Was driving the son's 89 Grand Marquis with 67k (yes, 67K) miles. Over the last 2.5 yrs and 20K miles, the AOD has been just like it should be, with light throttle 1-2 shift around 12 mph, 2-3 shift around 20 and into OD around 40. A little soon for my tastes, but always very consistent.
Thurday, started just like usual on the 1 mile trip to work. Then, during a mid-day trip, about the time it warmed up it began slipping while in OD. I thought at first that it had jumped into neutral, and shifted into N then back to OD. No more slipping, but now shifts were coming later and more random. A fluid check showed level good, but fluid just starting to smell a little off.
Took to mechanic who did a fluid flush. I know about the TV cable issues, but he confirmed that the TV cable looked just as it should. Now, light throttle shifts are all later with 1-2 coming at 17-20, 2-3 around 25-27 and OD not before 45. Also, the 2-3 shift is very smooth and gradual, more like on the electronic trannys on my 93 Crown Vic and the 94 Club Wagon I used to own. A little more driving after the fluid change had it slip during OD again a time or two, and an instance or two of a 1-2 shift that is really 1-2-1-2 before 2nd takes hold.
I know that this is not right, but am torn on whether it needs to be driven more to run the clean fluid all through things, or to park it. Unless some of you have any advice, I think I am about to try a tranny shop to take a look at it. Any ideas? If it matters, the first 22 years of its life, the car only got 47K miles put on it, so lots of sitting between startups over many years. I recall checking and smelling fluid when we got it, and all seemed fine. Also, the kid drives very conservatively (you would not believe the gas mileage he has eked out of the thing) and much of its recent miles have been on flat interstates. Thoughts?
Thurday, started just like usual on the 1 mile trip to work. Then, during a mid-day trip, about the time it warmed up it began slipping while in OD. I thought at first that it had jumped into neutral, and shifted into N then back to OD. No more slipping, but now shifts were coming later and more random. A fluid check showed level good, but fluid just starting to smell a little off.
Took to mechanic who did a fluid flush. I know about the TV cable issues, but he confirmed that the TV cable looked just as it should. Now, light throttle shifts are all later with 1-2 coming at 17-20, 2-3 around 25-27 and OD not before 45. Also, the 2-3 shift is very smooth and gradual, more like on the electronic trannys on my 93 Crown Vic and the 94 Club Wagon I used to own. A little more driving after the fluid change had it slip during OD again a time or two, and an instance or two of a 1-2 shift that is really 1-2-1-2 before 2nd takes hold.
I know that this is not right, but am torn on whether it needs to be driven more to run the clean fluid all through things, or to park it. Unless some of you have any advice, I think I am about to try a tranny shop to take a look at it. Any ideas? If it matters, the first 22 years of its life, the car only got 47K miles put on it, so lots of sitting between startups over many years. I recall checking and smelling fluid when we got it, and all seemed fine. Also, the kid drives very conservatively (you would not believe the gas mileage he has eked out of the thing) and much of its recent miles have been on flat interstates. Thoughts?
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