I have a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.
Just the other day I was driving at 30 mph, and between 30 and 40 mph the transmission was shuddering. Driving at higher speeds than 40 mph, I have no problems at all.
About 6 months ago, I had brought my car to an auto shop to have the transmission drained, flushed, and filter replaced. When I got my car home, the trans pan bolts and gasket didnt look like they were touched.
Today I drained the fluid and replaced the filter, only to find that the transmission fluid was as red as ever, and everything was fine on that end.
I read on some police interceptor message boards, that often the spark plugs could cause a shuddering. Is this true?
I'd like to hear some experience opinions on what might be causing this problem.
2006-12-03 05:25:01 · 6 answers · asked by Clark W Griswold 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Change the transmission fluid and filter to MERCON V specification. This means change the fluid in the pan AND torque converter AS WELL AS the fluid cooler and lines. The following is an OLD Ford TSB that addresses the exact issue you describe. Here it is.
FORD: 1992-1997 CROWN VICTORIA
1994-1997 MUSTANG, THUNDERBIRD
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1992-1997 GRAND MARQUIS, TOWN CAR
1993-1997 MARK VIII
1994-1997 COUGAR
This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to add models and applicable service parts.
CALIBRATION:
6-16F-R10, 6-16T-R10, 6-18F-R12, 6-18H-R12, 6-18I-R10, 6-18M-R12, 6-18N-R12, 6-18B-R11, 6-18J-R11, 6-18E-R11, 6-18P-R11, 6-18Q-R11, 6-18S-R11, 7-18B-R10, 7-18F-R10, 7-18H-R10, 7-18M-R10, 7-18N-R10, 7-18J-R10, 7-18E-R10, 7-18P-R10, 7-18Q-R10, 7-18S-R10, 7-18I-R11
WARNING: THIS MODIFICATION IS AUTHORIZED ONLY FOR THE LISTED ENGINE. PERFORMING THIS MODIFICATION ON OTHER ENGINE CALIBRATIONS IS UNAUTHORIZED AND COULD CREATE LIABILITY UNDER APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR LOCAL LAWS.
All prior calibration revision levels to the calibrations listed above are also included in this TSB.
ISSUE:
Vehicles equipped with an AODE or 4R70W transmission (refer to Vehicle Application Chart) may experience a torque converter clutch shudder or vibration. This occurs under light to moderate acceleration above 56 km/h (35 mph) while in 3rd or 4th gear or on 3-4/4-3 shifts. This may be due to temperature related automatic transmission fluid breakdown.
ACTION:
Perform normal diagnostics and refer to the following Service Procedure for required service.
VEHICLE APPLICATION
Model Year Vehicle Equipment
1992-97 Town Car Non-Trailer Tow
1992-97 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis Non-Police, Non-Trailer Tow
1992-94 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis Police, Trailer Tow
1995-97 Town Car/Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis Police, Trailer Tow
1994-97 Mustang
1994-97 Thunderbird/Cougar
1993-97 Mark VIII
NOTE: IF QUESTIONS STILL ARISE AFTER REVIEWING THIS TSB ARTICLE, CALL THE LIVONIA TRANSMISSION HOTLINE AT (800) 821-5046. PLEASE HAVE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN), BUILD DATE, DISTANCE TRAVELLED, AND PAST HISTORY AVAILABLE. HOTLINE HOURS ARE: 7:00AM TO 7:30PM EST.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Perform Steps 1-10 for listed model year vehicles operating in mostly stop-and-go traffic, areas of high ambient temperatures and humidity or the following states:
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Louisiana
Mississippi
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Perform Steps 1-6 and 8-10 for vehicles that are not normally operated in stop-and-go traffic, areas of high ambient temperatures and humidity or the previously listed states. If you have questions regarding the vehicle operating parameters, call the Transmission Hotline.
Perform normal diagnosis and repair of all Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) prior to continuing with the following Steps.
Verify concern. Torque converter shudder occurs during 3rd or 4th gear under light to moderate acceleration. If vibration or shudder occurs only in 1st or 2nd gear, or when brakes are applied, then it is not torque converter shudder.
COMMON VEHICLE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN MISDIAGNOSED AS TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SHUDDER
· Spark plugs - check for cracks, high resistance or broken insulator
· Fuel injector - filter may be plugged
· Plug wires
· Fuel contamination - poor engine performance
· EGR valve - valve may let in too much exhaust gas and cause engine to run lean
· Vacuum leak - engine will not get proper air/fuel (A/F) mixture
· MAP/MAF sensor - improper A/F mixture
· HEGO sensor - too rich/lean A/F mixture
· Fuel pressure - may be too low
· Engine mounts - loose/damaged mounts can cause vibration concerns
· Axle joints - check for vibration
NOTE: RESIDUAL FLUID IN THE SYSTEM (CONVERTER COOLERS AND LINES) WILL CAUSE SHUDDER TO RETURN.
Drain all transmission fluid including the torque converter. Completely drain the cooler and cooler lines. Refer to the appropriate model/year Service Manual, Section 07-01, for more details.
