OD gone at 20,000 miles

[merc]

The laundry list of repairs is getting longer. I arrived at the dealership to have my rear girdle checked because I was having leaks. After repairing that issue I was on my way down the highway and at 60 miles an hour the RPM’s spun to over 6,000 without notice. Needless to say I thought this was the end of my transmission, but I quickly found that I had other gears. So I slowed down and shifted to second, hum that works. Then I placed it into drive and for a couple of seconds that seemed to work till it automatically shifted to Overdrive. At that point I figured out that I needed to take Overdrive off and limp my way back to the dealership. 10 thousand miles engine was replace, 20 thousand miles transmission failed, what next ?

:mad:

[TAF]

Man...sorry to hear this Merc. Although...we all know folks have been down this path before. You've just seemed to have had more than your share of 'majors".

I hope your dealer works well with you on the fix.

[Smokie]

what next ?

:mad:
Merc, no way to make this sound good or normal, but I try to find a positive, during warranty period, new engine, new transmission. Why it happened, who knows ? If either one or both happen after warranty is over.... well you know what I mean. Let us know what they find wrong with the transmission.

[merc]

Merc, no way to make this sound good or normal, but I try to find a positive, during warranty period, new engine, new transmission. Why it happened, who knows ? If either one or both happen after warranty is over.... well you know what I mean. Let us know what they find wrong with the transmission.

You have a point Smoke, I hope they are both covered under warranty. My next mod will be an extended warrenty. Their is another bright side to the story, I can now justify my level 2 upgrade with the Boss. Hi ho hi ho, off to Florida I go.

[Mad4Macs]

I wonder if your car followed mine down the assembly line!
Rear pinion seal failed at 20,000, tranny at 24,000.
I had an intermittant "loss of power" issue (meaning that the car would suddenly die), insane front end squeaking (resolved by members here at MM.net), and a check engine light before my first scheduled tune up.
If if weren't for the EXCELLENT service dept at my dealership, I'd not be driving this car anymore...
All said, I still like my car ;)

[MarauderMark]

[QUOTE=Mad4Macs]I wonder if your car followed mine down the assembly line!
tranny at 24,000.QUOTE]


Maannnnnn!!!!! :censor: I hope this is'nt something to look forward too :eek:

[merc]

[QUOTE=Mad4Macs]I wonder if your car followed mine down the assembly line!
tranny at 24,000.QUOTE]


Maannnnnn!!!!! :censor: I hope this is'nt something to look forward too :eek:

Don't worry Mark, because I think my car was an early beta version. :beer:

[Zack]

10 thousand miles engine was replace, 20 thousand miles transmission failed, what next ?
:mad:


Well, supercharger of course!

Oh, I mean control arms.

[jabo731]

I have 430s and a stallion torque convertor, I'm starting ti notice a few mushy shifts hope my tranny is not going

[junehhan]

The laundry list of repairs is getting longer. I arrived at the dealership to have my rear girdle checked because I was having leaks. After repairing that issue I was on my way down the highway and at 60 miles an hour the RPM’s spun to over 6,000 without notice. Needless to say I thought this was the end of my transmission, but I quickly found that I had other gears. So I slowed down and shifted to second, hum that works. Then I placed it into drive and for a couple of seconds that seemed to work till it automatically shifted to Overdrive. At that point I figured out that I needed to take Overdrive off and limp my way back to the dealership. 10 thousand miles engine was replace, 20 thousand miles transmission failed, what next ?

:mad:

That really sucks, but the important thing is that it happened under warranty coverage, right? Let us know whether they decide to replace it or repair it.

[Murader03]

Mec:

I can tell you from experience, the Extended Warranty is worth the money. Thermostat went belly up in February, engine being replaced this week. The expense at this point, other than the initial cost, will be the deductable for both repairs. Hopefully the tranny will last until I get to Dennis's shop in June. But at 53K+ it should have died by now.....

