tranny

[SAAAAAC]

Hey Guys,

I recently put a K&N CAI and a DR tune on my 2003 MM. Some weird stuff is going on with my transmission. I've searched through the forums and I'm not piecing it together really well. I am by no means a car expert and this is my first car that I've ever modified. Paranoid would be a super word to describe how I feel about this whole thing. Anyway, the transmission shifts a lot harder, which I like, but it seems like its getting stuck in gear or something. I came to a complete stop then attempted to drive forward and It wouldn't go then it like BUCKED on me! I wasn't mashing on the pedal either. Just takin er nice and slow. So that scared the crap out of me. Its done that a couple of times. It also seems like I lose a little power on the low end of the second gear at WOT, but that's the least of my worries. Maryland State emissions couldn't read my computer either but I figured that's because I didn't put the car back to stock. Funny thing about that is they passed me anyway and for FREE! They had no idea what they were doing. So I put the car back to stock tune yesterday and went out to dinner, and the shifts were back being smoother and everything seemed OK. Then I was on my way home and I tried to open her up and she wouldn't get er done. Turned overdrive off still wouldn't get up and move. Slowed down and dropped it into first manually, and she bucked on me again and then it was fine. Drove it to work this morning and I haven't felt any issues. I am very concerned for the transmission. I have about 47000 miles on the car. I'm gonna get all my fluids flushed soon.

So I guess I have two questions:

What the heck is going on with my transmission?

Why couldn't emissions read my computer?


Mind you, I am a total noob to this whole thing. Computers are more of my thing.

Thanks All.

[MM03MOK]

Moving this thread to the Transmissions sub-forum....more eyes will likely see the thread.

[Egon Spengler]

Please change the name of the thread to "Transmission" as well so that CBT doesn't get excited and start cracking tranny jokes.

Moving this thread to the Transmissions sub-forum....more eyes will likely see the thread.

[fastblackmerc]

Hey Guys,

I recently put a K&N CAI and a DR tune on my 2003 MM. Some weird stuff is going on with my transmission. I've searched through the forums and I'm not piecing it together really well. I am by no means a car expert and this is my first car that I've ever modified. Paranoid would be a super word to describe how I feel about this whole thing. Anyway, the transmission shifts a lot harder, which I like, but it seems like its getting stuck in gear or something. I came to a complete stop then attempted to drive forward and It wouldn't go then it like BUCKED on me! I wasn't mashing on the pedal either. Just takin er nice and slow. So that scared the crap out of me. Its done that a couple of times. It also seems like I lose a little power on the low end of the second gear at WOT, but that's the least of my worries. Maryland State emissions couldn't read my computer either but I figured that's because I didn't put the car back to stock. Funny thing about that is they passed me anyway and for FREE! They had no idea what they were doing. So I put the car back to stock tune yesterday and went out to dinner, and the shifts were back being smoother and everything seemed OK. Then I was on my way home and I tried to open her up and she wouldn't get er done. Turned overdrive off still wouldn't get up and move. Slowed down and dropped it into first manually, and she bucked on me again and then it was fine. Drove it to work this morning and I haven't felt any issues. I am very concerned for the transmission. I have about 47000 miles on the car. I'm gonna get all my fluids flushed soon.

So I guess I have two questions:

What the heck is going on with my transmission?

Why couldn't emissions read my computer?


Mind you, I am a total noob to this whole thing. Computers are more of my thing.

Thanks All.

Check the tranny fluid. Does it look dark and smell burnt? If so a flush won't do a thing to fix the problem.

I'd try reflashing the tune.

The CAI wouldn't make you tranny behave like that. Are you sure everything is connected after installing the CAI?

[Black_Out]

Make sure everything is connected properly after installing that CAI. I would also disconnect your battery for about 30 minutes to reset the PCM, and see if it doesn't feel any better after.

[SAAAAAC]

Transmission fluid is orange not red or pink.

I'm pretty sure CAI is connected up just fine. How could the CAI not being connected properly cause this issue?

Battery cable is pulled. I'll test it later.

[fastblackmerc]

Transmission fluid is orange not red or pink.

I'm pretty sure CAI is connected up just fine. How could the CAI not being connected properly cause this issue?

Battery cable is pulled. I'll test it later.

It's not the CAI connected it's the MAF connector. Also make sure the MAF is in the same orientation as in the original setup.

