PDA

View Full Version : Lock-up Problem



1stMARAUDER
11-02-2007, 12:55 PM
For those that have followed the VIN/build date thread my MM is, so far, the earliest one. VIN 600045. I purchaced the car from my dad, fellow board member CMALO. The car currently has 82000 miles on it and around 75000 I began to experience lock-up issues. It started locking up in 2nd and wouldn't unlock until downshift or full throttle. Thankfully, the old man had purchased an extended warranty and it has been to the dealer eight times now for this.

The dealer initially went into the trans and found OD was cooked and replaced components as needed. A complete rebuild was not done even though fragments of OD were found in the fluid. Since then the LU solenoid and a check ball have been replaced. The problem persisted. Eventually, the lock-up pin was removed from the tranny and it simply never locked up, so it was decided that the PCM was bad and the PCM was replaced. No dice. This thing is driving me freakin' nuts! I'm running Lidio's 93 octane tune so it should only lock up above 63 in OD. I want to make it clear that I believe this has nothing to do with Lid's tune since it does it with the stock tune/new PCM. Funny thing is, with the stock tune it acts up very consistently. With Lid's tune it is very sporadic and acts up only after driving for a while (25-30 mi). It will suddenly just be locked in 2nd. If I start in 2nd it will lock about 25 mph and it won't unlock until just before full throttle. The other day it stayed locked down to 15 mph and wouldn't unlock on acceleration. Also won't unlock from 3rd or OD.

I've checked through several threads and seen similar issues. Granted these things are programmed goofy, but considering it does this with or without the tune and that it never did this before 75000 tells me something is amiss. I'm currently being avoided by the Ford district service manager as well as Ford Customer Service, so any suggestions are appreciated. TIA.

ts-pa
11-02-2007, 01:57 PM
Contact a member & vendor here named Darrin. (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/member.php?u=3235)
He seems very knowledgeable about the 4r70w trans.

GordonB
11-02-2007, 04:50 PM
1stMARAUDER,
Does Michigan where you live have any Consumer Protection laws for repeated, failed repairs? Since you have the Ford Extended Warranty, I would re-read it closely and file for arbitration in your state. By what you describe, without having Lidio tear down the Tranny, my money is on a bad Tranny, possibly eevn in the valve body or in some crud that sucked up into the torque converter.
I would get one of the other Michigan MMers, incl. MCM (Motor City Marauders), to drive your car and get one of their knowledgable people's assist. I'd say to have Zack take a look at it, but he lives in Chicago.
One final thing you can try -- take your car to a DIFFERENT Ford, L-M dealer and use one of the MCMers Ford dealer recommendations.
Unfortunately, I'm in Wash, DC area. If you were near me, I'd have you take it to Safford L-M.
GordonB

captain
11-03-2007, 09:22 AM
I know little about such things, hey I am the first to plead ignorance. But your story reminds me of a problem I had years ago with my 89 marquis. It was, as I recall, a vacuum leak at the throttle body. apparently the transmission takes orders from there. Rather than fixing it the dealership elected to adjust a small chain to compensate. I remember it worked ok but the leak progressed and eventually we ran out of chain to choke up on.
Good luck