I know this has probably been covered before...but I couldn't find it when I searched. Anyways, when cruising (and not cruising)...the transmission all of the sudden goes out of 4th or 3rd gear. Then it acts like it "hunts" for the next gear...and engages it. It's been happening quite a bit lately..and was wondering if this is normal for the Mark VIII or should I take it in for a look?

Thanks.

Doesn't sound that normal, are you cruising up a hill and it downshifts or are you driving straight and flat? And what gear does it switch to?

---1995 Mark VIII---Hunter Green---
-Dynomax Ultraflow mufflers
-Superchip
-245/50 R16 Tires
-Custom Airbox
-K&N Air Filter
-PIAA Ultrawhite Headlamps
-LSC Wheels

It's occurs when driving straight and flat. It usually shifts out of overdrive into 3rd....and when I hit the accelerator, the RPM's go high..and the gear doesn't engage.

that is exactly what my transmission was doing 6 months before it blew.

it would be worse if it was warm out, and i was in heavy traffic for a while and then went back up to highway speeds.

at that time the dealer did tests on my tranny and found nothing wrong with it. they tested it again two weeks before it blew and said it was definetely going bad, but couldn't fix it under warranty until it was worse.

two weeks later only first and second gear worked, this was enough damage for the dealer to fix it.

on a much lighter note, it could be your spark plug wires. I had the same problem about a year later, and the dealer told me it was from worn out plug wires. I didn't believe him, but I changed them and the problem went away.

For your sake, I hope the solution to your problem is the plug wires.

14.6 @ 97 MPH

I too had this happen. It was just before my tranny died. I would definately have it looked at. The spark plug wires died on mine too, but it was more like a hesitation of gas flow... It felt like I was vapor locking... Like I was VERY low on fuel or something. I too was hesitant to believe that the plug wires would do this but after two MN-12's doing this I'd say its a common problem around 60k.

The tranny thing seems to be common at about 100k.

Mike Gilbert
http://nightsky.home.texas.net/markviii
'93 Mark VIII
black/black

Folks,

I have been puzzled with this same engine vs tranny dilema for the past couple of weeks. I have a '93 with about 75K on it, no records of a previous tune-up. The tranny was rebuilt at 64K due to a broken spring.

Two weeks ago it starts "hesitating", primarily around the 2-3 or 3-4 shifts, or lugging while in 4th (like go up a hill around 50 mph).

I took it to the Lincoln dealer, nothing found. They did a fuel pressure check, but not much else I suspect.

I then suspected the tranny due to the messages here. The tranny was guaranteed from the previous rebuild. This is a small shop in a small town so I expected it to be "over their heads".

I take it to the tranny shop and he drives it. He now thinks it is a bad plug wire. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and having the wires and plugs replaced. He says the tranny torque converter problems feel much stronger than the shudder I felt ( like missing cylinders). He also claims the wire problem is common, and typically occurs with the car warm, in a "lugging" or near lugging condition (about to shift under light throttle). Film at 11!

Chuck in NC

Had the same problem in my 93 last year not too long after a transmission rebuild. Naturally thought it was the transmission again due to the repair and the fact that it really did feel like slipping. The lincoln mechanic went out with me and right away identified it as the wires. I made the change and the problem disappeared. It is certainly worth trying first if they are the original.

Folks,

The tranny guy seems to be right. I picked up the car tonight with a new set of wires and plugs. All is back to normal - except the wallet. No more stutter / hesitation.

Chuck in NC

Chuck,

Just curious, how much were the new plugs and wires? After driving my car over the weekend, I'm wondering if that's my problem. My tranny is still really smooth...and it's so intermittent that I'm almost convinced that my plugs and wires are the culprits. Also, where is the Auto Transmission dip stick? I couldn't find it!
Thanks!

Paul

Passanger side, down behind the right valve cover. You may need a light to find the hole getting it back in. If they only put some hair around it!

Michael______
1993 Mark VIII
Orlando, FL

I was stuck between a rock and hard place. The car was broken, my wife out of town, I had the kids....so I had the trany place replace them. They said the stock replacement wires (probably from the Lincoln dealer) were $180. I paid around $250 for a whole tune up including replacing the plugs. I ususally do these things myself but didn't have the time. I've seem to remember references from this board that any Mustang Cobra 32valve wire set would work. A lot cheaper I bet also. The car is running perfectly now.

The tranny dipstick is in the usual spot, passenger side tucked down near the firewall. You have to look a bit, particularly if it is dark.

Chuck