Tranny fluid should be red.

[Zack]

If he returned it to stock and its fine, the problem is the tune.
Do not confuse the poor guy.

[LeoVampire]

The tune you got you made sure you told them what you do and do not have for changes on the engine correct? Proper gears and so forth?

You always start from where the changes began. Check out the CAI system you installed and make sure no air is being sucked through anywhere but the air filter. If you can not find any problems there then look into the tune part and ask who you got it from what it is set up for.

And that Tranny fluid should be pink and should not have a burnt smell. Compair the smell with a new bottle of tranny fluid if you need it to tell the difference seeing your a NEWbe to all of this.

When you reprogram a PCM it does still take it time to learn how to intigrate all of the changes and make it work it's best.

[SAAAAAC]

It's not the CAI connected it's the MAF connector. Also make sure the MAF is in the same orientation as in the original setup.

Tranny fluid should be red.

So Is it safe to flush the transmission?

MAF cable connector is on top. Is that the correct orientation? I still don't understand how airflow has anything to do with the car bucking or getting stuck in gears.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=3&pictureid=658

[Egon Spengler]

My car runs rough at idle and the first thing I am going to check when I get home is the air flow. I thought airflow right when I felt the rough idle.

So Is it safe to flush the transmission?

MAF cable connector is on top. Is that the correct orientation? I still don't understand how airflow has anything to do with the car bucking or getting stuck in gears.

[musclemerc]

^^ While your at it remove and clean the TB with cleaner!

[ctrlraven]

If he returned it to stock and its fine, the problem is the tune.
Do not confuse the poor guy.
Ding Ding Ding. It's the tune, I would contact DR and talk to him about it.

[SAAAAAC]

I'm going to investigate the tune more before I freak out about the transmission.

[ctrlraven]

Contact DR, have him look over your tune to make sure things are correct.

[Blackened300a]

Put it back to stock and see what you got. 9 out of 10 times the problem is in the tune.

[Black_Out]

Try reading his 1st post guys. He said he went back to the stock tune and it was doing the same thing.

[babbage]

Try reading his 1st post guys. He said he went back to the stock tune and it was doing the same thing.

lol - Yes.

here is the pertinent part again:



So I put the car back to stock tune yesterday and went out to dinner, and the shifts were back being smoother and everything seemed OK. Then I was on my way home and I tried to open her up and she wouldn't get er done. Turned overdrive off still wouldn't get up and move.

Yes - its your transmission.

Suggestion: Drop the trans pan, CLEAN IT, clean magnet + install new filter + use only mercon V fluid.


I'm guessing you've never serviced the transmission before?

[SAAAAAC]

lol - Yes.

here is the pertinent part again:



Yes - its your transmission.

Suggestion: Drop the trans pan, CLEAN IT, clean magnet + install new filter + use only mercon V fluid.


I'm guessing you've never serviced the transmission before?

No I haven't serviced the trans. I'm going to get on that.

[babbage]

No I haven't serviced the trans. I'm going to get on that.

Please do. I'd recommend you do a pan drop. clean pan, clean magnet, install new fitler. Then: go to a place that does a complete fluid exchange. Then you should be better. Hopefully new clean fluid will correct the issues.

Do a tranny service every 20-30K miles - more if you get on it a lot. Good luck. Let me know how it goes.

[Black_Out]

I agree though, get a flush and filter change, and make SURE they use real Mercon V or you will have problems.

The boneheads I bought my vic from used the wrong fluid, and I was getting alot of slippage. Tranny flush = fixed it.

But when you get it flushed, disconnect your battery to reset the pcm. That way your computer will allow the transmission to properly adjust to the added friction modifier from the new fluid.

[Zack]

But when you get it flushed, disconnect your battery to reset the pcm. That way your computer will allow the transmission to properly adjust to the added friction modifier from the new fluid.


Im gonna have to call you out on the above statement as being totally wrong.

No offense intended

[Black_Out]

Im gonna have to call you out on the above statement as being totally wrong.

No offense intended

Why is that? I did mine that way and it completely fixed the "TC shudder" I was having.

[Zack]

Why is that? I did mine that way and it completely fixed the "TC shudder" I was having.

After being around tuning software for the past 8 years, I have never seen a transmission parameter for 'learning' like the engine has.

