Lincoln LS: Problems & Solutions

clcurrysr

Thanks to this forum I knew right away that my valve covers probably where leaking when I got that burning oil smell from under my hood I just got word from the dealer that the gaskets need to be replaced on my 02 V8.

lincoln072

Is that a problem with V6 engine also or just the V8 ?

How many miles do you have on your 02 ?

How much is the dealer charging or is the car still under warranty?

clcurrysr

I have 27k on my LS and it is under warranty. They are doing the work today and I will have it back to drive home this evening. I have no idea if this is a V8 problem and a V6 problem.

jpl

Hi: Is any one having rough-shifting problems??

Tranny was shifting strange, They (Lincoln) put is some new tranny-pac, now from a dead start, it hesitates, & then kicks in hard & accelarates. Lincoln claims, I have to adjust to it, since now all is computer controlled!!!

Car has 30k miles on it, getting disgusted

          Help, & Thanks

                                 jpl

akirby

It may have to adjust the shift pressures but that should only take a few driving sessions. Could be low fluid.

lincolnlov

Wonder if any of you LSlovers out there have gotten a definative answer from Ford about the service interval for the 5 speed automatics on the LS. I have always changed the fluid and filter on my Mark VII evry two years. No problems with 140,00 plus on it. I note in the owners manual that there are several 4 speed transmissions with a 30 thousand mile service interval. The manual however does not specify a service interval for either of the 5 speed versions.

akirby

The factory recommendation for normal service is never. For severe service it's 30K miles. We've spoken to 2 different Ford tranny engineers. One recommends 100K - 150K and the other recommends 30K. Either way you should use the machine that flushes almost all the fluid - you don't need to drop the pan or change the filter. Basically it depends on your comfort factor and whether you're having problems or not.

lincolnlov

Many thanks (akirby) for the info. regarding transmission fluid changes. The info from the folks at Ford seems about as divergent as can be. Since I've valued your replies to questions from other folks I'd be interested in what fluid change interval you personally use for your own vehicle.

Thanks again, Lincolnlov

akirby

First flush at 30K but I'll probably wait til 90k for the next one unless I'm having problems.

akirby

BTW - the 30K recommendation was simply because it's cheap insurance. No technical reason.

lincolnlov

(akirby)

Thanks for all three of your messages re the transmission fluid change/flush. Believe I'll join you in the 30/90 regimen.

With that settled I wonder if you or others have experienced a small annoyance that I have with my 03 3.9 Sport. When cold, the exhaust smells very rich. The throttle is extremely sensitive and the car wants to accelerate more rapidly than it does when it is warm. This occurs for several minutes after a cold morning start despite the fact that the idle speed has dropped back to normal, 750-800 rpm. Once warm, say 4-6 minutes of driving, things settle down and acceleration returns to normal. Car has just over 5000 miles on it. Any thoughts?

akirby

Don't believe I've heard of that one.

ls in ms

Yep. Just got mine fixed. I've got an 04 V8 with 25K that was shifting really hard about half the time during normal driving. (I could accelerate fast, though, and it would shift smoothly.)

 

Well, I took it to my Lincoln dealer and they put in some kind of transmission fluid additive. The service manager told me that there was some kind of a problem with the transmission fluid in the 04s and that Lincoln told them to try the additive and have the owners put 500 miles on the tranny before checking anything else.

 

The additive made the shifts a lot smoother, but still not quite right. Between 1-2 it would still shift pretty hard and between 3-4 the transmission would disengage from 3rd, the RPMs would jump 500-1000, and then 4th gear would engage.

 

Also, sometimes when I pulled away from a stop, it was like the transmission wasn't engaged at all because my RPMs would shoot way up before going in to 1st. It felt kind of like revving the engine and then dropping the clutch on a manual. Like before, though, it still shifted just fine when I accelerated fast.

 

Anyway... I took it back in yesterday and they said that I had a bad solenoid causing the shifting problems. They replaced it (under warranty) and it's shifting like it should today. I hope you've got the same problem because it seems to be an easy fix.

 

P.S. - Sorry for the length of this post. I'm just new to the board and happy to be able to contribute.

garsarno

Same problem / fix with my '04 LS V6. Within 500 miles from new, started to shift rough. Dealer installed new solenoid, no problems in 4,000 miles. Going in 3/04 for free oil change and the trans additive per recall letter (did change oil to Mobil 1 at 1,000 miles).

toots1

From Toots1, 2001 wont start either pleanty of power. Lincoln says some have a problem. Would not fix under warranty..No more FORDS.

crankey

Thanks to this group for the advice on Hard warm starting. Last summer I had my 03 LS back to the dealer at least 5 times for a hard starting when the car was warm issue. Once it sat for an hour or so it would crank for 20 seconds or so before starting (like it was flodded). The dealer could not figure it out. I posted the prob on this forum and w/in 24 hours had a suggestion on a leaky injector. I took that suggestion to the dealer and that was it. I'm been meaning to say thanks. so Thanks!!

