Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Ford / Ford Cars / November 2006

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

AODE cry for help.

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
DTECH - 20 Oct 2006 08:27 GMT
I am happy to have found this forum as the info seems to be coming from
knowledgeable people.

I have a 1992 crown vic, it shudders, but not like the 30-50 mph shudder that
is a common problem. It shudders in 1st, 2nd gear but not that much in 3rd
and not in 4th.

It has lost LOADS of power, doesn't down shift into 2nd and engine hardly
responds under up hill load and if engine does respond on up hill, heavy
shuddering occurs along with sporadic clicking sounds as if something is
hitting the TC pan  

Sometimes it doesn't shudder in 1st or 2nd but will come right back after I
come to a stop. When I am parked, I can put it in neutral and the engine
intermittenly lobbs, does the same is drive. In park the engine sounds just
fine and will rev. I can put it in drive and power brake and no shuddering. I
just had some solenoids replaced. Yesterday I put in some Lube Guard and it
got a little better but I don't expect it to last. The tranny fluid is a good
red.

This is my baby, I love this car. If anyone has a good idea as to what it
could be please let me know I would really appreciate it.

DTECH
Tom Adkins - 20 Oct 2006 13:12 GMT
> I am happy to have found this forum as the info seems to be coming from
> knowledgeable people.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> DTECH

 This really sounds like an engine performance problem. How old are the spark plug
wires? These cars will eat a set of cheap (less than about $75) wires in no time. This
will cause a misfire under load. The clicking sounds like "spark knock" commonly
caused by plugged EGR passages, another common problem on early 4.6 engines. A dirty
MAF sensor can cause a severe drop in performance. Although it will often not cause a
misfire, it's easy to clean and costs practically nothing to do. I'm going to go out
on a limb and say that you likely have all 3 problems, considering the age of the vehicle.
 I would suggest a complete tune up (plugs, wires, and filters), clean the MAF
sensor, and check the EGR system for proper operation. Don't use ANY form of Bosch
spark plugs in this motor, they cause all sorts of driveability concerns in the 4.6
engine. Use Motorcraft copper or platinum spark plugs. Check for oil contamination in
the spark plug wells from leaky valve cover seals.
 Because you seem to see a difference in the symptoms between Neutral and Park, have
the TRS (Transmission Range Sensor) tested for proper operation. It is very likely ok
but it is another possibility .
lugnut - 20 Oct 2006 13:15 GMT
>I am happy to have found this forum as the info seems to be coming from
>knowledgeable people.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
>DTECH

Check your universal jopints very carefully.  This may
account for the noise and perceived shudder.  Your loss of
power is more likely related to engine performance.  When
was it last tuned?  They do not require a lot of attention
but, need someone who has a good idea what they are looking
for when they have a problem.  You may want to stop at one
of the auto parts stores that offer free code retrieval to
see if they can read your car and give you the exact fault
code if any.

BTW, you aren't doing yourself or the trans any good by
power braking.  The fact it is smooth when power braking
would suggest the shudder you describe is not in the trans.
If you do power brake, you must be very careful to limit the
duration and not overheat the trans which can happen very
quickly this way.

Lugnut
trainfan1 - 20 Oct 2006 13:24 GMT
> I am happy to have found this forum as the info seems to be coming from
> knowledgeable people.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> DTECH

Change your plug wires.

Rob
DTECH - 21 Oct 2006 02:18 GMT
Thanks for the info, I will go down and change the the spark plug wires out
right now.
The car has, according to the OD 69,000 on it yep 69,000. The reason the
original tranny (cause this one is used) went out is because previos owner's
son did standing burnouts regularly and "blew it". Yes the EGR is clogged on
the car becuase check engine light is on and the last owner said it was EGR.
I have heard many horror stories about replacing it and have put it off.
Engine was tuned up about 9,000 miles ago, meaning O2 sensors, filter, plugs
etc but no spark plug wires. I will take this one step at a time starting
from the cheapest fix: spark plug wires and will be sure to keep you guys up
dated.

Once again thanks for the info, it is probably the best I have recieved since
this problem occured 6 weeks ago.