[Black_Out]

Well you know a lot more than I do :D

It just seemed like the car behaved completely different after the pcm reset, and once it fully adjusted the shudder was gone and it ran a lot better.

[Black_Noise]

Ding Ding Ding. It's the tune, I would contact DR and talk to him about it.
Id blame the DR tune also

[Zack]

Well you know a lot more than I do :D

It just seemed like the car behaved completely different after the pcm reset, and once it fully adjusted the shudder was gone and it ran a lot better.

Well, clutches DO absorb fluid and it may have taken some time to rid them of the old fluid entirely

[ctrlraven]

Id blame the DR tune also
Not bashing him but the original tune I got from him when compared to others was pretty harsh though it sure would bark 1-2 shift but it was all to harsh for me.

[Darrin]

I just have a few thoughts in reading this thread.

Since there are no sensors that can give proper feedback for learning on the transmission side, I am going to have to side with Zack on the learning thing. What was felt may have involved other differences while the PCM did it's re-learning, but it wasn't from learning transmission operation.

Also, it's going to take a while to get all the old fluid out of the frictions. Good fluid flow along with the pressure changes seen during application and release of the clutches are going to cycle it out on the surfaces fairly quickly though.

It needs to be said though that even a great tune can definitely show a weakness in a transmission or engine well before the factory tune will. The whole point of an aftermarket tune is to enhance performance in many areas and doing that is going to obviously change how you are operating things and that will change the stresses the components in use will see. There is just no way around that, particularly if the tune is designed to get the most out of the setup and that is what most of you guys looking for a tune are after, right? I see comparisons all the time where feel and performance gains are used as a yardstick and if a tuner isn't measuring up then he isn't going to get the business. It's what the market demands.

Are there bad tunes? Oh hell yes, but just because a car demonstrates a behavior on an aftermarket tune and doesn't on the stock tune doesn't mean that the tune is automatically a bad tune or is the cause of a problem. It can be either or both of those things for sure, but most often it's that the aftermarket tune is calling on a part that isn't up to the task, for whatever reason, to do more than it is capable of. Because of the way they work, the aftermarket tune will usually amplify a problem that the factory tune can, and will, mask. Almost always in that situation the 'problem' is a real one and something that was going to rear it's head sooner or later aftermarket tune or no.

Darrin

[musclemerc]

Good point Darrin, so you guy's with 2~3 owner cars should consider full service on these higher milage MM's before wanting to hotrod them! It could save you alot of headaches

[babbage]

Good point Darrin, so you guy's with 2~3 owner cars should consider full service on these higher milage MM's before wanting to hotrod them! It could save you alot of headaches


Quote of the century right there!

[SAAAAAC]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm still hashing this out. I'll let you know what becomes of it.

[SAAAAAC]

I was reading about the p1000 code and how to reset that. The xcal3 produced that code yesterday. I'm going to start by resetting the PCM and then go through the official learning process in the manual, and driving the car to my mechanic so he can have a look.

[SAAAAAC]

Any recommended transmission shops in the Capital Area? O/D light started flashing. I have a Guardian extended warranty. I need to find a good shop that would accept my warranty. :help:

[musclemerc]

Contact the insurance company, they will help find a shop for you. Visit more than one and make a good choice.

[SAAAAAC]

Say your prayers for the Marauder (SAAAAAC). Just admitted her. My SAAAAAC is in good hands! Lets hope my warranty pays out. I'll keep everyone informed of what's going on.

[4play]

dont tell them you tuned it. put it back to stock and keep your mouth shut or they may not cover it.. ive heard of many people's trannys taking a dump soon after a tune.. since you never did a service to it it was probably hanging on by a thread. the extra line pressure just finnished it off.

[MM03MOK]

Temporarily closed while SAAAAAC works out the issues, at his request. Stay tuned.

[SAAAAAC]

It has been a couple of weeks now and I have my car back and she's running really well. So what had happened was..... Apparently I twisted the splines on the stub shaft. I'm assuming I caught the problem early and I could have snapped the shaft in half much like MrBluGruv did. My extended warranty covered replacing the transmission with one that had been completely rebuilt with OEM parts. No cost to me. I got a new starter out of the deal as well since mine had that dreaded grinding on a cold start. So far so good. They assured me they flushed the system completely and refilled with Mercon V spec fluid. I've now put a Zack tune back on the car and she's running very smooth. Would you believe me if I told you all that I broke the transmission on my 94 caprice Thurs night? Well its true. No 2nd gear. 2 f'd up trannys in less than 2 weeks. She had a good run though. 178,000 miles. I might replace the tranny or buy another beater. I was looking at a nice 2007 Montego. Well here are a couple pictures of my shaft. Thank you all for your advice and assistance.

