Stiff shifting into gear with gear shifter

[Burgundy LS]

Hi, Here lately I have been experiencing some stifness shifting in and out of gear when using the gear shifter. First thing in the morning is when it is worse and it seems the more you drive it the better it gets. Also, if the weather is warm it doesnt seem to do it. A friend of mine said it might have something to do with my linkage but couldnt elaborate. I am also experiencing some hesitation (maybe misfiring) between 40 & 60 mph. It doesnt seem to do it if I get up to about 60 mph rather quickly instead of gradually. Once I get to 60 mph and set the cruise, no problem. I have no idea where to go from this point. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Steve

[shorod]

Which model year and engine? Any roughness in the engine when idling? If you have the V6, is it automatic or manual transmission?

-Rod

[Burgundy LS]

Hey, It is a 2000 v8 3.9 litre. Yes, sometimes when sitting still it will act like it's going to die but only for a split second, not long at all. It doesn't do it continuously, just sometimes. Thanks for the reply

Steve

[shorod]

Misfiring is certainly possible. The 2000 model year has been known to have issue with leaky spark plug well and valve cover gaskets, which causes the coils to start swimming in oil and lead to a misfire. That topic has been addressed NUMEROUS times on the forum, so if you want more details, I'll let you use the wonderful search feature from the Lincoln LS forum main page.

As for the stiffless shifting out of Park in the morning, I'm not sure I have much to offer on that. Is it the actual movement that's stiff, or it's tough to depress the button to allow you to move the shift lever? If the button is the concern, then you might have a brake pedal interlock that's the issue. The rest of the system is cable actuated. If there is rust in the cable, or the grease is getting stiff, that could explain why it seems worse in the morning. Either the grease is after sitting overnight or condensation allows more rust to form, until you break it loose from use.

-Rod

[Burgundy LS]

Yep, i've been through that whole leaky spark plug thing, among several other problems. But I haven't checked that yet. maybe it's doing it again . I've been running lately 87 & 89 octane instead of 91. Someone told me that the gas is all the same (what was I thinking?) so I tried it. So a friend of mine said that might be the problem. So I have switched back and have yet to see what it does. He also suggested running an octane boost and some fuel injector cleaner through it. What do you think?
As for the shifter, it is stiff trying to go into gear not the button itself.
Thanks, Steve

[shorod]

For some cars, sure, running 87 or 89 octane is fine. However, your LS is a relatively high compression engine, and the sticker in the fuel door says "Premium Unleaded, 91+ octane" for a reason. Yes, that certainly could be part of the reason you are experiencing a misfire-like concern. For now, the proper amount of octane booster and fuel injector cleaner is a wise idea.

Also, on the V8, the coils are pretty easy to remove, so I'd suggest taking the 45 minutes or so to check them as well.

You may want to consider removing the cable from the transmission and see if the effort decreases. Pasted below is the troubleshooting info from the Factory Service Manual.

-Rod

Other Concerns: Shift Lever Efforts High
Possible Component

Reference/Action

251 — ELECTRICAL ROUTINE Powertrain Control System
· PCM, vehicle wiring harnesses, digital TR sensor

· Carry out on-board diagnostic tests. Refer to the Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual for diagnosis and testing of the PCM.

· Go To Pinpoint Test C .

· Repair as required. Clear DTCs, road test and carry out on-board diagnostic test again.

351 — HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL ROUTINE Shift Cable, Digital TR sensor
· Cable system or digital TR sensor damaged, misaligned

· Inspect and repair as required. For shift cable information, refer to Section 307-05 . For digital TR information, refer to this section.

Main Control
· Bolts not tightened to specification

· Tighten to specification.

· Separator plate damaged

· Inspect for damage. If damaged, install a new separator plate.

· Contamination

· Disassemble and clean.

· Valve and springs damaged, misassembled, missing, stuck, or bore damaged

· If damaged or parts are missing, install new main control assembly. If misassembled, reassemble correctly. DO NOT stone, file or sand valves. This removes the anodized finish and can result in further main control or transmission damage.

Case
· Manual control lever assembly damage, manual valve inner lever pin bent, manual valve inner lever damaged, spring rod damaged

· Inspect for damage. If damaged, install a new part.

· Manual valve lever shaft retaining pin damaged

· Inspect for damage. If damaged, repair as necessary.

[nalore1713]

Hey guys..

I started to experience some issue with getting my car into Gear after it has been parked,. It does not matter the time or the length of the car being parked.

I pressed the brakes sever times and no go... The the Button on the Shift knob is really hard to press in., Once I finally get it then it is soft to push it in to move to other gears (i.e Drive or reversed....)

Anyone knows the fix to this?