Lincoln LS: Problems & Solutions

ashford1

Thanks for the info. I will probably hold onto it until my next service.

johnsmoke

Our favorite car wash dryers seem to have broken off the connection to the rear window defroster elements on our 2000 LS. This is the black plug-like device at the top of the window. Does that connection supply the voltage to the elements? It appears to have been cemented. Can the connection be recemented? Or is this a job for the Lincoln LS Repair SWAT team?

dwp22

A comparison of the recent problems in the 'problems and solutions' boards. No wonder I love this car.

Lincoln LS - rear defroster connection, spare remote programming, paint oxidized

Acura TL - tire problems, flaws with nav system, rattles, rattles, rattles

Mercedes E class - electrical problems, transmission replaced on 2004 E320

Lexus ES300/330 - transmission problems (405 postings to a special board)

Infiniti G35 - brake wear (pads & rotors), paint chips when washing, 10 recalls on 2003 model

BMW 5 series - irregular tire wear (replace tires every 10,000 miles), rattles, torque lock-up

jimsixt

It appears a gremlin has invaded my '01 LS's interior lighting and remote trunk release circuits. Intermittently, the interior lights do not light when the doors are opened. The same thing occasionally happens with the remote trunk release ( neither button on dash or remote work).
Dealer can not duplicate - the definition of intermittent is that it always works when at dealer. Anyone had a similar problem with successful or unsuccessful fix?

Since they don't make them with 5 speeds anymore, I would really like to resolve this problem before the warranty expires! I've reviewed the shop manual info and finding the problem before it fails altogether looks daunting.

Thanks

Jim

bullet01

My tranny is acting up I have 95k on her and when I get into the throttle heavy it wants to die out. The tranny message lights up on the dash and it doesn't want to shift, almost like it's low on fluid. I can't even figure out where to check the tranny fluid and I've been under the hood of some cars. A dealer told me they de-program these cars tranny's, huh? Can anyone give me some advice. I love this car and really want to keep loving it.

lobsenza

The trans does not have a dipstick because there is nowhere to put it under the hood. There is a proceedure for checking fluid level, but I am not sure what it is. Have you ever changed your trans fluid?

cdnpinhead

and overflow plug on the transmission that can be accessed only from the bottom of the car. When initially released, the concept was that the transmission was a sealed unit good for 100K+ miles. Reality has intruded.

While the book says nothing about it, it's best to have the fluid replaced/flushed at 30K mile itervals using equipment that replaces the fluid while the car is running.

Gotta love them automatics.

markls8

Did you try HOLDING the reset button down until you got the message that the reset was complete? Try that and let us know.
- Brian.

lsport

I have a 2000 LS Sport with approximately 60K miles. Recently, I've begun to hear knocks in the suspension. After 10 or 15 miles of travel, the knocks seemingly go away. I'm thinking that this is probably shocks gone bad--after a sufficient amount of pressure builds, the knocks go away.

Has anyone else experience this problem with their LS. If so (or not) does anyone have recommendations of what shocks I should purchase [stock or after market]. I'm not all that interested in a a ride that's overly firm.

lolaj42

It's very possible that your shocks are worn out and need to be replaced. I'm not aware of any aftermarket shocks that would provide better ride comfort than the stock ones, so I would be inclined to replace them with new ones from the dealer.

Beware, though, it's also likely that the sway bar bushings may also be worn out, as that has been identified as a particularly noisy culprit once worn out, though I doubt it would "go away" after a few miles of driving. It's probably worth looking into next time you bring the LS in for service.

cdnpinhead

that the bushings are heated enough by the engine to expand and quiet down. Even if that's the case, they'll eventually wear enough more that they won't quiet down.

I have about 65K miles on my LS and I'm 95% sure the noise I get when I hit bumps (especially cold, first thing in the morning, come to think of it) is the bushings.

lsport

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to schedule another dealer appointment. I've ask them to look at the suspension once before and they found no problem. I'll ask them to check the shocks and bushings this time.

dharris

I have a 00 LS that has been in and out of the shop since last summer, it was there for almost 2 mo. at one point and it is still not fixed. One thing is the check advance trac indicator lights up under normal driving conditions , and the biggest problem is it acts like it is running out of gas and sometimes the engine dies.( it starts right back up ) At times it runs fine , and then other times it misses and skips the engine seems to "bog" down but the rpm's jumps up and the light's dim . I'm on my 2nd tech and dealership, but they can't seem to find the problem either. The first one said the theft modular was bad and my car thought it was being stolen , he replaced several parts , but it is doing the same thing. The computer say's random misfire. I have a friend with a 00 model that is starting to do the same thing! Anyone else with this problem? What is the solution?

cdnpinhead

they've eliminated the plug coils as a potential cause.