~Eddie

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=3&pictureid=710

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=3&pictureid=709

[MrBluGruv]

Funny thing is I saw the pictures you posted before I saw you mention my name and I thought "man that looks familiar". I wonder if mine was that way and if so how long it was before I actually snapped mine. At any right, nice one on getting it fixed before catastrophic failure. Hope the rebuilt one brings you many many more happy miles. :)

[musclemerc]

Well I bet your glad you got that ESP huh? You will also be happy with the Zack tune and you won't have to add timing or screw with anything else.




It has been a couple of weeks now and I have my car back and she's running really well. So what had happened was..... Apparently I twisted the splines on the stub shaft. I'm assuming I caught the problem early and I could have snapped the shaft in half much like MrBluGruv did. My extended warranty covered replacing the transmission with one that had been completely rebuilt with OEM parts. No cost to me. I got a new starter out of the deal as well since mine had that dreaded grinding on a cold start. So far so good. They assured me they flushed the system completely and refilled with Mercon V spec fluid. I've now put a Zack tune back on the car and she's running very smooth. Would you believe me if I told you all that I broke the transmission on my 94 caprice Thurs night? Well its true. No 2nd gear. 2 f'd up trannys in less than 2 weeks. She had a good run though. 178,000 miles. I might replace the tranny or buy another beater. I was looking at a nice 2007 Montego. Well here are a couple pictures of my shaft. Thank you all for your advice and assistance.

~Eddie

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=3&pictureid=710

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=3&pictureid=709

[Darrin]

The reason that shaft twisted is because there are some things that need to be done in the tune to prevent that from happening. That happened on a shift into overdrive at power and it did it several times from the looks of it. Fortunately you happened to catch it before it did it for the last time.

The thing to understand here is that since you know this is happening that if you keep meeting the same conditions without changing what is calling for that shift then the same thing is going to happen again when those conditions are met and the shift is called for.

Are you using the heck out of your OD cancel button whenever your foot feels the need to really press on the long skinny pedal?

Darrin

[Darrin]

Actually, from reading your original post on this, it sounds like you did WOT on the stock tune. If so then maybe that is when the majority of that twist happened. I was surprised as hell to see that it did this with a tune in it and that is why I started reading from the beginning again, so hopefully that explains it.

But, it's hard to say for sure from what I read. I am not clear on whether the problem was there with the tune in it and you went back to the stock tune to test, or if you went to the stock tune and then felt something happen that really concerned you.

Darrin

Edit: I also need to say that the problem you were feeling with the transmission wasn't from that shaft being twisted. That in and of itself isn't going to cause the transmission to act differently. It is an effect instead of a cause. And the whole cause of this is really bothering me because you name 2 tunes and I can reasonably assure you that neither of those are going to cause that to happen as far as I know. I have to wonder if either that shaft had been damaged for a long time from when it was being run on the stock tune previously or if maybe it just happened when you went back to the stock tune to test it out. Something isn't adding up there for me. I see those shafts looking like that all the time when guys run the cars hard on a stock tune, but hardly ever when the car is tuned. There is something missing here and without knowing what the rest of the issues were with the transmission then it's all a guessing game.

I can tell you for a fact that I have never seen that happen with a tune from Dennis and from what I have seen with the stuff from Zack recently I am positive his tune wouldn't cause this either. Those aren't endorsements, it's just the facts since you really need to figure out what happened to prevent it from happening again.

[musclemerc]

The reason that shaft twisted is because there are some things that need to be done in the tune to prevent that from happening. That happened on a shift into overdrive at power and it did it several times from the looks of it. Fortunately you happened to catch it before it did it for the last time.

The thing to understand here is that since you know this is happening that if you keep meeting the same conditions without changing what is calling for that shift then the same thing is going to happen again when those conditions are met and the shift is called for.

Are you using the heck out of your OD cancel button whenever your foot feels the need to really press on the long skinny pedal?

