Lincoln LS: Problems & Solutions

rtwlk

I have a 2000 LS v8 with 57,000 miles and about 6 months ago I started hearing a bearing noise for the rear of the car, I call the local dealer and they said it might run as high as $1,000.00 to fix, so I took it apart and found the bad bearing and replaced it for $25.00 but I can find anyone that will sell me the single lip seal that should be changed at the same time. Does anyone out there now where I can buy this seal?The dealer said they only sell this as an assembly for $300.00 plus. Help anyone.

mcgee

my problem is half my engine is shot

klausnomi

Have a 2000 LS Manual, purchased new! In the 5 years of ownership have put only 32000 mi. with NO problems! Great Car! until now. It's currently at the dealer, has been since last Tues.(just over 1 week). It seems that it has Blown out 2 spark plugs. Stripped the threads right out! Highly unusual! Thus far they have not been able to give me a reason for this situation, and have quoted me a price of over $1600.00 for the repair. I know the warranty said 4 yrs.or 50,000 mi. but this situation seems a bit extreme for a vehicle with those few miles.
Any suggestions from anyone?

Thanks

cdnpinhead

Why it should cost $1600 to put in a couple of helicoils is beyond me. Spark plug threads are stripped every day of the week (certainly not in so impressive a fashion), & $800/hole is not what is charged to fix it.

mcgee

i was checking to see if found what your problem was my has been at dealer a week now still noy figured out the problem

securitas

hey i'm looking into buying a 2000 lincoln ls it has 89000 miles and i was wondering if the car is to far past its prime also what kinda of problems should i expect and look for when i'm test driving it any response would be appreciated

akirby

It's just hitting middle age! Check the rear windows - the regulators can fail. Check the driver's seat heater - the element tended to break. Check for leaking valve cover gaskets. Those are the major things.

mcgee

i have a 2000 ls with 86000 miles i have a lot of problem with coil pack engine has always had misfire that misfire finally got me now the ford dealership do not know what the problem is now just sitting in the yard waiting on a prayer i would recommend you not buy that model in i had prob;em since i got it :mad:

akirby

You mean they can't diagnose a few bad COPs (coil on plug)? Find a new service department. That's a simple diagnosis and repair.

gkarg

FYI - I had my 2000 LS rear windows replaced a couple of times - no biggie - understand the situation and dealt with it.

Upon the last fix, I tried to make sure that the dealership replaced with the absolute latest version of the regulators and I believe they did.

The other day, I was putting up the passenger side, rear window and it made a strange, but familiar noise. I put it back down and it kinda free wheeled (with the glass staying up and the motor running down.) I decided to order a new regulator without tearing into the door. I should have done that first. I got the part yesterday and opened up the window - only to find that a white plastic plug came out of the window/regulator connection. This plug ties the regulator and hole in the window glass together. I simply replaced the plug, that was sitting on the door reinforcement bar and it was fixed (for now of course - if it came out once - I'm sure it will do so again.)

akirby

I think that's one of the causes of repeat failures - incorrect installation of the new part. It is difficult to get back in properly. Seems like a better design using a cotter pin or something else would be much easier.

And in case people don't already know - you can now get just the regulator part without the motor for around $30. Takes about 1.5 hours for the first repair, 30 minutes for subsequent ones (if that much).

akirby

George - did you replace the part that fits inside the white cylinder? That's what holds it in place and that is what is so hard to get right. If not then it may well come out again.

arbo511

I just bought a 2000 LS v8 automatic and have a question about the side and rearview mirrors. Whenever I play the stereo at high volume or with any amount of bass the side and rear view mirrors vibrate. Has anyone else had this problem and if so is there a fix for it?

akirby

Anything will shake with enough bass. The driver's side view mirror does tend to get loose over time but not the others as far as I know. I don't think there's an easy fix other than replacement.

arbo511

Thanks for the help.

This is troublesome because the mirror vibrates even when the stereo is not all that loud. Once the stereo (lincoln 6 disc) is playing to just less than half of its volume capacity, the vibration begins. I understand mirrors shaking at a high level of bass,but the LS is replacing my 11 year old Accord which never had similar problems with loud music or bass.