DTECH

>> I am happy to have found this forum as the info seems to be coming from
>> knowledgeable people.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
>Rob
lugnut - 21 Oct 2006 03:39 GMT
>Thanks for the info, I will go down and change the the spark plug wires out
>right now.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>from the cheapest fix: spark plug wires and will be sure to keep you guys up
>dated.

While you are doing plug wires, remove the throttle body and
clean the EGR ports.  That is what plugs on those engines -
not the EGR valve.  (Different things)  The EGR valve rarely
gives a problem.  The ports and DPFE sensor are a different
story.  They are also bad about fouling MAF sensor which can
usually be cleaned.  There are pics on the net on How-To
clean.  You should also check the vacuum tubes for the PCV
whicle tend to plug or rupture and fail.  Any/all of these
things are minor but can cause major headaches.

Lugnut

>Once again thanks for the info, it is probably the best I have recieved since
>this problem occured 6 weeks ago.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>
>>Rob
DTECH - 22 Oct 2006 09:31 GMT
I replaced the spark plug wires and the shudder is 100% gone, I never had any
idea that spark plug wires under load could give problems. I am so glad I did
this I was looking at spending alot of money on a new tranny or parts.  The
tranny still gives a jerky 2nd gear shift and still won't down shift on a up
hill load and the shifting sometimes feels like the tranny is confused,
switch back and forth on the top and bottom end of 2nd gear gears and varying
speeds. I think the fix as I have read is the Trans Range sensor. But before
I do this is will tend to the MAF sensor and EGR passages in TB
Thanks for the great info this is the best car forum I have found yet.

>>Thanks for the info, I will go down and change the the spark plug wires out
>>right now.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>>>
>>>Rob
lugnut - 22 Oct 2006 15:56 GMT
>I replaced the spark plug wires and the shudder is 100% gone, I never had any
>idea that spark plug wires under load could give problems. I am so glad I did
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>I do this is will tend to the MAF sensor and EGR passages in TB
>Thanks for the great info this is the best car forum I have found yet.

As a rule of thumb, a transmission should be given benefit
of the dout until you are sure the engine is performing as
it should.  Even if the trans has a problem, it is damn hard
to sort it out and determine the exact problem as long as
the engine is not up to par.  Since the PCM in your car
controls the trans, much if not all of your perceived
transmission performance problems may be corrected when you
complete engine related maintenance.  That said, the MLPS or
nuetral switch is commonly found to be the source of erratic
shift problems.  They are relatively cheap and you can
replace it yourself if you have common tools including an
8mm socket or box wrench.  Just follow the instructions that
come with the new one exactly.  It should come with a new
harness connector to prevent future corrosion failure which
is likely the problem with an old one.  Also, to clean your
MAF, you will need a torx bit with a hole up the middlw of
the tip for the security screws that hold it on.  You can
buy a set of 1/4" drive cheap at most parts stores as long
as you can live with a name other than Snap-on.

Lugnut

>>>Thanks for the info, I will go down and change the the spark plug wires out
>>>right now.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>>>>
>>>>Rob
DTECH - 31 Oct 2006 02:36 GMT
I am almost positive that erratic shifting is the MLPS, under slight uphill
load it will go 1,2,3, OD in under 24 MPH. I cleaned the MAP sensor... I
think. It is the sensor in the air filter box, 2 red wires w a red cap? I
want to find out what needs to be cleaned to clean the EGR passages before I
go replacing the EGR which I heard is a nightmare.
Also just for comparison what would you have to pay for a MLPS where you live,
I am in LA and Ford wants $150.00 Auto Zone wants $102.99 I remeber hearing
this part being a lot cheaper. And if there is a website that you would
recommend for this part, good quality, I would appreciate it if you could let
me know.