[Fourth Horseman]

Sorry to hear of your trouble, Merc. :(

I sure hope that Ford starts getting its act together, and soon. As it is now, their quality really bites. :depress:

[hitchhiker]

Sorry to hear of your trouble, Merc. :(

I sure hope that Ford starts getting its act together, and soon. As it is now, their quality really bites. :depress:
Just proves that being cheaper (CUAW) doesn't mean better.

The quality coming out of Canadian plants
for both Ford and GM absolutely sucks! :(

As we have seen, having our cars built by a government protected, 24-pack a night, hungover, half of the morning in the can type of worker has had dreadful effects on quality. I hope ford will get its act together on accountability. :(

There is simply no excuse for the lack of
craftsmanship demonstrated in these cars!

I am sure that there are some good workers, but when you're
on a team (CUAW) you are judged by the team's results.

So far my new 2004 MM has been good with the exception of minor paint
coverage issues in the rear door sills, some very minor swirl marks in the paint, typical sub-woofer rattle problem, a small pit in the front pasenger door glass, and the 'black hole' missing inner fender piece on the driver's front wheel well on delivery.

The car will be going into the dealership to have these things done next month.

We have a 'lemon law' here in CA which mandates the number of attempts FLM gets to rectify a problem or the total service outage for a buyer before they have to refund or give us a new car.

I am at 900 miles now and the engine is just starting to loosten a little bit. It performs nicely under acceleration with no rattles other than the aforementioned sub-woofer. I expect attention to quality when paying 30,000 for a 20,000 car! (Marquis plus performance MM equipment) I am hoping that many of the quality problems suffered by the MM brothers here have been addressed in later build date cars. Time will tell. Thanks to the good folks on this site, I know what potential problems to look for.

Best Regards,

David

[RCSignals]

Hitchhicker, you are way off base on quality coming from Canadian Ford plants.

[RCSignals]

Merc, while this could be the dreaded OD failure, it may also be the uncommon wire chafing, causing the OD to short or ground and drop out.

I don't know who's Black Cloud is darker, yours or Steve's

[hitchhiker]

Hitchhicker, you are way off base on quality coming from Canadian Ford plants.

My opinion regarding the work quality of Canadian (CUAW) plants is based on the many posts from the members here regarding defects and generally poor build quality. There is simply no excuse for the defects we are currently experiencing, especially the paint problems. Nobody who gave a d*** would produce or sign off on that kind of output. I can only call em as I see em.

Best Regards,

David

[SergntMac]

The quality coming out of Canadian plants
for both Ford and GM absolutely sucks!

There is simply no excuse for the lack of
craftsmanship demonstrated in these cars!

I am sure that there are some good workers, but when you're
on a team (CUAW) you are judged by the team's results.

Best Regards, David
I disagree. Thought I do know exactly where, I'm fairly confident that the power train is manfactured elsewhere, and sent to STAP for final assembly. Blaming the work force at STAP, or, the CUAW for the QC of the powertrain is misdirected...IMHO

[RCSignals]

Mac is correct.
Problems reported here are magnified to an extent, in that one gets the impression that a reported problem is wide spread.
You'll find that some of the problem items, and I believe the transmission is one, are not built in Canada.

It is not an issue of being built in Canada because it is "cheaper". This isn't a "NAFTA" "labour is cheaper elsewhere" deal, Ford has been building automobiles, trucks, and components in Canada for 100 years.

[MAD-3R]

I talked tyo Merc on Saturday afternoon, and I'm certain it's not the Wire chafe issue. He was having some funkyness with his tranny for a couple of weeks , and I think it finaly just quit. Hopefully he will have an answer as to the condition of his car soon.

[joflewbyu2]

wasn't sure if it was an overdrive problem or a torque converter shudder problem, but it only occured going into overdrive or downshifting out of overdrive. this occured at 15,000 miles. i dropped the tranny pan to find the dip stick plastic grey plug floating around the pan. i changed to redline atf tranny fluid and a B&M racing aluminum finned pan which holds 3 quarts more and the problem dissappeared. the old fluid was still pretty clean but the stock filter was a 5 microm filter. the new FMC filter was 1 micron filtering capacity. just a thought for those who are experiencing a similar problem that i had.

