Common Transmission Issues in the 86 Lincoln Town Car and How to Fix Them

The 1986 Lincoln Town Car‚ a symbol of luxury and comfort in its time‚ is known for its reliability but can experience transmission troubles as it ages. Here’s a breakdown of common transmission issues and their solutions⁚

1. Slipping or Sluggish Acceleration

• Worn Clutch Plates⁚ The friction material on clutch plates wears down over time‚ causing slippage.
• Low Transmission Fluid⁚ Insufficient fluid can lead to overheating and slippage.
• Contaminated Fluid⁚ Dirty fluid reduces friction and performance.
• Faulty Solenoid⁚ These control hydraulic pressure within the transmission‚ and a malfunction can affect shifting.

• Fluid Check and Replacement⁚ Regularly check transmission fluid level and replace it with the correct type.
• Clutch Plate Replacement⁚ If worn‚ replace the clutch plates with new ones.
• Transmission Filter Replacement⁚ Replace the filter to remove debris and contaminants.
• Solenoid Inspection and Replacement⁚ Test solenoids and replace faulty ones.

2. Rough Shifting or Gear Hunting

• Worn Valve Body⁚ The valve body controls fluid flow and can develop wear‚ affecting shifting.
• Faulty Governor⁚ This device senses vehicle speed and regulates shifting; malfunctioning can cause erratic shifts.
• Transmission Control Module (TCM) Issues⁚ The TCM receives sensor data and controls shifting; a malfunction can lead to problems.

• Valve Body Inspection and Repair/Replacement: Inspect the valve body for wear and repair or replace it if needed.
• Governor Replacement⁚ Replace the governor if it’s faulty.
• TCM Diagnosis and Repair/Replacement: Diagnose any TCM issues and repair or replace it if necessary.

3. Noises (Whining‚ Clunking‚ etc.)

• Low Transmission Fluid⁚ Lack of fluid can cause friction and noise.
• Worn Bearings⁚ Bearings in the transmission can wear out‚ producing noise.
• Damaged Gears⁚ Worn or damaged gears can create grinding or clunking noises.
• Loose Transmission Mount⁚ A loose mount can allow the transmission to vibrate‚ causing noise.

• Fluid Check and Replacement⁚ Ensure proper fluid level and replace it if necessary.
• Bearing Inspection and Replacement⁚ Inspect bearings and replace any damaged ones.
• Gear Inspection and Repair/Replacement: Inspect gears and repair or replace them if damaged.
• Transmission Mount Inspection and Tightening⁚ Check the mount and tighten it if loose.

4. Complete Transmission Failure

Cause⁚

• Severe Wear and Tear⁚ Extensive wear can lead to complete failure.
• Overheating⁚ Repeated overheating can damage internal components.
• Lack of Maintenance⁚ Neglecting fluid changes and other maintenance can accelerate wear.

Solutions⁚

• Transmission Replacement⁚ In most cases‚ a complete transmission replacement is necessary.
• Rebuild⁚ A rebuild may be possible depending on the extent of the damage.

Note⁚ While some repairs can be DIY‚ complex transmission issues are best left to qualified technicians. Early detection and maintenance can prevent major issues and extend the life of your 1986 Lincoln Town Car’s transmission.