Remove the transmission pan and clean the pan and magnet.
Inspect the transmission gasket and filter. Reuse the pan gasket and filter if they are not damaged.
Reinstall the transmission filter, pan gasket, and pan.
For vehicles operating in mostly stop-and-go traffic, areas of high ambient temperature and humidity or the previously listed states, install a new Transmission Fluid Cooler and Transmission Fluid Cooler Installation Kit (refer to the Transmission Fluid Cooler and Fluid Cooler Installation Kit Application Chart for correct part usage). Refer to the Instruction Sheet included with the installation kit for details.
TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER INSTALLATION KIT APPLICATION
Model Years Part Number
Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis - Base Only 1995-97 F8AZ-7K177-AA
(YO-3)
Town Car - Base Only 1995-97 F8VZ-7K177-AA
(YO-4)
Town Car/Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis - Police and Trailer Tow 1995-97 Kit Not Required
Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis - Base, Police and Trailer Tow 1992-94 F2AZ-7K177-AA
(YO-6)
Town Car - Base Only 1992-94 F2VZ-7K177-AA
(YO-5)
Mustang 1994-97 F4ZZ-7K177-AA
(YO-10)
Thunderbird/Cougar 1994-97 F4SZ-7K177-AA
(YO-11)
Mark VIII 1993-96 F3LZ-7K177-AA
(YO-8)
Mark VIII 1997 F7LZ-7K177-AA
(YO-9)
NOTE: FLUIDS LABELED MERCON®V ARE RECOMMENDED FOR SERVICING 1992 AND BEYOND AODE/4R70W TRANSMISSIONS WHICH ORIGINALLY SPECIFIED MERCON®. SERVICE FLUID RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALL OTHER FORD TRANSMISSIONS AND/OR POWER STEERING REMAINS UNCHANGED.
Refill transmission with the proper amount of Motorcraft MERCON®V (XT-5-QM) or equivalent.
For all 1996-97 Town Car, Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis, Thunderbird/Cougar vehicles, check emissions decal to verify vehicle has the latest calibration. If it does not, reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to the new calibration level using Service Bay Diagnostic System (SBDS) or New Generation Star (NGS) Tester with latest CD-ROM. Refer to the Recalibration Cross Reference Chart for the correct PCM calibration.
Road test vehicle at normal operating temperature to verify repair. If shudder is still present, vehicle may have to be driven up to 80 km (50 miles) for break-in. Torque converter should return to normal operation.
RECALIBRATION CROSS REFERENCE
Application Old Calibration Old Part Number (-12A650-) New Calibration New Part Number (-12A650-)
1996 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
49S/Canada/High Altitude 6-18F-R05/R12 F6AF-AE 6-18F-R12 F6PF-DJA
49S/Canada/High Altitude 6-18H-R05/R12 F6AF-BE 6-18H-R12 F6PF-DKA
Mexico 6-18H-R05/R12 F6AF-KE 6-18H-R12 F6PF-DMA
California 6-18M-R05/R12 F6AF-DE 6-18M-R12 F6PF-DNA
California 6-18N-R05/R12 F6AF-EE 6-18N-R12 F6PF-DPA
Police 6-18I-R10 F6AF-CF 6-18I-R12 F6PF-DLA
1997 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
49S/Canada/High Altitude 7-18F-R10 F7AF-BE 7-18F-R11 F7PF-JA
49S/Canada/High Altitude 7-18H-R10 F7AF-CE 7-18H-R11 F7PF-KA
Mexico 7-18H-R10 F7AF-DE 7-18H-R11 F7AF-DE
California 7-18M-R10 F7AP-FE 7-18M-R11 F7PF-MA
California 7-18N-R10 F7AP-GE 7-18N-R11 F7PF-NA
Police 7-18I-R11 F7AF-EF 7-18I-R12 F7PF-LA
1996 Town Car
49S/Canada/High Altitude 6-18J-R05/R11 F6VF-BE 6-18J-R11 F6PF-DEA
49S/Canada/Mexico/High Altitude 6-18E-R05/R11 F6VF-AE 6-18E-R11 F6PF-DFA
California 6-18Q-R05/R11 F6VF-CE 6-18Q-R11 F6PF-DGA
California 6-18S-R05/R11 F6VF-DE 6-18S-R11 F6PF-DHA
1997 Town Car
49S/Canada/High Altitude 7-18J-R10 F7VF-AD 7-18J-R11 F7VF-AE
49S/Canada/Mexico/High Altitude 7-18E-R10 F7VF-BD 7-18E-R11 F7VF-BE
California 7-18Q-R10 F7VF-CD 7-18Q-R11 F7VF-CE
California 7-18S-R10 F7VF-DD 7-18S-R11 F7VP-DE
1996 3.8L Thunderbird/Cougar
49S/Canada/Mexico/High Altitude 6-16F-R10 F6SF-AE 6-16F-R10 F6SF-AF
California 6-16T-R10 F6SF-BE 6-16T-R10 F6SF-BF
1997 3.8L Thunderbird/Cougar
49S/Canada/Mexico/High Altitude 6-16F-R10 F6SF-AE 7-16F-R10 F6SF-AF
California 6-16T-R10 F6SF-BE 7-16T-R10 F6SF-BF
1996 4.6L Thunderbird/Cougar
49S/Canada/Mexico/High Altitude 6-18B-R11 F6SF-CD 6-18B-R11 F7SF-AB
California 6-18P-R11 F6SF-DD 6-18P-R11 F7SF-BB
1997 4.6L Thunderbird/Cougar
49S/Canada/Mexico/High Altitude 7-18B-R10 F7SF-AA 7-18B-R11 F7SF-AB
California 7-18P-R10 F7SF-BA 7-18P-R11 F7SF-BB
NOTE: PCM REPLACEMENT IS NOT AUTHORIZED BY THIS TSB. REFER TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL/EMISSIONS DIAGNOSIS (PC/ED) SERVICE MANUAL FOR APPROPRIATE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES IF PCM HARDWARE CONCERNS EXIST.
