2004 LSE "Check Transmission"

[oopsIboughtalincolnlse]

Hi, I searched everywhere before posting this and found nothing matching my problem, so I hope I can get some help identifying the issue.

I own a 2004 Lincoln LSE with a 3.9L V8. When we drive the car, everything seems fluid and smooth. Then, usually when I am at about 50mph, we will get a warning chime and on the message center, "Check Transmission" comes on accompanied by an E in the gear section. There is no difference in performance. The transmission is not sticking, shifting rough, or any other noticeable difference. When driving at 30mph in and around town, I have not noticed the E and "Check Transmission" warning.

Since there is no change in performance, but as soon as I approach the 50mph range, the error comes on, I don't know what to do or think. I want to get it fixed so the error or message no longer appear, but I cannot seem to identify the problem. I took the car to a local auto repair shop and was told the transmission needed rebuilt, which I immediately dismissed since there is no symptom aside from the message center and e. Can anyone provide any direction? All of the posts that I have read with anything to do with "check transmission" also say their cars either won't shift, or do so poorly. This is not what I'm dealing with. Thank you in advance.

 

[LS4me]

Hi, I searched everywhere before posting this and found nothing matching my problem, so I hope I can get some help identifying the issue.

I own a 2004 Lincoln LSE with a 3.9L V8. When we drive the car, everything seems fluid and smooth. Then, usually when I am at about 50mph, we will get a warning chime and on the message center, "Check Transmission" comes on accompanied by an E in the gear section. There is no difference in performance. The transmission is not sticking, shifting rough, or any other noticeable difference. When driving at 30mph in and around town, I have not noticed the E and "Check Transmission" warning.

Since there is no change in performance, but as soon as I approach the 50mph range, the error comes on, I don't know what to do or think. I want to get it fixed so the error or message no longer appear, but I cannot seem to identify the problem. I took the car to a local auto repair shop and was told the transmission needed rebuilt, which I immediately dismissed since there is no symptom aside from the message center and e. Can anyone provide any direction? All of the posts that I have read with anything to do with "check transmission" also say their cars either won't shift, or do so poorly. This is not what I'm dealing with. Thank you in advance.

I believe that would be the valve body issue. There is a needle valve sticking; for some reason it doesn't affect performance. I think there was a TSB on this. I thought this was fixed in '03 though.......

 

[oopsIboughtalincolnlse]

Mine is year model 2004, but the condition is exactly as described, so at least in my case, whatever the problem is, it isn't resolved. What is a TSB? I get that it's a service bulletin, but not sure what. As for the valve body issue, if that's what I've looked at online, does it require the $250 replacement for repair, or is there another way to service the issue and get it resolved? Thank you for responding.

 

[LS4me]

Mine is year model 2004, but the condition is exactly as described, so at least in my case, whatever the problem is, it isn't resolved. What is a TSB? I get that it's a service bulletin, but not sure what. As for the valve body issue, if that's what I've looked at online, does it require the $250 replacement for repair, or is there another way to service the issue and get it resolved? Thank you for responding.

If it is the needle valve in the valve body the valve body would need to be replaced, it can't be serviced. I saw yours is an '04 which is why I said I thought they fixed it in '03. It could be something completly different. I suggest you at least get the dealer to read the stored trouble code.

A TSB tells the dealer how to resolve a particular issue or concern. Try a google search for Lincoln LS valve body TSB.

 

[55CrownVic]

Symptom sounds the same as my 01 v8 had. Mine was torque converter lock up solenoid. Quick check is to drive about 50 MPH at a steady pace with foot -no cruise-, hold steady on gas and tap brake with left foot while watching tach. If converter is not locking up the tach will stay steady. If lock up is working the tach should rise up a few hundred rpm for a couple of seconds. This would show converter unlocking and normal operation. Mine was a bad lock up solenoid in sol. pack.

 

[TorquE]

Best user name ever! oopsIboughtalincolnlse

 

[mikeyg03ls]

I got the same problem except it goes off more around 70 or after extended periods of driving. I've been driving with it like this for three+ months, gone up to a buck twenty five and its still been actin normal performance wise. If you find out what it is that would be great to know haha. Tried bringing it in to my shop but the code is erased when the cars shut off and started again.

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[mikeyg03ls]

After posting my previous message i realized mine comes on as well at 50 once warmed up. Finally checked it with a ford diag tool at school, got a p1744 code. There is a problem with the torque converter, not letting the car switch into overdrive, resulting in higher rpms and worse fuel economy. Id bet money you have the same problem.

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[mikeyg03ls]

Symptom sounds the same as my 01 v8 had. Mine was torque converter lock up solenoid. Quick check is to drive about 50 MPH at a steady pace with foot -no cruise-, hold steady on gas and tap brake with left foot while watching tach. If converter is not locking up the tach will stay steady. If lock up is working the tach should rise up a few hundred rpm for a couple of seconds. This would show converter unlocking and normal operation. Mine was a bad lock up solenoid in sol. pack.

Forgive my slowness but just to clarify, there's was no actual real problem with the converter itself?

 

[55CrownVic]

Forgive my slowness but just to clarify, there's was no actual real problem with the converter itself?

No, no problem with converter itself. Had Lincoln dealer check first and they wanted to replace converter and transmission. Dropped pan, no shavings or metal dust. Ohmed out solenoids and found lockup sol. was bad. Replaced sol. pack, filter and added fluid. Problem fixed.