Strange gauge error message?

[thatchman1]

I was making a somewhat agressive pass today on a slight incline, around 35 - 60 MPH, and I heard the sound inside the cabin barely over the radio that the vehicle makes when you save a driver's location profile-- I looked at the gauges and for about 1 second I saw an E in the gear selection, I think. It was in the area that usually says D5.

I didn't experience any kind of transmission herky jerk or any other feelings of abnormality, and the temp was normal. No weird sounds.

Was this indicating a transmission problem? Is that a known place to display errors?

I just bought the car a couple weeks ago and have put a couple thousand miles on it already. I haven't noticed any other abnormalities, but haven't gotten around to asking if the transmission fluid had ever been changed recently, etc. etc. all regular maintenance beyond oil/air filter/gas filter/brakes/rotors.

I'm interested to see if this is a clear certain problem, a strange fluke or what it could be! I don't have a manual, and it seems the 2000 manual isn't downloadable from the Lincoln site or here, for some reason. I may try to find a 2001 one.

 

[NYC LS8]

2001 owner's manual: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/2001LincolnLS-OwnersManual.pdf

 

[02lsv8sport]

I seem to remember that some of these cars have a phantom beep like you experienced and I think an E also appears momentarily. To my knowledge this is normal and nothing to worry about. I think it usually does not happen that often. Anybody who has experienced this want to chime in?

 

[JerzyHustler]

Unfortunately, I have experienced this and $1300 later I found out that it was a clear sign the Tranny was going. Basically, the same thing happend, I first started getting that E error on the transmission but it wasn't storing any codes though. Then I started feeling the Tranny slip, and then it finally stored the codes about 3-4 weeks after noticing the E error.

Not saying this is your case, but just start preparing for the worse. Also, this all happend after I had all 4 O2 sensors replaced.

 

[thatchman1]

Unfortunately, I have experienced this and $1300 later I found out that it was a clear sign the Tranny was going. Basically, the same thing happend, I first started getting that E error on the transmission but it wasn't storing any codes though. Then I started feeling the Tranny slip, and then it finally stored the codes about 3-4 weeks after noticing the E error.

Not saying this is your case, but just start preparing for the worse. Also, this all happend after I had all 4 O2 sensors replaced.

Thanks for the info everyone, I confirmed that E does mean transmission error. The 2001 manual said if it stays on it is really a serious issue and you shouldn't drive it in that state. Not that having it display is a "non-issue".

I've never had to have a transmission replaced. I'd guess I should at least make sure it repeats the problem, and get it done before it completely fails?

I'm usually an overreactor and I'd have it in there tomorrow, they'd tear it apart, charge me, and it would end up some other sensor or component causing me the problem. I can't say the transmission seems to be the smoothest shifter under stress, but it is an older car, so I didn't know what to expect... and its perfectly smooth under normal driving conditions. This was a "pass the tractor trailer that is going up hill" driving condition.

 

[onecrazygm]

when mine came up it was just over heated cuz the car was in a certian hight gear for to long i let the car chill for a lil bit and went a away

 

[thatchman1]

Interesting, quite a variety of results here from what appeared as t6he same error. I haven't had the error since, and I haven't been grandma driving but I haven't been hammering down either... Hm.

I had a 91 buick regal which was exhibiting some transmission issues and changing the transmission fluid resolved the issue. I may do that unless any of you would advise otherwise. Some fluid changes that don't happen frequently can cause issues on certain cars, I've also heard.