[Jeff]

I have 21k on mine and have had no problems at all except for the
tranny linkage adjustment. My tires are uniformly worn and not much
at that. My only gripe is that darn thin paint! :shake:
Other than that this car has been the best I've had. :banana2:

[Fourth Horseman]

My opinion regarding the work quality of Canadian (CUAW) plants is based on the many posts from the members here regarding defects and generally poor build quality. There is simply no excuse for the defects we are currently experiencing, especially the paint problems. Nobody who gave a d*** would produce or sign off on that kind of output. I can only call em as I see em.

Best Regards,

David

For what it's worth, my previous Ford, a '96 Thunderbird LX V8 Sport, had a lot of little problems and a tranny failure as well. That car was built in Ohio, if I remember correctly.

The reason Ford's quality problems seem so glaring to me is that my previous Ford vehicles were so good. My '93 Cougar XR7 was flawless over the entire time I owned it. Maybe I'm just getting unlucky, but I really think some of the problems I've had with Ford products the last 6 years or so are inexcusable.

Don't mean to be a downer. Just discussing the situation as I see it.

[junehhan]

Whenever you buy a new car, I think it's often your luck of the draw more than anything else at times. A good example is how Land Rover has more problems per car than any other brand out there(some study that was done earlier this year), yet there are still people who get fairly trouble free ones. Then there is the opposite end of the spectrum where you have Lexus who continues to lead the pack in quality, and people still manage to get a bad Lexus now and then. Problems in a online forum as mentioned will generally throw problems out of proportion as well, since we represent a very small portion of the total number of Marauder owners out there. Just as in life, reality is often much different from perception. People come to these forums to vent or release their frustration, but you almost never see people coming to post about how they havn't had a single problem with their Brand X car. The panther platform is a very reliable platform, and continues to score very high on the various studies done by JD Power, and other automotive research firms.

[RCSignals]

For what it's worth, my previous Ford, a '96 Thunderbird LX V8 Sport, had a lot of little problems and a tranny failure as well. That car was built in Ohio, if I remember correctly.

The reason Ford's quality problems seem so glaring to me is that my previous Ford vehicles were so good. My '93 Cougar XR7 was flawless over the entire time I owned it. Maybe I'm just getting unlucky, but I really think some of the problems I've had with Ford products the last 6 years or so are inexcusable.

Don't mean to be a downer. Just discussing the situation as I see it.
Funny how that period of problematic Fords relates to the period Jac was around.

[Fourth Horseman]

Funny how that period of problematic Fords relates to the period Jac was around.

Jac? I don't get it. :confused:

[RCSignals]

Jac? I don't get it. :confused:
Nasser. Remember him?

[Fourth Horseman]

Nasser. Remember him?

No, I really don't. Am I miss'n? Jebus, I'm too young to be developing alzheimers. :eek:

[Macon Marauder]

Jac or Jacques Nasser was head of Ford during it's crazy acquistion and stocking up on prcious metals phase. Big part of why the company nearly went bankrupt.

[merc]

I just contacted the repair shop and he explained that the Clip (I can’t remember the exact name) was broken on the OD and they are replacing the band also. Car should be back on the road Wednesday or Thursday. All parts and labor covered under warranty.

:rock:

Dennis Reinhart (older post concerning level 1 and 2 mod)

I will include a new rear tail shaft bushing. Also included is the spiral lock clip, what I have seen is the stock OEM clip will shake or pop off the mechanical diode assemble and this alone can cause the transmission to fail, along with the lips being torn or cut on the 1/2 accumulator pistons improperly installed from Ford, this is why a lot of you are having transmission failures, this kit will come with all the gaskets and hardware. This kit should be used on low mileage Transmissions that have no problems or internal damage.

The spiral lock clip is what broke in my car.