Quite a few people have had that difficulty, often combined with the leaking valve cover gaskets mentioned earlier here.

gkarg

I have noticed for about a year or so that white battery acid had been growing all over the trunk well of my 2000 V6 LS. This past Sunday - I decided to clean it out. I removed the spare wheel,jack and all the other junk I keep in there and was able to get it pretty well neutralized and cleaned with baking soda & water. Bad thing was that it had eaten away the paint where it had collected and so I just let it dry completely and sprayed on some clear coat paint over the bare metal.

If you haven't looked there lately - it might be worth looking...

Is there some kind of tube or whatever that is supposed to channel the venting acid outside of the car?

cdnpinhead

is supposed to be a tube to lead the vent products overboard. That's why the battery must be replaced with one from the dealer, not one from Autozone or Checker that happens to be the "right" size.

Sounds like someone before you took the easy (short term), cheap (ditto) way out.

gkarg

I bought the brand brand new in February of 2000 with 7 miles on the clock (original battery - never touched.) Guess my system isn't venting correctly. I do all my own maintenance - I'll have to check the source of the problem.

christi

I bought a 2004 lincoln ls, it had everything. Chrome accents. A great car. Monday morning a left for work and my car was stolen. I did lock it with alarm set. So much for the alarm system. I liked the car, but it really was awful in snow. The back of the car would slide up hill and moving from stop lights. That is about all now that it is stolen.

lobsenza

Snow tires will really help. In addtion, if you have SST, try starting in 2nd or 3rd. This will help starts in the snow.

lsport

Turned out that the problem was sway bar bushings. Lincoln replace the front bushing at $212. I also replaced the tires with Michelin Pilots (At 62K I'm on the third set). The car drives as if it were new. I'm really happy with the results. It really frustrated me to hear clunking noise at low speeds and worth the money spent.

Now what's a low buck way to get my 4.0L (I'm mean 3.9L) to run a low 14sec quarter mile.

the_necroscope

Tear it out of the LS and throw it in the back of a friend's SVT Lightning!

lslion

My 2001 LS starts hard periodically. That is 50% of the time the car will turn over for a long time before it fires up. The car has 45,700 miles. It's been to LM and had a wiring harness replaced. Car was returned to me where the problem replicated itself. I returned to LM and they had "no problem starting it several times" over the course of a week. They returned it to me and I continue to have the same difficulty. It acts like it needs a tune-up when it doesn't start, but, when the other half of the time it starts right up. Any ideas?

caveman

I have a problem with my 04 LS. After a cold start I get a jarring noise that seems to come from the dash area. At the same time I can feel vibration through the accelerator pedal, This only happens at a low speed--1500 -1700 rpm. The dealer has so far not been able to solve this problem. Anyone got a solution?

cavaeman

ls8

at 75k miles yesterday, the transmission on my 2000LS malfunctioned. Would not engage in reverse or drive 4/5, but would engage in drive 1,2,3. Had it towed to dealership. I know transmissions are issues with these cars. Anyone had or heard of this issue?

grain

2003 Lincoln LS - I have had repeated problems with "ETC - Fail Safe Mode" warning in message center. Engine goes to fail safe mode...no power.
Any answers to this problem out there???

gunnersmate

Is it an auto or manual?

duh never mind i see your nick says it all.

Yeah I have a V6 that has had a horrible time with the tranny.

Let me know if they mention the word solenoid pack.

gunnersmate

Try cleaning the mas airflow sensor. I use a K&N air filter and after I clean it and reinstall in the airbox a few days later the car runs like you know what.

grain

Problem was diagnosed as a bad "pin" in an electrical connection. Everything seems fine now.

johnsmoke

Even with the CD, I couldn't find all the hidden latches to remove enough of the rear of our 2000 LS to replace the high stoplight. It cost $40 at LM to remove the $3.00 bulb. My 528i has a neat little access box that makes the job easy. I got stuck at the side bolsters - where are the releases? And BTW, once you get beneath the glossy facade, the LS is fairly shabby!

cdnpinhead

It's all about driving either around corners or for long periods of time, preferably both.