Darrin

Darrin, could you elaborate a little more on the things that can be done within the tune to solve this issue? There have been a few tranny fails after installing tunes lately. Some DR, some Lidio. I'm just wondering why this is now occuring when in the past it was unheard of.

[SAAAAAC]

Actually, from reading your original post on this, it sounds like you did WOT on the stock tune. If so then maybe that is when the majority of that twist happened. I was surprised as hell to see that it did this with a tune in it and that is why I started reading from the beginning again, so hopefully that explains it.

But, it's hard to say for sure from what I read. I am not clear on whether the problem was there with the tune in it and you went back to the stock tune to test, or if you went to the stock tune and then felt something happen that really concerned you.

Darrin

Edit: I also need to say that the problem you were feeling with the transmission wasn't from that shaft being twisted. That in and of itself isn't going to cause the transmission to act differently. It is an effect instead of a cause. And the whole cause of this is really bothering me because you name 2 tunes and I can reasonably assure you that neither of those are going to cause that to happen as far as I know. I have to wonder if either that shaft had been damaged for a long time from when it was being run on the stock tune previously or if maybe it just happened when you went back to the stock tune to test it out. Something isn't adding up there for me. I see those shafts looking like that all the time when guys run the cars hard on a stock tune, but hardly ever when the car is tuned. There is something missing here and without knowing what the rest of the issues were with the transmission then it's all a guessing game.

I can tell you for a fact that I have never seen that happen with a tune from Dennis and from what I have seen with the stuff from Zack recently I am positive his tune wouldn't cause this either. Those aren't endorsements, it's just the facts since you really need to figure out what happened to prevent it from happening again.

Darin,

I'm not gonna lie, I did run hard on the stock tune with o/d on. I didn't do it often but I have done it. I also bought the car used with 35,000 miles on it. So it could have been abused before I got it.

I'm not blaming the tunes. But when I put the tune on I felt some bad things going on. That's when I reverted back to stock which didn't really help so then I tried another tune. Basically, I didn't know what I was doing. I'm by no means and expert and I've learned from my mistakes. This is also why I have a broken caprice trans right now as well.

I drove the car home stock from the shop with the rebuilt trans and as soon as I got home I put the tune back on. I haven't gotten into it that much because I'm paranoid now, but when I do, I turn o/d off. Is that a good practice? Or do I have to even worry about it now that I have a fresh trans and tune?

By the way, I called you about purchasing a transmission from you a couple weeks ago. Since the warranty covered this one and it didn't cost me anything I just went with the rebuilt trans. If I break it again, I'll buy a trans from you.

Thanks for your help and advice.

[merc]

Darrin, could you elaborate a little more on the things that can be done within the tune to solve this issue? There have been a few tranny fails after installing tunes lately. Some DR, some Lidio. I'm just wondering why this is now occuring when in the past it was unheard of.

It's happened in the past. I could write a book about it.

[Darrin]

On the tunes, that is something that the tuners need to address themselves. But I can tell you this, I have recently seen a tune from Dennis and it looked really good as far as anything relative to this issue. No worries.

I am wondering it perhaps it's an issue of age catching up with these cars. Then when you go and install a performance tune that kicks it up a notch, the age thing comes through loud and clear. It's normal to start seeing more and more problems as these vehicles get older and older.

My advice to everyone at all times is when you plan to put your foot into it, make sure that the OD cancel has been used first. It isn't the cure, but it will definitely help. It doesn't matter whether the transmission is 'built' or not or if the car has a tune or not. Always do all that you can on your part. Which, for this issue, means using that OD cancel button regularly.

And if I had a waranty I would use it first too ;)

Darrin

[ctrlraven]

Yep always turn the OD off, feel the shift into 3rd before going WOT. I even find myself doing it in my 08 Taurus since I've heard the transmission in them aren't all that great but the 6 spd is nice.

And SAAAAAC' if you want to get the trans rebuilt in the Caprice, there is a really good shop in Sykesville, MD called Calvins Transmissions. They've done work for my family for past 30 some years and installed my 3500 stall converter on the MM.

[LeoVampire]

Glad the problem was found and repaired SAAAAAC and @ no cost to you that is a huge :high5: in my book!

But Darrin is right we need to watch what we are doing with the over drive lock up or find a way of making sure any tune you have addresses this issue for you to help prevent it.