Thanks for the help
DTECH

>>I replaced the spark plug wires and the shudder is 100% gone, I never had any
>>idea that spark plug wires under load could give problems. I am so glad I did
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>>>>>
>>>>>Rob
lugnut - 31 Oct 2006 15:43 GMT
>I am almost positive that erratic shifting is the MLPS, under slight uphill
>load it will go 1,2,3, OD in under 24 MPH. I cleaned the MAP sensor... I
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>Thanks for the help
>DTECH

I believe what you cleaned in the air cleaner is the charge
air temp sensor.  Tha MAF is in the air tube to the engine
fom the air cleaner.  You will need a Torx bit for the
tamper resistant screw.  You can get a whole set for about
$8 at Autozone or Advance in 1/4" drive.  The MLPS or
nuetral safety switch is at Autozone on the net for about
$23 or Advance for as little as $34.  I would not get the
Wells one at Autozone.  I have had quality trouble with
their products.  The replacement will come with a new
harness adapter.  The switch will work if you do not install
it but, it may again get moisture in it causing it to fail
again.

Lugnut

>>>I replaced the spark plug wires and the shudder is 100% gone, I never had any
>>>idea that spark plug wires under load could give problems. I am so glad I did
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Rob
septicman@peoplepc.com - 31 Oct 2006 17:21 GMT
I have replaced the so-called neutral safety switch, on my 95
Continental and my 95 Town Car, with Motorcraft obtained from my Ford
dealer, with perfect success.  This is an extremely important
component, and now is not the time to try non-OEM brands.

> >I am almost positive that erratic shifting is the MLPS, under slight uphill
> >load it will go 1,2,3, OD in under 24 MPH. I cleaned the MAP sensor... I
[quoted text clipped - 58 lines]
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>Rob
lugnut - 31 Oct 2006 17:41 GMT
>I have replaced the so-called neutral safety switch, on my 95
>Continental and my 95 Town Car, with Motorcraft obtained from my Ford
>dealer, with perfect success.  This is an extremely important
>component, and now is not the time to try non-OEM brands.

That would be a matter of what you are comfortable with.  I
have used several "aftermarket" switches as well as
over-the-counter Ford parts.  I have had good success with
both and all of the aftermarket switches have had the Ford
p/n on them along with an obliterated Ford logo.  With
automobile manufacturing as it is today with most of the
components supplied by vendors all over the world, I have no
idea how you distinguish OEM from the others other than the
location where you purchase it.  I did mention the Wells
brand as being unacceptable to me because of my experiennce
with that brand.  There are other brands like Neihoff and
Standard that have been around for 50 years that I know of
and provide decent quality parts.  If you take your car to a
Ford dealer and they replace the MLPS as they did on my
truck a few years ago, you may find it is also not
necessarily a "Ford" brand.  The dealer also eventually
corrected some brake problems I was having with Bendix brand
pads.  Bendix happens to be one of the oldest and most
reliable parts suppliers to the oem and aftermarket
industry.  I can't write off a part just because of a name
without some other good reason and neither should anyone
else.  That said, my experience tells me some things to
avoid.  If in doubt, I will always default to a known value
such as an OEM part until I learn otherwise.  My experience
on the MLPS is that every one of the originals installed on
my Fords at the factory have failed between 50-100k miles -
not one of the aftermarket replacement switches has failed
other than the Wells products.  YMMV!!

Lugnut

>> >I am almost positive that erratic shifting is the MLPS, under slight uphill
>> >load it will go 1,2,3, OD in under 24 MPH. I cleaned the MAP sensor... I
[quoted text clipped - 58 lines]
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>Rob
DTECH - 15 Nov 2006 02:04 GMT
Well good news. I replaced the MLPS and susequently found a sensor unplugged
just above the MLPS. I don't know if it came out when removing the MLPS but
whatever. I fixed the 2 items and the car is back. It is responsive it down
shifts and it hauls a.s it is friggin awesome. Thanks for the help Lugnut,
each answere you gave was the correct answere. You saved me loads of time and
money.
I also replaced the clip that connect the trans control arm to cable, now
each detent in shift lever movement is distinct instead of just P,R,N, and D,
no 3 or 1.
I fixed my brake light also which was at the incorrectly positioned switch.
Next step, heater core 'cause it is getting cold.

DTECH

>>I have replaced the so-called neutral safety switch, on my 95
>>Continental and my 95 Town Car, with Motorcraft obtained from my Ford
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>>> >>>>>>
>>> >>>>>>Rob
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2009 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.