1997 trans issues

[Elton]

Sitting at stop and idling, the engine sometimes misses and bucks slightly without moving. Then upon accelerating, the first gear shudders a bit then goes into second . Sometimes it shifts perfect with no shudder or stumbling and sometimes even idles perfect. If I baby the accelerator I can move it into second and the remainder of the gears shift perfect. I just replaced the plugs and wires (they were original) and did a trans fluid and filter change. I dread the thot of transmission failure (Ford dealership is$1700 plus labor). Does anyone think it might be engine or O2 sensor related? It is more of a headache and bother at this point, but I would like to get it fixed.

[v8_dave]

Hmmm....so its intermittant so it cant be a clogged cat. Does it have a CEL light on, maybe you can try to have any codes pulled free at autozone incase there is any not lighting the CEL.

Well, put it in 2 and start it and see if it shifts fine. I think 2 is actually 2, not just 1 and 2. But Im not sure on the Conti without trying it.

I would also clean the MAF.

It doesnt sound like a vac leak, but to check, just unplug the MAF and see if it drives better.

And why do you have strutmaster on the front? '97's only had rear air suspension, there is no need to replace the factory coils with made in China ones. :confused:

[ContiDave]

You stated that the engine bucks without moving. Is that when you apply the gas? I just wasn't sure if you are idling and then applying the gas or just sitting there with the brake applied.

As to the trans there is just no easy fix. A reman or rebuilt is in all our futures if we keep these 95-99 vintage contis. Mine started slipping and shuddering around 110 and now I have 180 on it. So you can baby it for at least 70. My goal is to try and find a used tranny with less than 100 on it in the $300 to $500 range and just stick in the corner of my garage. Problem is--from my research only a 95 with a center shift will work in my car. Makes searching a little more challenging.

PS--I think 95-97s had air springs in all four corners.

[v8_dave]

PS--I think 95-97s had air springs in all four corners.

I got a 97! Its factory coils up front baby!:D

Glad to see you can baby it for another 70K when it starts slipping. Phew!

[pro-five-oh]

What spark plugs did you install? If they weren't the factory spec Autolites, that could very well be your problem. These motors are finicky.

[Elton]

Thanks for the quick replies. . Here is what I have learned from driving it this week:

Starting the car in Park = smooth idle
placing the gear in first before accelerating = sometimes will buck and shudder before applying gas
At first acceleration = sometimes a severe shudder after which I let up off the gas real fast and pump the accelerator slightly. Other times it may not shudder at all and just go right into second gear smoothly. All other gears shift and boy does this engine have the horses!!

I had the plugs and wires changed last month. . I bought the wires from Ford and the plugs are OEM.

I will check the MAF and the OBD2 scans. The car has never stalled out and once it gets out of the early RPM's it takes on a whole different personality. .(yikes)

(When I bought the car, a front spring was broken. Strutmasters is not far from me, so I had them put on front Strut/Spring units to replace what was on it. The rear still has the air lift.)

[aristo1963]

sounds as if the torque convertor might be suspect.

[v8_dave]

Very odd, I wa thinking TC before I saw aristo said it too but that doesnt mean I know anything.:confused:

[Slick_Black_Lincoln]

I have the same problem with my '97 Conti, 107k miles. In addition to the symptoms you mention, I get a slight shudder when tipping into the throttle after the car is moving at any speed or gear... Have you figured out if it is the TC, or something else? If it is the TC, are we better off with a new trans or is it reasonably "fixable"? Thanks for the help!

[aristo1963]

a finicky tc can sometimes be set right by a tranny flush and filter change,but be warned if the service wasnt done before it can speed up tranny failure (the new fluid is so slick the clutches cant grab and get burned out)also a very trusted friend of mine at our l/m dealer who loves these conti's tells me it is safe to use mercon v in the older ones.i use it now and have zero problems,but again use at your own risk.

[Slick_Black_Lincoln]

Today after work:
- Started the engine, idle was fine, let it idle for about 10sec.
- Put trans into "D" with foot on brake, car bucked/shook/surged 3 times and engine stalled.
- I swore
- Started engine again, put into "D", small surges, but no stalling.
- Drove away, but it seemed to hesitate/shake a little bit.
- Got home, drove car again 2 hrs later and it was fine.

No check engine light to date. I checked the PCM for codes, nothing.

Trans dip stick showed fluid is way too high, by 2-3 inches. Also, fluid on stick was bubbly. Fluid is dark red and was last changed at 65k, 107k now - probably pushing it a bit... Coolant level is ok.

I will do the trans fluid flush with Mercon V and see what happens.

Thanks for helping out! These forums are great. ;)

[v8_dave]

Good luck, sounds like your on the right track. Check the fluid hot/warm idling in park of course. Could still be TPS, easy to check, check out the TPS thread in the 90-97 Town Car section.