If anyone else has an idea for a fix on this let me know...

gkarg

Nope - I just shoved that round cylinder-like piece back in, knowing that it wasn't right. I didn't see the other piece and couldn't feel it down inside the door - so I just put that in and hoped for the best. Oh well. I guess I'll have to check into it again sometime.

rd400

Mine has 86000 miles too, and the problem used to be only when the car had been rained on. I have paid endlessly for this same problem, and the last time at the dealership they wanted to replace the front wiring harness $4700 plus labor! I said no, but now the problem is there all the time, regardless of weather. I love this car except for this. Is there no aftermarket replacement that is better and cheaper?

thanks, regards, mba

rd400

My Lincoln Mercury service department can't fix mine either - they want me to buy a new wiring harness $4700...since I am pretty good with a wrench, is there an aftermarket replacement for these things that lasts, and what is involved in replacing them myself?

regards, mba

akirby

I have no idea, but I wouldn't go aftermarket for something like that. You can get genuine Ford parts from Torrie at fordpartsnetwork.com or Bill Jenkins at www.teamfordlv.com. No affiliation with either one but I've ordered stuff from Bill and know others who have ordered from both and they're both great.

I'd be a little worried about the diagnosis, though. I'd try another dealer first. That's a lot of money to spend replacing something that *might* fix the problem.

donaldm1

02 LS V8. On two recent occasions after driving only a short distance the temp gauge went to the very hot and the message center said "check temp."

After stopping and checking for lost fluid, there wasn't any, restarted and everything waas back to normal. Will take it in Monday, but wonder if anyone has had this problem.

cdnpinhead

A couple of years ago I had the hydraulic cooling fan motor go out, and learned that it had happened to a few others as well. However, it usually took 5 - 10 miles of driving with the A/C on (in Arizona) for the problem to surface, and I could crutch the car along reasonably well if I didn't run the A/C. Shutting the car off, then starting again made no difference. Fairly expensive repair.

With luck, your issue will be something simple like a bad temp sending unit or something. Even if it were just a thermostat, it likely wouldn't go away as soon as the car is restarted.

Good luck.

akirby

Bad engine temp sensor and/or wire. Less likely is a flaky thermostat.

akirby

Forgot - could also be low coolant. If there's a steam pocket in the coolant the temp will jump way up when the steam pocket reaches the temp sensor, then go back down after it encounters coolant again.

durango1

Daughters LS drivers side window dropped inside the door. Took the door panel off and found that one of the window support bars that have the nylon rollers on the broke the one that is closest to the door middle post. Also found the brackets that connect to these plastic brackets that have a metal bracket connected to it in the bottom of the door. In short all in pieces. Also the cable got tangled around the motor and does not look good.
question
1 is there a diagram where i could see how this all went together.
2 where is the best place to get the motor and-
the bar with nylon pulleys
3 does the motor come separate from the cable.
like i said all was in pieces and dont have a good positive idea how this all was assembled.
4 I'm more so interested with a diagram so i can hopefully get the parts and fix for my daughter.

thanks to all who reply

akirby

It's called a regulator and it should be around $30 (without the motor). If you can't get one locally for that price try Bill Jenkins at www.teamfordlv.com. The new one should have directions. Basically the regulator attaches to the door frame with bolts and nuts and attaches to the window with a plastic pin. I did my rear one in about 1.5 hours. I could do it again in about 45 minutes. The front may take slightly longer.

tookalook1

I have a 2000 lincoln ls8 and just found out the engine is toast does any one know where I can buy a new engine or used.they want the same price here to fix as replace which is $10,000 canadian?

lobsenza

How many miles or kilometers? What caused the problem?

durango1

akirby

thanks for the reply does the regulator come with the cable and the plastic clips that connect to the window lifting brackets? There are 2 small metal brackets that clamp to the window which connect to the cable by the 2 plastic connecting blocks that are connected to the cable. By the way you described to me the regulator has the cable connected to it which is connected to the motor is this correct? I hope the person who designed this window setup got fired/retired.

thanks

tookalook1

I have 172,000 km on it and was driving at about 70km/hr when it went.

akirby

That sounds slightly different than the rear window regulator, but yes - the regulator includes everything between the motor and the window itself. Call Bill Jenkins and ask him - he should have a diagram of the part available.

stuz65

I have a 2000 LS-V8, and it has a cylinder 1 misfire. I was told that i need to change the coil pack and should go ahead and change the plug for cylinder 1 while i was so close.. So i was wondering if someone could tell me which is cylinder 1? any help will be greatly appreciated

acepkr

I've noticed a straining noise I believe is coming from the coolant fan after the car is warmed up. The noise increases with increasing speed. I took it to the dealer and they want to replace the Fan and the thermostat and flush the coolant system. At a whoping $1100. Could just flushing the coolant system solve the problem. I 'm not sure if I'm being taken.