Obtain an Authorized Modifications Decal (STAT 5941-2 - obtainable through the PDC) and list the date, dealer number, and summary of modifications performed. Select a prominent place adjacent to the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal suitable for installing the Authorized Modifications Decal. Clean the area, install the decal, and cover it with a clear plastic decal shield.
AUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS
MODIFICATION AUTORISÉE
THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE:
LES MODIFICATIONS SUIVANTES ONT ÉTÉ APPORTÉES:
Reprogrammed Powertrain Control Module (PCM) per TSB 98-8-7
THESE MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED, AS APPROPRIATE, BY EPA.
CES MODIFICATIONS ONT ÉTÉ APPROUVÉES, TELLES QU'APPROPRIÉES, PAR LA EPA.
DEALER NUMBER:------------------------------------------DATE:
CODE DU CONCESSIONNAIRE:
CHANGE AUTHORITY:
AUTORISATION:
FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LIMITED / FORD DU CANADA LIMITÉE
PART NUMBER PART NAME
XT-5-QM Motorcraft MERCON®V Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
F8VZ-7A095-AA Transmission Fluid Cooler (1992-97 Town Car, Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis)
F8AZ-7K177-AA (YO-3) Installation Kit - Transmission Fluid Cooler (1995-97 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis - Base Only)
F8VZ-7K177-AA (YO-4) Installation Kit - Transmission Fluid Cooler (1995-97 Town Car - Base Only)
F2AZ-7K177-AA (YO-6) Installation Kit - Transmission Fluid Cooler (1992-94 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis - Base, Police And Trailer Tow)
F2VZ-7K177-AA (YO-5) Installation Kit - Transmission Fluid Cooler (1992-94 Town Car - Base Only)
F4ZZ-7K177-AA (YO-10) Installation Kit - Transmission Fluid Cooler (1994-97 Mustang)
F4SZ-7K177-AA (YO-11) Installation Kit - Transmission Fluid Cooler (1994-97 Thunderbird/Cougar)
F3LZ-7K177-AA (YO-8) Installation Kit - Transmission Fluid Cooler (1993-96 Mark VIII)
F7LZ-7K177-AA (YO-9) Installation Kit - Transmission Fluid Cooler (1997 Mark VIII)
F8LZ-7A095-AA Transmission Fluid Cooler (1994-97 Mustang, Thunderbird/Cougar, 1993-97 Mark VIII)
F5AZ-3D746-AA (YO-7) Transmission Fluid Cooler (1995-97 Town Car, Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis - Police And Trailer Tow)
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
95-23-4, 96-25-17, 97-10-6, 97-5-11
SUPERSEDES:
98-4-10
WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under The Provisions Of The Basic Warranty Coverage
2006-12-03 05:34:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is not actually an answer, but I have experienced exactly the same thing with my 1994 Grand Marquis Mercury. I thought it was just a transmission problem as well, but the car checks out fine.
I've taken to accelerating like normal, right up until the point the gears are about to shift. I then back off softly on the gas for about a second, then continue to accelerate. It negotiates the gear shift then with no shudder, and there's really no difference in my acceleration as a whole.
I may look further into what is causing this, though I believe it is a inherent issue with many of these types of Ford designs, and I have not heard that it is terribly detrimental, just a little annoying.
2006-12-03 06:01:52 · answer #2 · answered by Elijah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's happening inside your transmission is that there are little spring loaded ball valves that control the direction of fluid flow. The shuddering you feel is the result of one of these valves failing. Thus not fully engaging second or third gear, depending on the tranning type. Unfortuneately, the damage has probably already been done to the gears themselves and you will need a hard parts rebuild. This is much more cost prohibitive than just replacing the transmission.
2006-12-03 05:38:41 · answer #3 · answered by Ricky J. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1997 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
2016-11-10 02:01:06 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-03-08 13:48:13 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
apparently your 2nd gear is out. and have you ever had your tranny fluid drained and refilled anytime before 6 months ago? if not, then you should have never changed it at all and just left it alone. because i have heard of alot of problem from people who have never changed their fluid in their tranny and when they did, all hell broke lose after.
2006-12-03 05:28:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