If you want a decent interior, get an Audi.

the_necroscope

The release for the bolsters is near the inside edge that mates with the rear deck. It's a little white lever and is well tucked. Regardless, you only need to remove the trim from the light. It slides off horizontally toward the front of the car. Easy. Takes five minutes to change the bulb.

npgbagman

Few ?s for you boys,
* What can I use on the black glossy part of the door to get it back to black, instead of the iridium looking madness due to sun or armor all
*How do I program my garage door opener to my visor buttons
*Do any of u guys use AMSOIL, I used it in my Maxima before I parted with it.
* Best snow tires for this ride.I used Blizzaks on the Max

Besides that I just want to say these cars are SICK. I cant believe how nice these cars are overall. I like my cockpit the most, one of the best car seats and ergos as I have driven. What more can I say LS owners are truly blessed in my eyes.
Peace,
BagMan

ntec

My ls has 223,000 kms and it still runs strong and looks great !!

ntec

Mine driver's side heated seat doesn't work I don't know when I'm going to fix it . I've heard some people have had to fix it 2 - 3 times !I have a 2000 linc ls sport.

gunnersmate

In regards to the haze or irradited appearance: I used a product called scratch out. It is sort of a tooth paste for cars; put it on and off by hand and work in small sections.

The middle button is used for setting the home link system in prograamming mode but you will also have to retrieve the instructions for you garage door opener so that it will know to accept new remotes. At least that is how my garage door works

Amsoil is a good question I have held on to for a long time.

I live in florida so i can hlp ya with the snow tires.

1

lsport

My 2000 LS Sport creaks somewhere underneath the car. I first noticed it when entering and existing the car. It doesn't take much weight to make it creak either, as my 4 year old can cause the creak when climbing into his booster seat. The dealership, thought they found it. They indicated that there is a transmission shift linkage (or something) that was rubbing up against an exhaust shield. I was hopeful that they did indeed fix it because it's such an annoyance; But soon after putting 10 miles on the car after picking it up for the dealership, the creak was back. Has any one else experienced his problem?

nstuck

I have a 2000 LS with alpine audiophile radio, My rear deck speakers are not working. I have checked my plugs at the amp, I have one hot wire, should I be able to find a another wire hot when I turn my radio on to power up the amp? I also can not find any wire to power a speaker, the wires I believe to be speaker wires will not make a sound when I hook them to a speaker that have around the house. Any ideas???

the_necroscope

nstuck

Low Level?? do you mean the out put is to low to push a speaker without an amp??

nstuck

I have owned my 2000 LS (45000 miles) for 10 days now, I have had to put 2 coils on it, replace both valve cover gaskets, and all 8 coil/plug boots because they were soaked in oil, my amp is out on my stereo, my Trans. shifts from park to reverse hard first thing in the morning but after I go to drive it will perform ok. Is this the norm for a Ls?? If so I am not sure I can afford to drive one, the warranty ran out On 6-1-04

cdnpinhead

If you have the Audiophile system, there's a low-level input to the amplifier for the subwoofers. The amplifier hangs down into the trunk, so if you've got it, you'll know it. After 2002 (I think), the full-up subwoofers were no longer available, and I guess the rear deck speakers are standard co- or tri-axials.

the_necroscope

Yep. In addition, if you don't have the audiophile (alpine) system, there isn't even a signal at those terminals. I don't have the Alpine, so I pulled a speaker-level signal from the b-pillars to supply my amp and speakers in the trunk.

lobsenza

The subs on the 2002 are redesigned, but are still there.

nstuck

I do have the Audiophile system, I had the dealer diagnose the problem and he said the amp is out. Is there a way to bypass the amp or by an aftermarket one, I did not price buying the amp from them but he did say it would be $350 for them to fix it. one thing I have not tried is checking the ground to the amp, I will do that before I spend any money.

sateen

Is it me or are there others out there that also have this issue of intermittent water leaking into the headlamp? Every time I wash the car, water enters the passenger side's headlamp and it takes FOREVER for the water to evaporate.

Is there a way to remove the water faster and how can I prevent this from happening again in the future? (other than getting another car)

gunnersmate

Sorry to hear about the problems. I have had many of these same issues repeat themselevs with an uncanny frequency. I recommend you get out now or set some money aside for repititious repairs. Look in the main forum you will see I have had the same problems repeat and other have reported these issues fortunately with less frequency. good luck

boydsv

I have a 2 1/2 month old LS that has had this engine problem 7 times. I consider it a safety hazard and took it back to the dealer. We are currntly in negotiations for a new car. Is your LS a V6 or V8? I was told the V8 is the problem child. Mine was a V8. I am currenty negotiating for a V6.

lobsenza

I have a 2002 LS V8 and have had virtually no problems with it. I have 34K miles on it.

the_necroscope

Mine's having it's 5th birthday party in two weeks. Everyone's invited! Only problem has been the cam cover gaskets, which was so minor, that I held off a whole year before tossing it in with a plug change at 80,000 miles.

V8 is good. Tomatoes are bad.

gunnersmate

hey i'll be there if you will let me a turn behind the wheel, Steering that is.