acepkr

I noticed that after driving my 2000 LS after a period of time the coolant fan seems to whine as I increase speed. I also noticed a slight increase in the temperature guage.
The Dealer wants to replace the Fan and themostat and do a coolant flush. At about $1100. Is the dealer correct or am I being taken? I have about 84000 miles and its a V6

rjackson1

Hi first i just want to say this is a great site.I am having a really rough shift between 40 and 50 mph depending on rate of acceleration (under heavy acceleration there is no slip) .It is a 01v8 with about 115,000 miles on it,There is about 400 ibs of speakers in the trunk and 20.10 in wheels. Before the mods the problem still exsisted.Tranny fluid changed at 105,000 helped slightly.
ALso the wheel vibrats from about 50-70mph which stops after original wheels are put on but never happend at first when 20'swere put on any suggestions.
I love my 01 ls

rjackson1

My opinion you are being taken.thermostat=10$ @ napa that you should replac very simple proceedure along with a radiator flush depening on mileage.The fan should only be running when vehical is not moving i do belive and i heare mine whining slightly also,i would look into that possible being a relay.

tookalook1

I've been told now that the engines in these cars cars can't be rebuilt only replaced so LS owners beware. :mad:

akirby

They CAN be rebuilt (any engine can be rebuilt). For warranty repairs Ford prefers to use factory new or factory rebuilt engines because they are assembled at the factory using precise tools in a VERY clean environment. I'm sure you can find a dealer or other shop that will rebuild it if you're paying for it.

dcls6

I occasionally get similar, variable whining noise around 1300 rpm in traffic; but can a relay make such a sound??

aerocom21

I have the same problem. Dealer replaced thermostat, flushed and filled. Week latter problem is back. My 2000 LS has had a noise problem since about 37K miles. Dealer said it was hydraulics but ford would not replace. Today dealer quoted me $800 for the fan not including labor. Paid 350 for thermostat flush and fill. I could have done it myself. Thermostat is easy to get too. You have to fill through bleed valve.

01lnclnls

i have an 01 ls v8, it has had starting problems and misfiring problems, and i can't get it fixed. i have had the injectors, plugs, coil covers, and fuel pump replaced. the dealer has told me three times it is fixed, and it has had a the same problem within a week of leaving the dealership. the starting problem has been going on for about a year, the misfire just started occurring in the last month. any ideas what may be wrong with it? any ideas on what can be done about a dealer not fixing the problem again and again? ive already put 1600 into it and am looking at more. :lemon:

acepkr

That's about what I got quoted for the FAN. Did the Thermostat and flush fix the problem, or is the FAN still making noise?

tookalook1

well i've talked to my dealer as well as several other specialty repair shops and they all tell me the same thing that these engines can't be rebuilt. :lemon:

akirby

Either they just didn't want to do it or they're confused by the fact that Ford will not authorize a rebuild for warranty work and will only replace the engine. There are 2 reasons:

1 - they get the engine back for root cause analysis
2 - they assemble the engines in a clean room for better quality control

There's nothing special about the engine that makes it non rebuildable that I can think of..

kcls

Is it common for the LS drivers mirror to vibrate when going over small bumps. I have not noticed this with other cars. It vibrates enough that I can not make out the type of car behind me. Took it to the dealer and they told me nothing wrong. The LS is a 2002. I don't know rather to take it in again or just the way it is with LS.

Thanks

akirby

Yes, at least for the driver's side mirror. No fix other than replacement. FWIW it doesn't seem to get worse - mine's been doing it for years and I just got used to it.

tapasin

My car have same problem and it happened only when I drive on highway 60 mph or above. I thought fan has to work harder because engine speed is increasing. I am really a new guy for car. Dealer told me because the car is taking load. From this, I know technician in my local dealer are not qualified guys. I really hope thermostat and flushing fix the problem. And my car will become a perfect car again. Looking forward more information.

By the way, I want to change lubricant for my car as maintain Do I need to buy Ford brand break fluid, engine coolant, where could I find them? fordpartonline.com does not sell them. :confuse:

akirby

First, I'd use BRAKE fluid. Break fluid sounds like it might actually break something....

You can get Motorcraft (Ford) fluid at your dealer but it's not necessary. You just need to use a good quality fluid that meets or exceeds the specification in your owner's manual.

tapasin

thanks for the information. Is the autozone ia good place to go?

akirby

Autozone or pep boys are ok but you can usually get it cheaper at Target, Kmart or Walmart if they happen to stock what you need.

don1228

About a week ago, I noticed a very loud whine coming from my 2000 LS's engine when I started it up after work (it was fine that morning). Now, I've noticed that the mileage has decreased dramatically.

Any thoughts...