A lot of guys are buying these cars second hand and have no way of knowing how they were treated so I feel for them as these problems are starting to come up.

But in the heat of the moment it is hard to always think about what we did or did not do in prep of running our cars hard. Especialy an 2004 like mine that has no over drive light on the dash in the first place to remind us.

[CBT]

Glad the problem was found and repaired SAAAAACand @ no cost to you that is a huge :high5: in my book!

But Darrinis right we need to watch what we are doing with the over drive lock up or find a way of making sure any tune you have addresses this issue for you to help prevent it.

A lot of guys are buying these cars second hand and have no way of knowing how they were treated so I feel for them as these problems are starting to come up.

But in the heat of the moment it is hard to always think about what we did or did not do in prep of running our cars hard. Especialy an 2004 like mine that has no over drive light on the dash in the first place to remind us.

Interesting! I never knew that. Learn something new everyday up in here.

[CBT]

Wait a minute, how can you tell if it's on or off then?

[SAAAAAC]

Yep always turn the OD off, feel the shift into 3rd before going WOT. I even find myself doing it in my 08 Taurus since I've heard the transmission in them aren't all that great but the 6 spd is nice.

And SAAAAAC' if you want to get the trans rebuilt in the Caprice, there is a really good shop in Sykesville, MD called Calvins Transmissions. They've done work for my family for past 30 some years and installed my 3500 stall converter on the MM.

Thanks. I was thinking of attempting to pull the trans myself and take it somewhere. I may just buy another car. I was thinking a 1996 impala SS, another marauder, mountaineer, or montego. Haven't decided yet. I'm going out of town so I don't even want to think about it right now.

[SAAAAAC]

Glad the problem was found and repaired SAAAAAC and @ no cost to you that is a huge :high5: in my book!

But Darrin is right we need to watch what we are doing with the over drive lock up or find a way of making sure any tune you have addresses this issue for you to help prevent it.

A lot of guys are buying these cars second hand and have no way of knowing how they were treated so I feel for them as these problems are starting to come up.

But in the heat of the moment it is hard to always think about what we did or did not do in prep of running our cars hard. Especialy an 2004 like mine that has no over drive light on the dash in the first place to remind us.

Maybe it would be beneficial to start a "DOs and DON'Ts" or "Best Practices" forum. Sure everything we need to know is somewhere on this site, but if it was all in one place that would be nice. Maybe its been done and I missed it.

Example:

DO: pick up chicks in your marauder and make use of that comfortable back seat.

DON'T: mash it in overdrive

[ctrlraven]

Thanks. I was thinking of attempting to pull the trans myself and take it somewhere. I may just buy another car. I was thinking a 1996 impala SS, another marauder, mountaineer, or montego. Haven't decided yet. I'm going out of town so I don't even want to think about it right now.
If your Caprice is still in good shape and all I'd drive it till it falls apart. I'd skip on the Montego and grab an 08 Sable. 05-07 has the 3.0 V6 with the CVT trans, 08-09 have a 3.5 V6 with a 6 speed trans. The difference in the engines is about 60hp and 50tq increase that the 3.5 has over the 3.0 and the CVT just blows.

I picked up an 08 Taurus AWD a couple months ago and like it a lot besides the few repairs I've had to have done but all covered under warranty. It has more room especially in the back seat compared to the Marauder, pretty peppy to on the highway. Looking into getting a SCT tune for mine in the next coming months.

[MrBluGruv]

I'd skip on the Montego and grab an 08 Sable.

I can second that. My mother has one, it is a fantastic car. It actually feels more spacious on the inside than my Marauder, and it gets up and goes when you put the pedal down. I would be completely happy with one of those myself as a daily driver so I could garage the Marauder for weekend use.

[musclemerc]

Thats a good idea!



Maybe it would be beneficial to start a "DOs and DON'Ts" or "Best Practices" forum. Sure everything we need to know is somewhere on this site, but if it was all in one place that would be nice. Maybe its been done and I missed it.

Example:

DO: pick up chicks in your marauder and make use of that comfortable back seat.