[MAD-3R]

I just contacted the repair shop and he explained that the Clip (I can’t remember the exact name) was broken on the OD and they are replacing the band also. Car should be back on the road Wednesday or Thursday. All parts and labor covered under warranty.

:rock:


AWSOME!!!!!!! :rock: :rock: :rock: :coolman: :cool4:

[Fourth Horseman]

Jac or Jacques Nasser was head of Ford during it's crazy acquistion and stocking up on prcious metals phase. Big part of why the company nearly went bankrupt.

Ah! Thanks for the clarification. :)

[Cobra25]

The laundry list of repairs is getting longer. I arrived at the dealership to have my rear girdle checked because I was having leaks. After repairing that issue I was on my way down the highway and at 60 miles an hour the RPM’s spun to over 6,000 without notice. Needless to say I thought this was the end of my transmission, but I quickly found that I had other gears. So I slowed down and shifted to second, hum that works. Then I placed it into drive and for a couple of seconds that seemed to work till it automatically shifted to Overdrive. At that point I figured out that I needed to take Overdrive off and limp my way back to the dealership. 10 thousand miles engine was replace, 20 thousand miles transmission failed, what next ?

:mad:10k,20k they say it always happeneds in three's. 30k? I hope you have better luck with it in the future.

[jabo731]

Has anyone noticed very soft shifts after about 12,000 miles. like I stated earlier i have 430s and a stallion torque convertor

[RCSignals]

Has anyone noticed very soft shifts after about 12,000 miles. like I stated earlier i have 430s and a stallion torque convertor
Aren't you due for a first transmission oil change?
Someone reported changing oil and filter and noticing real improvement

[Fourth Horseman]

Aren't you due for a first transmission oil change?
Someone reported changing oil and filter and noticing real improvement

Should that be done every 12k? I was thinking more like two years or 24k.

[SergntMac]

I just contacted the repair shop and he explained that the Clip (I can’t remember the exact name) was broken on the OD and they are replacing the band also....
Dennis Reinhart (older post concerning level 1 and 2 mod)
I will include a new rear tail shaft bushing. Also included is the "spiral lock clip..."
The spiral lock clip is what broke in my car.
No, Merc...What broke on your tranny is what has broken (or popped out) in almost all of the "no OD" complaints we have heard here. Once it's out, it gets twisted in the rotating mass, and this scores the inside of the clutch pack and burns up the drum.

This C clip is the intermediate clutch pack retainer, and it holds everything together inside. It's a typical C shaped retaining clip. The improved repair part is the spiral lock design, which looks like three rings of a slinky, with barbs and bumps in it that interlock together when correctly pressed into place. The sprial lock will not come out without a fight. This C clip is a shortcoming of our '03 4R70W tranny. I can't say it's been changed or improved in our '04's 4R75W tranny, because I don't know.

Y'all...Early symptoms of this failure are mild slipping in and out of OD, which is sometimes confused with TQ lockup because it feels almost exactly the same. Progressive symptoms include a loss of OD, or, failure to shift into OD. A lot of us are not aware it has early symptoms because we like to tool around in 3rd, with the OD shut off. No telling when it begins, until it gets worse.

When it does get worse, you should be able to limp around town with 1, 2, and 3rd gears, but no OD. Zack and I both drove home from Texas last year, without any OD. ***** MPG, but we got home, right? So, don't hit the panic button if you detect a loss of OD.

BTW, trannys that are seriously sick will flash the OD dash light, indicating slippage throughout the gear range. When this happens, head for the nearest dealership.

Here's a simple test of your OD, and I used my whole drive home from Ennis TX to Chicago IL, to perfect this test.

Find a highway where you can approach an incline at highway speed with OD engaged. Set your cruise control, and let the car pull itself up the incline. If you can do this without any downshifting out of OD, you're okay. If your MM downshifts out of OD, the incline is too steep for this test. If your MM cannot pull itself up the incline without loosing speed, your OD is slipping. Slipping, but not severe enough to set off sensors, get it checked out? Hope this helps, just my .02c Clip...

