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Bought my first LS. Couple questions

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Posted by: myfirstlincoln

I just recently got a teaching job and decided it was time to buy a "new" car. I've owned a couple Camaro's so when I heard the LS was rear wheel drive and had the option for a v8 I started searching for one. Also, I see a silver LS on my way to work everyday and I've always liked the styling.
Luckily I found what I was looking for -
2003 LS Sport - Tundra green, v8, 40,000 miles, seems to be pretty loaded minus dvd navigation. I attached a pic - hopefully it works.

Now for the question(s). I've searched this site and noticed a lot of people claiming that these transmissions are a little shakey. When I test drove the car (3 different times on 3 different days) everything seemed fine. Now that I've had the car for about 3 weeks, I've noticed that when I am on the highway and going about 60-70 for a long period of time and get off the highway, when I come to a stop I can feel the downshift (I believe it is 3-2). I was just wondering if anyone else had this problem and if so, what can fix it? Also, the 2-3 shift seems a little slow/sloppy, but that might just be me nitpicking. Otherwise, the transmission seems to be working well - no clunky shifts out of park to drive or reverse and it does run very smooth.

Also, I read on this site that the chrome on the wheels is of pretty poor quality. I've noticed that one of my wheels is chipping pretty bad, while the other 3 are in pretty good shape. I hate to ask a question that has probably been answered a million times, but what's the deal with the chrome?

So far I love the car and hopefully I can have these problems addressed. I plan to take the car to a dealer to have them check it out, but I would like to get a little more information before I do so - see if this is a fairly common problem.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Posted by: camthman

what state are you located in? I only see people complain about the wheels when they live in a snow like climate. Salt roads will destroy chrome.

Posted by: myfirstlincoln

I live in PA so we do see some nasty winters and salt. The original owner was from New York and then moved to PA.

Posted by: camthman

Quote:

Originally Posted by myfirstlincoln

I live in PA so we do see some nasty winters and salt. The original owner was from New York and then moved to PA.

Well I guess that could be the case. Or the previous owner like driving in rocky terrain.

what do you mean you "feel" the downshifts?

Posted by: myfirstlincoln

Some of those streets in New York are like driving on rocky terrain. Guess I'll just have to buy some new wheels, although I do like the look of the stockers. Maybe I'll keep em for winter and get a nice summer set. Thanks for the reply.

I can feel a bump/jerk when the car is coming to a stop.

Posted by: camthman

Quote:

Originally Posted by myfirstlincoln

Some of those streets in New York are like driving on rocky terrain. Guess I'll just have to buy some new wheels, although I do like the look of the stockers. Maybe I'll keep em for winter and get a nice summer set. Thanks for the reply.

I can feel a bump/jerk when the car is coming to a stop.

Thats EXACTLY what I would suggest.

... Dont know what to tell you about the tranny. Someone will chime in. Might have a sticky valve.

Posted by: myfirstlincoln

Thanks, I had a similar problem with one of my Camaro's (I would feel a bump when coming to stop) and the TV cable needed to be tweaked a little and the problem was solved. Unfortunately, I know nothing about these transmissions and the fact that they are a sealed unit and I can't even check the fluid is foreign to me.

Posted by: King03LS8

Nice LS, welcome.

Time for an intake, LSE Grille and painted rear-surround!

Posted by: TwansLS

2-3 an 3-2 are not the best shifts in these cars...

Posted by: NYC LS8

Nice car, man. Welcome aboard. I used to fool around with some broad that lived in Whitehall.

Oh yeah, the chrome on these wheels - and every Lincoln I've ever owned - is horrible. I never understood cheap chrome plating on a car that cost over 40k.

Posted by: trilkb

i can feel the downshifts aswell...only i feel them on the 3-2 and 2-1. if i unplug the battery for an hr or so and let it all reset, it goes away, then after about 50 miles, it comes back lol. i just live with it. car seems to do better when your not worried about avoiding hitting

and what not.

i started racing it a few weeks ago, car hasnt run better since ive owned it haha.

Posted by: lseguy

The tranny is fairly reliable. Im not certain in all my years on here, that I've heard of more than one (if that) tranny completely failing, leaking, etc. Some of had solenoid packs fail, but overall, the general consensus is that the trannys are strong and reliable.
as far as performance? LOT to be desired especially in the 3-2 and 2-3 arena. Get used to it.

Posted by: myfirstlincoln

Thanks for all the welcomes and all the information. I guess I'll just get used to the tranny and enjoy all the positives the car has to offer rather than worry. Sucks about the chrome, but I guess it just gives me an excuse to buy new wheels

One final question, I've seen some LS's with smaller passenger/drive headrests and was wondering if I could buy them somewhere and if they are interchangeable? The ones I have now are enormous and look really strange. I assume they would cost an arm and a leg at a dealer, but I was hoping I might stumble upon some and wanted to know what years will work with my 03.

Again, thanks for all the help. I'll try to get a few more pics when I clean her up in the next few days.

Posted by: lseguy

You have the 03+ catchers mitt headrests. The 2000-2002 came with the smaller ones. They fit, but Im not certain if the "angle" is the same once they are installed. I put some 2003 (just a brief test fit) in my 2000 LS that I had, and for some reason I seem to recall the feel being..not the same. Might have been just me not being used to them at the time. But something to check for..Oh..and the color was slightly off. So just make sure if you go that route, the color matches

Posted by: tireman

The tranny has a mind of its own, as they say. It learns your driving habits and adjusts to them. You can unhook the battery for a while and let the tranny relearn your driving style. Now the bad news,,,,,,,,,those trannys leak. You must have it checked by the dealer or competent garage. There is a plug in the back of the unit, you stick your finger in to check the fluid level. Stupid if you ask me, where is the old dip stick? If you do not have it checked how do you know that it does not need fluid or leaks???????????????? At 82K mine started whining. Took it to dealer,,,,$3500 for new tranny, no fix possible. Out of warranty. I never had mine checked and I suspect the fluid leaked out as there is a lot of info around on this.

Posted by: G-RELL

Welcome, nice color. ENJOY.

Posted by: clubairth

Make SURE you check the transmission fluid level the right way!!!! You do NOT stick your finger in anything! There is no dipstick. The car must be perfectly level. The drain plug in the transmission pan has a smaller screw in the middle of it. This is removed. If a small amount of fluid comes out, your OK. If nothing comes out you fill the transmission from the plug in the transmission case until fluid just dribbles out the small hole. Then replace the small bolt. They do not leak much if any? Search the board, it's pretty rare.

It sounds like you might need the solenoids replaced. They can be replaced by just dropping the pan. Kind of expensive about $280-$400 for the part plus labor, depending where you get it. It is an adaptive transmission so I would check the fluid level and continue driving the car. See if you get any improvement after a month or so. Also be aware that your car may not have the latest programming updates. This can only be checked by a dealer.
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Posted by: myfirstlincoln

Took it to a dealer and got the entry code for the keypad on the door and also had them check the trans fluid. They said everything was ok and the fluid still looked fresh. I have the battery unplugged right now and I'm hoping the tranny will "learn" my style of driving to make this a little better. If it doesn't change in the next few weeks I'll take it back to the dealer and see if they can find a problem. I can only feel the downshift (bump) after the cars been running for a little while (warm) and it only happens right around 15 mph as I'm slowing down/coming to a stop.