DON'T: mash it in overdrive

[ctrlraven]

I can second that. My mother has one, it is a fantastic car. It actually feels more spacious on the inside than my Marauder, and it gets up and goes when you put the pedal down. I would be completely happy with one of those myself as a daily driver so I could garage the Marauder for weekend use.
That's what I did lol, but grabbed the Taurus instead of the Sable. I REALLY want to swap the Sable taillights onto my Taurus, can't stand the big chrome housing the Taurus' have. They have tons more room at least in leg, head and rear seats. In my Taurus I can have my seat all the way back and then get in the back seat directly behind it and have a good 4" of knee room, compared to my Marauder which now seems to be a 2+2 vehicle cause no adult is going to be able to sit behind me in the MM.

[LeoVampire]

Wait a minute, how can you tell if it's on or off then?


I know my car and can tell from feel and by RPM's vs the speed if it is on or not.

Ya we have no OD light and we have no Cruise control light in the dash.

[FordNut]

...Especialy an 2004 like mine that has no over drive light on the dash in the first place to remind us.



Ya we have no OD light and we have no Cruise control light in the dash.

Wow, I knew about the cruise control light, they're all like that. But I know the '03s have the OD light in the dash and just assumed the '04s also had it. Another reason to be glad I don't have an '04.

[LeoVampire]

Wow, I knew about the cruise control light, they're all like that. But I know the '03s have the OD light in the dash and just assumed the '04s also had it. Another reason to be glad I don't have an '04.


I have been tempted to find and change out the dash pannel from an 03 so I can get those 2 things going on mine but hasn't been in the cards as of yet. Seeing I am the only one driving her it dosn't matter much right now just would be cool to have.

I saw a post a long time ago on here where someone did the same thing I want to and thought it was a cool idea.

[musclemerc]

^^^ I had no idea either.

[ctrlraven]

Learn something new everyday!

[FordNut]

I have been tempted to find and change out the dash pannel from an 03 so I can get those 2 things going on mine but hasn't been in the cards as of yet. Seeing I am the only one driving her it dosn't matter much right now just would be cool to have.

I saw a post a long time ago on here where someone did the same thing I want to and thought it was a cool idea.

An '03 dash still won't give you a cruise control light. None of the Marauders have it.

[LeoVampire]

An '03 dash still won't give you a cruise control light. None of the Marauders have it.

I guess I have to look for that thread again in the archives because someone on here changed out the dash light pannel that added both the OD light and the Cruise control light to his Marader.

I thought it was from an 03 Marauder but maybe it was a Crown Vic

[cougar9150]

I seem remember my 04 SB having an OD light. Cruise control light no but OD yes.

[ctrlraven]

I seem remember my 04 SB having an OD light. Cruise control light no but OD yes.
Yes 04's will have the OD light, they're talking about 03's not having the OD light.

[Zack]

All Marauders have the Green OD Light on the dash. Case closed.

[Zack]

Yes 04's will have the OD light, they're talking about 03's not having the OD light.

LOL no they are not.

ALL MARAUDERS HAVE THE GREEN OD LIGHT

[LeoVampire]

LOL no they are not.

ALL MARAUDERS HAVE THE GREEN OD LIGHT

My car has no OD light Zack never did

[Zack]

My car has no OD light Zack never did

Then its burned out.

I owned an 04, it was there :flamer:

[LeoVampire]

Then its burned out.

I owned an 04, it was there :flamer:

Burned out since Day one of owning the car and no display spot for it in my dash guage pannel?
I did buy this brand new you know?!


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[cougar9150]

I seem remember my 04 SB having an OD light. Cruise control light no but OD yes.
Yes 04's will have the OD light, they're talking about 03's not having the OD light.

My 03 has it also, same spot as my 04. Right above 100mph on the speedometer.



Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G using Tapatalk

[Marauderjack]

As Zack said.....All of them have the "O/D OFF"......"Vamp" yours must be burned out!!!:cool:

Post count +1!!!!!:D

[LeoVampire]

As Zack said.....All of them have the "O/D OFF"......"Vamp" yours must be burned out!!!:cool:

Post count +1!!!!!:D

Must have been burned out from Day 1 in August of 2004 when it went into my hands from the dealer then and she only had 23 miles on her.

[Ktorres1]

Lol Zack has owned 5! Marauders!! I think he closed this case with a judge Judy STAMP!!

[Darrin]

I am just curious. On the OD light, is it marked clearly where you can see it even with the light off or do you have to press the switch to even be able to see that it's there?