[bullfrog26]

Checked tonight at work, still using the C type retaining clips for the direct, forward and reverse clutches. I can not tell you how they work but I know where all the parts go. Been in manufacturing, repair and assembly of the 4R70/75 for the last ten years.

[merc]

The car is still in the shop after 9 days. The intermediate clutch pack retainer and OD band has been replaced, but the cars still suffered from a slipping OD. The service manager reported low line pressure, so they ordered a new value body and EPC. I should have more information Monday.

[Bluerauder]

The car is still in the shop after 9 days. The intermediate clutch pack retainer and OD band has been replaced, but the cars still suffered from a slipping OD. The service manager reported low line pressure, so they ordered a new value body and EPC. I should have more information Monday.
Merc,
Hope the shop gets this sorted out quickly and satisfactorily for you. Nine days --- you must be very anxious to get back into the saddle again. :depress: Good luck !!!

[merc]

Well, the car in back home and everything is better then before. Here is the laundry list of parts.

F2TZ-7F196-A Band ASY-Tran
F8AZ-7153-AB Kit Trans Gskt
1L3Z-7C155-AA Gasket-Trans C
1W7Z-7D100-AB Gasket-Trans V
-391267-S Ring-3 21/64 R
E9AZ-5E241-A Gasket-EXH CON
X0-5W20-QSP ENGINE OIL SAE
1W7Z-7A100-BA Control ASY-TR
XL3Z-7G383-AB Solenoid Assy
1W7Z-7D100-AB Gasket-Trans V
1L3Z-7C155-AA Gasket-Trans C

Countless hours in labor.

The major problem with this transmission failure was the solenoid (EPC) that creates line pressure. The C clip and OD Band were the after effects of the EPC.
:rasta:

[junehhan]

Hey, congradulations on getting your car back! I say it all the time, but nothing feels as good as being back in a car you call your own! Even if it's a good loaner or rental car, I just never have as much fun, or feel as comfortable as being in my own car..............

[Murader03]

Merc: Glad you got the beast back. My engine finally came in late Tuesday. :banana: They will uncrate it and start the install today. :D Hope to get it back by Friday, or Monday at the latest. Need to get the beast on the road again before visiting Dennis..... :burnout:

[Haggis]

Well, the car in back home and everything is better then before....


Glad to hear you have your car back. Hope you don't have anymore problems with it.

[merc]

Glad to hear you have your car back. Hope you don't have anymore problems with it.

This weekend I had two Red T-shirts made up for the Capital Area Marauders.
I used your suggestion of the Washington Capital as a backdrop and the words surrounding the logo in a horseshoe pattern. I think everyone will like the T-shirts.

On another note: I really liked your cobra manifolds at the Philly car event, so I had them installed while my tranny was getting fixed. Pam thinks the car is too loud now. Oh well, I guess I don't need the car horn to notify other drivers, just depress the gas a little.
:beer:

[junehhan]

This weekend I had two Red T-shirts made up for the Capital Area Marauders.
I used your suggestion of the Washington Capital as a backdrop and the words surrounding the logo in a horseshoe pattern. I think everyone will like the T-shirts.

On another note: I really liked your cobra manifolds at the Philly car event, so I had them installed while my tranny was getting fixed. Pam thinks the car is too loud now. Oh well, I guess I don't need the car horn to notify other drivers, just depress the gas a little.
:beer:

Did Pam have to know about the cobra manifolds that were installed? Maybe you could have told her, "gee, I dunno why the car sounds louder," or, "are you sure you arn't imagining it?" :)

[Haggis]

This weekend I had two Red T-shirts made up for the Capital Area Marauders.
I used your suggestion of the Washington Capital as a backdrop and the words surrounding the logo in a horseshoe pattern. I think everyone will like the T-shirts.