nish1

I got ls 03, V8 3.9, My driver seat is acting up lately. It is switch operated. The seat does not move in back direction (only moves forward), it does not respond when i press switch to move it backwords. Does anyone has idea whats going on !!! Is is something to do with motor. Similar thing happend few day back and got fixed by itself, but then the seat didnt didnt move atall (did not respond to forward or backwords switch) and now it has started again.
Also my driver and passenger seat heat/cool switch trips off in about 5-10 seconds after I turn it on. I have tried pressing all switch combinations, but dosent work.
Guys please advice..
Thanks.
Nish

akirby

Advice? It's broken. Take it back to the dealer.

Could be a bad module.

wesley1der

Just purchased an 00 LS V6 Sport with 55K. Owner has all ways used Mobil 1 synthetic oil. Can I go to regular oil with out any problem?

akirby

Sure. Your car came with 5W-30 from the factory so that's what I'd use.

Personally, I'd stick with Mobil 1. You can get it by the case at Costco for just over $4/qt. Change it every 5K.

wesley1der

Thanks for the advise. The car is in very good conditions. I'm thinking about putting some warranty on it. Would any one recommend a good extended warranty company. Just a powertrain warrenty.

akirby

I don't recommend extended warranties, but if you must get one get the Ford ESP plan. You can get it from any Ford dealer but shop around as the prices can vary.

giveortake

I have the same problem. Just another one of the things wrong with my LS that no dealer ship has been able to fix. This is a throw away car. Drive it until it is out of warranty and then donate it to some organization for a tax loss.

cdnpinhead

that throwaway car reference.

Can't say that I disagree.

There are lots of comparisons going on in this size/price class having to do with "sports sedans." Oddly enough (or not), the LS is never mentioned.

My goal is to get two or three more years out of my LS, after which I can pick up an Infiniti M coming off lease.

whogan

My 2000 Lincoln ls won't start. All the lights work. When I try to turn it over, I hear a clicking sound, the gauges spike. The radio won't come on. Can it possibly the alternator or the ignition coil.?

vswope

that was happening to my passenger side seat. I felt under the seat and there was that had knocked a round axle type devise off of it's track. I just moved it around a little bit until it fell back into place and it's worked fine since then. check under the seat for empty water bottle or something that could have knocked the axle out of place.

akirby

Probably the battery. Try replacing it first and then troubleshoot from there. Especially if it's the original battery. And make sure you get it from the dealer so it has the proper vent tube. They're not terribly expensive.

edge

hello, i have an alpine 6 cd in dash changer in my 2000 lincoln ls, and the buttons for the audio controls will not light up at night. the radio and cd player, as well as the lcd screen work fine, but the buttons wont light up. i know that the ls has a lighting system mode for when something is in use on the audio system, but i dont even get that. any suggestions?

akirby

It's probably the head unit. You can either live with it or monitor eBay for a used unit. My display went out but otherwise the system worked fine (radio wasn't a problem because of the presets but trying to figure out which cd you're on was a pain). I found one on eBay for $53 including shipping and it works fine. Easy to replace.

gabriello

I have a 2000 LS (V8) and I am experiencing the same problem. I have followed this message and was wondering if markxp ever got his issue resolved and what exactly was the cause of the problem?

litt

Hi buddy, Ford suggests using the synthetic blend, 5W-20. I switched back and forth before with other cars I owned. Should be OK.

gabriello

FYI... It was my coils... I ended up taking my LS to Autozone who gives free diagnositcs, but since my check engine light never came on, their tool couldn't read any messages from the cars computer. So I was then forced to take it to the dealership, they put it on their diagnostic machine and it told them that all 8 of my coils misfired at some point. Now, the dealer told me that the Check Engine light should have come on and notified me if any of the coils misfires 3 different times.... BUT!!!! my check engine light NEVER came on. So.... I ended up replacing all 8 engine coils. $100+ a pop plus labor left me in the hole about a grand. Oh but the dealership did tell me that if the check engine light did come on and one of the coils were bad they would recommend changing all of them since on these LS' everytime they replace just one they end up changing them all down the road.

Good luck to you guys

myfaststang

myfaststang

I own a 2004 LS and am looking for users that have had there side impact bags deploy for no apparent reason. The reason I ask I was driving my LS on the freeway around 80 MPH when changing lanes my drivers side impact bags deployed and I never ran over anything on the freeway.

akirby

I've never heard of that happening on a LS.

myfaststang

Well trust me on this one, it did, there is no physical damage to the under side of the car. What I am now understanding that there is a sensor under the car by the drivers seat that could be set off and deploy the air bags by any type of road hazard, rocks, etc that the car can kick up at anytime. I believe this was a problem with the earlier Lincoln Town cars and the fix was to re calibrate the sensors.

akirby

I was in no way suggesting that yours did not deploy, just explaining that this was the first case that I'd heard of and that it was definitely not a common problem.

jimsixt

My 2001 sport has had frequent, but intermittent problems with the remote trunk release and interior lights. About two weeks ago it went to the dealer for the umpteenth time. Big difference is they were able to duplicate the problem. During the course of the fix, I now have a car that won't start and sits in the dealer's stall. They say they have been in touch with Dearborn and are replacing components daily, but still no luck. Has anyone in this group gone through a similar problem?

