please help: 99 cont transmission problem

[motorgirl76]

I bought a car for $4000 below blue book value, and the transmission light keeps coming on and going off again. When the light is not on then the gears shift fine, and when the light does come on they shift hard from first to second. There has been alot of snow and ice lately that I have been spinning the wheels in quite a bit. Before the storm, I did not have any problems at all. I checked the transmission fluid and it is fine. I wanted the mech to check to see if it was the computer with on board diagnostic or the actual transmission. He said it is the transmission. I think they are trying to take advantage of me because I am a girl. The mech said that they would not know what is wrong without tearing the transmission out for atleast $1000. And with that they still would not fix it, that would be up to $4000. Can anyone give any input. Can this be a computer problem and not mechanical? If so what exactly can be wrong with it? any input would be appreciated.

 

[bradyelich]

What trans light? You are not confusing with traction control light are you? The traction control lights up when it is activated (to stop spinning wheels).

Did you ask someone to pull the codes from the transmission? This takes 5 minutes with a code reader.

I would start with a tranny fluid and filter change. You only have to drop the trans fluid pan and change the filter and replace the amount of oil drained out with Mobil 1 trans fluid, probably about 7 or 8 quarts. Mobil 1 oil and Amsoil are the two best to use - do not use any other oil or additive. I have done this with all my vehicles and it cures any shifting problems plus gives you 2-3 mpg more.

Hope this helps.
Brad Yelich.

 

[StincolnLincoln]

How has it been driving since all the ice is gone. I am in austin it did the same thing here thats when my traction control took over but ever since the ice is gone my 2000 conti rides fine no slips no pulling no nothing and if it was something wrong with your conti trans the msg board would tell you if that yr has one i am sure it does. the only problem i had was my torque converter went and that was covered. check your ride settings as well.

 

[pokeeto2]

When the Tranny light come on You will see CHECK TRANSMISSION
along with chime.
Traction control light will just display TRACTION CONTROL or
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL if there were a malfuction with the Anti-Lock brake sensors on the brake calipers.

All these cars from 95 to 2002 have the Check Transmission Indicator in the message board. For it to come on and off frequently, I believe it's not possible. I've seen these messages come ( on these cars ) on after almost 45 minutes of use and when they do come on, they stay on until you shut the car down. Or if you are low on tranny fluid, it comes on almost immediatly after startup. But it doesn't blink on and off repeatedly after it goes off.

If it is the transmission, do a Tranny Fluid/ Flush/and filter change. When you want to chack the tranny fluid level, you have to have the car running to accuratly see the true level. And it you want to see if your fluid is still good, the fluid should be an almost clear light red color ( Mercon V or Mercon 5 ) both are the same and thats the fluid you use if you change it.
The Traction control light will come on everytime the wheels slip, thats if you have the traction control activated.


I find it odd that your mechanic is charging $1000 to just check the trasmission. A tranny job on these cars usually ranges from $1200 to $2000 if your mechanic is honest & that includes repairing your problom. It's not the transmission that costs a lot of money, it's the tight space to work because of that Huge V8 engine in the way. $1000 to just check it out is too much, so how much would he charge fixing it of replacing it???

Most common tranny issue with these cars are the Torque Converters from the 1999 to 2002 years. 1995 - 1998 has an advantage becuase it has 15HP less so they don't force that little FWD Tranny that much. If you have a bad Torque converter, usually you would know if you hear a whinning/scrapping noise at a cold start.

Live up hear in Snowy Connecticut so I now what these cars do in the winter. Plus I've been drinving many of them since 2003.

How many miles u'r car has?

 

[Joeychgo]

Sounding alot like your really seeing the traction control light.... Double check.

If it is your tranny. One thing you can try, is doing a complete fluid change and add a bottle of Lucas Transmission Treatment. Being that you just bought the car, you should do this anyway.

Before you let this mech do anything, go to another one. Second opinions are encouraged.

 

[motorgirl76]

99problems

ok, to start, my car has 111,500 miles on it. And it is the Check transmission on the message board, which comes on about 45 minutes after starting and driving and then when you turn the car off, it goes off as well. It only has a problem shifting hard when the message board says Check transmission. I will change out the filter and fluid completely to see if that helps. I did get it back from that mech and I got a print out of the codes, of course I do not know what they mean. But he did say that it was a torque converter slip, and would need to be fixed, but it would not leave me stranded. Does anyone know what this SHOULD run me as far as money goes? So I don't get ripped off. Thanks for all of your input, it is so much appreciated!

 

[pokeeto2]

Depends, how your mech is willing to work for. Usually Tranny jobs on these cars run as low $1300 to a more common price of $1500 to $1900.

Like Said, It's not the Tranny or the Torque Converter that costs much. It's the Tight work space to work. Huge Engine in the way and the Tranny is Tightly Cramped.

My Dad One time bought a Tranny from a JY for an 850 Series Volvo. the Only way to get access to the tranny was dropping the Half Chassis in Front, and The chassis is where the engine was mounted. ( And the Engine and Tranny in These cars are Much smaller than of the Continental, but the width of the car isn't much different as the Lincoln.

the Bright side is, What you paid for the car is It's Price and it's not a bad one if it''s clean. Once You do the Tranny repair, Little Elese can go wrong.
Even if the Mech said that you won't be stranded. Fix the issue as soon as you can, that way you'll help prevent any further damage to the Tranny.
And most Tranny Shops cover you for a year and sometimes more.