I just bought a super clean 2000 Crown Victoria with 92K miles. The problem that is showing up is a shudder after shifting into OD. Doesn't do this all the time but it is anoying. It will do the shudder sometime when driving at a constant speed. Any advice as to what needs to be checked / fixed to stop this problem?? Can't tell if this is a transmission problem or if the motor is just shaking or jerking at steady speed. It's driving me nuts!!

 

It might help if you had the vehicle checked for any pending codes. Places like Autozone will do this for free.
If there any codes stored, it would provide some direction. Not all codes will illuminate the check engine lamp.

 

This is a common problem with that transmission.It's the torque converter and worn out fluid.

You might luck out by dropping the pan, change the filter using a Motorcraft (making sure you get the orange seal from the old filter which may be stuck in the valve body oil inlet, a right angle pick works good ) , clean the pan, its magnet,reinstall and drain the torque converter. 2000's should have a converter drain plug. Use a large capacity drain pan. The original pan gasket should be reusable. Reinstall the converter drain plug and the oil pan. Torque the pan bolts to 10-12 ftlbs and slowly refill. You will need around 12 quarts. This is important- use a licensed MERCON V fluid.Put in about 5-6 quarts and briefly start it up to get fluid to the torque converter. Then carefully refilll being careful not to overfill. Being cold, I fill up so that the fluid level (running) is in the low to middle portion of the add portion on the dipstick. Go for atleast a five mile drive to warm up the trans.When idling, run the gear shift briefly in each postion ending back in park prior to checking fluid level.

In short, a refill of new MERCON V usually solves the shudder issue on these transmissions.Don't be alarmed if you find a yellow plastic plug on the pan's bottom. Toss it out, it's a factory shipping plug. Its presense will tell you if the fluid was ever changed before.

 

I checked the codes, Zero codes. Haven't tried changing the filter yet, no time. I read about some kind of additive that enhances Mercon V fluid. Has anyone tried this? It is a lot cheaper than fluid change but is it worth a try?

 

There are a lot of super clean vehicles for sale,,, clean on the outside, but starved for good maintenance on the inside..
Unless you know the vehicle's maintenance history, a trans filter and fluid change would at least assure you that part was taken care of.

Band aid fixes are just that, temporary !

It is a nice vehicle and you want to be able to depend on it, Why skimp now?

 

I have little choice for now, it's walk, or, "band aid". social security only goes so far. I have to try cheap temporary "fix", until $ becomes available. The fluid change is in the future but for now is just out of reach.

 

If you are going to band aid it, try adding a tube of Lubeguard Shudder Fix.It's the best for converter shudder.You can get anywhere.Add enough for your transmission's capacity which is around 12 quarts.

https://www.lubegard.com/products/isf/

 

I can't be in a better mood! Thank you for that info. I put 12 oz. of Lubeguard in my transmission and only got 1 slight shudder when I first drove it. After driving about 40 miles it hasn't shuddered once! My very next project is to get the fluid and filter changed. I know now that I dont have a "Bad mechanical problem"! Again, Thank you for the info!!

 

Sounds good!