Love the 5 speed, handling, etc, but the warranty work suggests I'll be joining another list when the warranty runs out next month.

Jim

rwp2000ls

getting error code P0715 which is the TSS (Turbine Shaft Speed) Sensor. I understand that this part is located on top of the trans on the drivers side. Anyone had any experience replacing this part? My car will only drive if I do not go past half throttle. Other wise it wont move. Like in and out of gear. The part retails her for $25 but I was told the trans will have to be at least lowered in the rear to get to it.

Ideas? Options? suggestions?

Thanks,
Roger">
Austin TX

mark39

Today my wife was driving down the highway and the side front passenger air bag deployed. I took it to a dealer and they said that she must have hit something. She said that she didn't and now I am looking at a 1700 repair bill. Also when repairing a problem such as this, do you really have to replace the entire seat cover and pad?

p3ga

My '01 LS has the same problem, I've taken a pin vise & a very small drill bit (like a #56) and drilled a few holes at the bottom of the lens for the water to drain / evaporate, this has helped get the moisture out. Short of monkeying around with new gaskets and the like, I can't think of an easy way to keep the water from entering in the first place.

The pin vise and bits are available at most hobby shops.

Hope this helps,
Phil

p3ga

Just replaced tires on our '01 LS (V8), thought the road noise I was hearing was related to the Pirelli's wearing out.....tread was down to 3/32", right rear down to 2/32".

Now I'm hearing more noise (think of a mild roar) from the rear end, could it be that one of the wheel bearings (or both) are spent? The car has 81,000 miles, no abnormal thumping sounds, wheel shimmy or other tell-tale signs.

If it is bearing related, should they be replaced in pairs?

Thanks in advance.

jrogers3

I have a '03 LS V8 with 38K on it. Recently I had it in to have the rear diff checked for a leak since I was experiencing a gear oil smell after stopping the car. A seal was replaced under warranty.

Since then, I'm not sure if it's related to the work, when driving and going through a dip in the road, something "binds" up. It feels as if the brakes are being applied for a split second. It is very prevelant while on the highway since the dips at high speed tend to exaggerate the sensation of the brake being applied. I still get the problem even with the Advance Trac turned off. Any ideas? Suspension? drive train? U-joint? I left the car with the dealer and of course, they can't make it happen. Now I have to take a mechanic out and show this to him. Please help if anyone has had the phenomenon.

akirby

Could be a wheel bearing. Block the wheels, put it in neutral and jack up one wheel. Turn it and listen - if it's a bearing you should hear it.

riotex

I have a 2000 Lincoln LS with 86K miles on. A while back it started to vibrate between 60-80 MPH. I had the suspension checked. Had the stabilizer replaced due to a bulletin. I purchased the Goodyear RS-A. Had them replaced with the Goodyear LS for a softer ride. I've been told that the LS has a "hard ride" due to the suspension. I also have purchased three used rims. Help. Beautiful car, but ugly ride. I'm seriously considering trading in car. Could it be the struts. Please help!!

akirby

The sport suspension is a bit rougher than normal over irregular surfaces.

Could be the shocks. If you have the sport package you can go to the non-sport shocks for a slightly softer ride. You could also switch to 16" wheels (non-sport).

Could also be the tires. Those goodyears are not the best tires. They rate mid 6's (out of 10) in ride comfort and noise. By comparison the Pilot Sport A/S rates over 8 in both categories. The Avon tech m550 a/s has even better ratings for a lot less $$$ (although the number of miles driven in the surveys is low).

What pressure are you running? Anything over 32 will make it more harsh.

No matter what you do it won't ride like a town car.

riotex

It didn'd do that when I test drove and purchased car. It had Firestone Firehawks when I bought the car, but they had a couple of gashes on the side so I replaced them with new Firehawks, then with Bridgestones. Firestone gave me refund and I went with Goodyear. I've heard it all. It also has the 51 mph drone. Can that be related?(pinion bearing). Do the struts have to be OEM?

akirby

The drone is due to the rear half-shafts and probably isn't related.

You should stick with the OEM struts (shocks) but you have 3 choices: base, sport and european.

Do you have the base or sport package (16" or 17" wheels)?

riotex

I have the 17" sport wheels. They have been balanced out several times.

riotex

Where can I get good struts?