Just bought a 99' have some issues, tach, smoke, & tranny

[ksmustng]

I bought this car as a replacement to my 98 as I like the 99's interior a little more. Anyway, on this cross country journey it started out as smoking really bad on acceleration. The guy said it had been sitting for some time. That has somewhat cleared up now but still has a little smoke to it while sitting idle. I'm assuming it probably needs the 100k tune up.

Yesterday after I got the oil changed and a flat repaired I noticed the tach was dead. The car seemed to run okay but there was nothing from the tach. Then it started working again. Any ideas out there?

The last issue I have with the car is the tranny seems to shift really hard into 2nd when you've got your foot in it. It remind me of when I put a shift kit in the mustang. My 98 SHO never shifted like that.

There is no CEL on. And as far as I know none has ever flashed.

I do also have an unrelated question for another car that I bought out east. It's a 98 Taurus SE with a 3.0 auto. It will not shift into OD. It's tossing a code but I haven't come across a parts store on the journey yet that has a code reader. I'm almost certain it's going to be something electrical. Any ideas?

Here's to another 10 hours in the damn car. *begging* please make it home!!

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Transmission is probably due for a rebuild. It's not a shift kit it's just the trans slipping. You can try a flush and fill. That is your first step. Then add a transmission cooler.

Don't know about the tach... maybe your alternator is on the way out. I also don't know about the smoke.

 

[Primate]

The color of the smoke may help

 

[ksmustng]

The smoke seems dark. It smells like it's running really rich. I'm going to pull a couple of the front plugs and see what condition they are in.

 

[ksmustng]

I've found that my IMRC cable is broke. Anyone found a cheap replacement and an easy way to fix the issue?

 

[nothingtoseehere]

I'll get a price on a replacement one from NESHO for you.

 

[ksmustng]

Thanks... Don't suppose anyone would know the plug gap on motorcraft plugs right off hand?

 

[Ian Macoomb]

.042"-.050" IIRC. I'd go narrower a little bit and make the coils last a little longer.

 

[ksmustng]

Well I pulled one out and it was at .054" so I guess they might need to be changed. They didn't look burnt or anything. Maybe I could just re-gap..

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Used IMRC, in stock, 80.00 plus shipping ... send an email to [email protected]

 

[stephen newberg]

Or just wire the butterflies open and never have to consider it all again.

pax, smn

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Not something I would do, but yes, you could wire them open.

 

[stephen newberg]

Why not?

pax, smn

 

[nothingtoseehere]

I dont see any "benefit" short of not paying for an IMRC ... which is really not a benefit in my eyes. I know it worked out great for paul, but pauls car is another creature all together.

 

[stephen newberg]

It has worked fine for me, and from what I have read here in a couple of threads on the topic, for most anyone that has done it in climates that do not get exceptionally cold. Any time you can simplify a motor without causing harm it seems to me that doing so is a good idea.

pax, smn

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Well, the ONLY way I would ever do it would be to remove the plates and shaft and fill the holes as Uncle Nimz did. Wiring them with a zip tie, to me, seems ridonkulous. Not saying it WOULD happen, but ever see and old zip tie that cracks apart?

Personally, I would MUCH rather keep the LIM clean and eliminate the issue at the source and spend the money on a custom set of BBBs

I like the butterflies, especially when they open.

Different strokes for different folks

 

[stephen newberg]

I might remove the plates and shafts next time I have it apart. But the zip ties work just fine. I have checked them a couple of times already and they show no signs of deterioration. And, should they do so, they could be replaced with stainless wire. My LIMs are clean, that is really not the issue. I find having extra gear that does nothing more central. Hence, the IMRC box is just gone, and all is fine, which is -really- getting to the source.

But you are right, different strokes.

pax, smn

 

[stephen newberg]

PS: And my butterflies are open -all- the time.

pax, smn

 

[rodneyj]

regarding the IMRC, I replaced the broken cable with a bigger one from a bike shop, and it seems to be holding up fine, and it was only a couple of bucks.

rj