Darrin

[SAAAAAC]

I am just curious. On the OD light, is it marked clearly where you can see it even with the light off or do you have to press the switch to even be able to see that it's there?

Darrin

you have to press the switch

[Darrin]

you have to press the switch


So you should be able to shine a light at it and see the outline of the letters then I would assume.

I can't imagine that there isn't a light for this by the way.

Darrin

[Darrin]

Burned out since Day one of owning the car and no display spot for it in my dash guage pannel?
I did buy this brand new you know?!


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Now I am not really wanting to get in the middle of anything, but my wife and I both think we see the green square for the OD light up high and to the right of the speedo in these pics. I have to look at the screen just so to see it, but I am about positive it's there.

Darrin

[CBT]

I knew I wasn't crazy when it came to that O/D light, lol. Okay back on topic, sorry for causing the derail.

[LeoVampire]

Now I am not really wanting to get in the middle of anything, but my wife and I both think we see the green square for the OD light up high and to the right of the speedo in these pics. I have to look at the screen just so to see it, but I am about positive it's there.

Darrin

I will try shinning a flash light into it and see if it shows up @ all.

All I know is it hasn't worked since day one of getitng the car brand new in 2004. I will post the results of the flash light look.

Okay with a flash light you can clearly see on the left side the battery light that is not marked but on the right side there is absolutly nothing.

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[Zack]

I will try shinning a flash light into it and see if it shows up @ all.

All I know is it hasn't worked since day one of getitng the car brand new in 2004. I will post the results of the flash light look.

No need to wait, its there! ;)

[MrBluGruv]

I will try shinning a flash light into it and see if it shows up @ all.

All I know is it hasn't worked since day one of getitng the car brand new in 2004. I will post the results of the flash light look.

Okay with a flash light you can clearly see on the left side the battery light that is not marked but on the right side there is absolutly nothing.

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I can actually very very VERY faintly see the outline of the lower-right hand corner of the tinted box for the light in the last picture, but there is something definately different about your dash cluster in that regard cause you shouldn't have to hunt and catch light at just the right angle to only barely see it.

[LeoVampire]

I can actually very very VERY faintly see the outline of the lower-right hand corner of the tinted box for the light in the last picture, but there is something definately different about your dash cluster in that regard cause you shouldn't have to hunt and catch light at just the right angle to only barely see it.

I think they never did the cut out for it in the pannel in the first place. Maybe there is a score mark in the back side of it to be done but there is no spot for the light there what so ever.

I will take it appart seeing the Altinator is out of it anyways and not going anywhere. And post what I do or do not see.

Chances are I should try and get a new piece for it from a Wrecked Marauder.

[cougar9150]

You can see the faint green outline in the red circled area.

[LeoVampire]

You all were right I was wrong just never had a working light since day 1. Bulb is in there and the bulb is good but never worked.

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But now comes the next fricken problem figuring out why this light dosn't work

[Zack]

Id bet the wires at the shifter button are the problem

[LeoVampire]

Id bet the wires at the shifter button are the problem

That would be nice but seems like to easy a fix to me with my luck.

Okay shifter O/D button was connected just fine when I took it apart. I guess I will have to wait
till the Altinator is ready to track down the problem. Beside's if they were not connected I never
would have been able to shut off the over drive anyways. Must be a problem in the dash with where
the bulb is.

[FordNut]

Be careful to not get fingerprints, smudges, or scratches on the inside of the lens when you put the instrument cluster back together.

[LeoVampire]

Be careful to not get fingerprints, smudges, or scratches on the inside of the lens when you put the instrument cluster back together.

Thanks for the tip and yep doing my best that way. I did clean it all up though there was a lot of blow in dust and what not in there already when I took it apart. Tons of it behind all the pieces of the dash as well.

Going to take pictures and post them in the mod book and say see what I do for detailing :lol:


I supose this is a good opertunity to get a bunch of LED bulbs and change them all out now with the dash apart @ least.

[SAAAAAC]

roll back the O while you're in there. HAHA!

[LeoVampire]

roll back the O while you're in there. HAHA!

There is a running record attached to the VIN on the service I have had done @ the dealership so that would be picked up in a heart beat. I always let the dealership do the oil changes and cooling flush and what not.

To show my gratitude for the things they did to make the Marauder happen for me in the first place.