, Soundesign, Audiovox, you name it. An occasional failure here and there, sure, but nothing that would indicate a corporate failure or trend.


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