Lincoln/Mercury Repair: Mercury transmission, mercury grand marquis, living room sofa

Question
I have a 2000 model Mercury Grand Marquis that I have put 66,000 miles on. On the way home from Texas yesterday, My overdrive gear went out! Now, when it tries to engage the overdrive it only goes in neutral. We have taken exceptional care of this car. Could the problem be a sensor or does it sound like a major problem??

Tom Clark

Answer
Hi Tom,

I just love these Grand Marquis. Like driving your living room sofa. The 4R70-W transmission in your car is fully electronic and does have a solenoid that makes overdrive or fourth gear happen. This problem could be electrical, but if it were, I feel it just wouldn't try to shift into overdrive. There should be a CEL (check engine light) on which would indicate a possible electronic failure. You might take a look at the fluid, in neutral, warm and running with the Emergency Brake On Please! If you are low, this could cause this issue and it means your leaking. I suggest you lock out the overdrive and take it over to a Cottman Transmission. I trust them and they will diagnose this for free. To find one near you: www.cottman.com. There is a coupon there on their website as well. Hope this helps.