On another note: I really liked your cobra manifolds at the Philly car event, so I had them installed while my tranny was getting fixed. Pam thinks the car is too loud now. Oh well, I guess I don't need the car horn to notify other drivers, just depress the gas a little.
:beer:

Yea, but do you have the 18" Magnaflows to go with them? I installed mine last week and do they make a difference, I love the sound when I give it some gas now.

I was leaving the car show in Hagerstown last Saturday night and as I pulled out I gave it a little gas and a cop decided to follow me a little ways down the road. He would get real close and then back off a little, but he then turned off and left me alone. Coincidence he was going my direction anyway maybe?

By the way every Saturday night til mid October is Cruise Night at the Valley Mall in Hagerstown, MD. 5p.m. - 10p.m. and every 2nd and 4th Saturday is Cruise night at The FrederickTown Mall in Frederick, MD. 5-pm. - 10p.m.

Just FYI.

[Murader03]

On another note: I really liked your cobra manifolds at the Philly car event, so I had them installed while my tranny was getting fixed. Pam thinks the car is too loud now. Oh well, I guess I don't need the car horn to notify other drivers, just depress the gas a little.
:beer:


Well, I guess I'll be in hot water soon then too. Dot already thinks the MM is loud and I've still got the stock exhaust except for the delete tips. But Honey, We must have blown the muffler packing on the trip to Fla. and back. Will be getting the Cobra exhaust from Dennis installed next month.

BTW, my new motor showed up late yesterday. Might, just might have the beast back Friday. For info, the remanufactured engines do "NOT" come with exhaust or intake manifolds. All other accessories must also be installed. Got a couple pictures, came shipped in a real nice plactic container, wrapped in clear plastic.

[merc]

maybe we should call ford motor company on these issues? thats all right I have already contacted the field service engineer and explained how this vehicle has after market chip, torque converter, rear end cover etc. he will be in contact with you and wants to see your vehicle!!!
thank you
service manager of mercury dealer!!!

I don't know who is using my login but I don't write this post and who ever did can kiss my big black A$$. and you can quote me on that one Sir

[Svashtar]

maybe we should call ford motor company on these issues? thats all right I have already contacted the field service engineer and explained how this vehicle has after market chip, torque converter, rear end cover etc. he will be in contact with you and wants to see your vehicle!!!
thank you
service manager of mercury dealer!!!
I haven't seen this specifically addressed, but have to ask: does the upgrade to the 4:10 gears and the performance upgrade to the chip with a tuner (or replacement chip) which obviously increases HP, have anything to do with these early tranny failures in your opinion? Do these upgrades cause the warranty to be automatically invalidated JUST when it comes to tranny problems?

Secondly, does the Reinhart level II upgrade to the tranny which I have heard makes it pretty much "bulletproof" affect the warranty negatively? (You would think the opposite would be true.)

Thanks as usual for your feedback.

Regards,

Norm

[Mad4Macs]

I haven't seen this specifically addressed, but have to ask: does the upgrade to the 4:10 gears and the performance upgrade to the chip with a tuner... etc

My trans failed at 27,000 (mostly highway) miles with NO mods whatsoever done to the car.
It has, however, been chipped since the rebuild.

[merc]

I haven't seen this specifically addressed, but have to ask: does the upgrade to the 4:10 gears and the performance upgrade to the chip with a tuner (or replacement chip) which obviously increases HP, have anything to do with these early tranny failures in your opinion? Do these upgrades cause the warranty to be automatically invalidated JUST when it comes to tranny problems?

Secondly, does the Reinhart level II upgrade to the tranny which I have heard makes it pretty much "bulletproof" affect the warranty negatively? (You would think the opposite would be true.)

Thanks as usual for your feedback.

Regards,

Norm

I hate to tell you that I don't write this responce.

[sailsmen]

The analysis I have seen posted are mostly due to poor quality control and a C-clip on the OD Band that tends to pop off.

[Rep12]

Somethings wrong here...are these cars being beaten at the track or are they just daily drivers? This shouldn't be happening to a 30 thousand dollar car. It's a Grand Marquis for crips sake.

What's the problem - be honest - do you beat the car?

Dave