We had our first automatic overdrive transmission with the purchase of a new 1982 LTD. In the case of that car and every other one up to and including our current 1996 Grand Marquis with 133k miles, when you are in traffic and have to hold a speed that is right at the point where the transmission wants to shift up or down you get a rattling/clattering noise. If you are able to press down on the accelerator or brake slightly, it will go away. I had a 1978 LTD II with the 302 and the C4 and that transmission did the same thing. But older Fords, even with the C4, did not do that. For example, we had a 1974 Torino for 14 years. That had the 302 and C4. Never did that. But the newer ones have always done that, right from the time they were new.
What did Ford do to cause this problem that did not exist before? Most of the time, it happens whether in automatic overdrive OR clicked out into regular drive with these transmissions. And for all of the emphasis on computers and high-tech, the change from vacuum-shifted to electronic controls did not include anything to eliminate the problem.
Thoughts?
Just as a bit of an addendum: That 1982 LTD had the 302 and the 7200 variable-venturi carb. When making a slow-speed turn into the garage, the engine would frequently stall. You could start it right back up again, but if the wheels were turned then the moment that you put the car into drive the engine would immediately stall. It would do that all day repeatedly unless you straightened out the wheels and then started the engine and shifted into drive. I was actually failed out of my first driver's test not because of any fault of mine, but just because you could NOT parallel park that car because it would not stay running when the wheels were turned while attempting to park. Over the years, the car would also stall at unexpected times in traffic. We had the car in the shop repeatedly and the carb was always being adjusted, to no avail. We eventually got rid of the car after 9 years and 27,000 miles. We just never had any confidence in the car and it's a wonder we kept it as long as we did. Years later, I read that the 'proper' starting procedure was to turn the ignition to ON before pressing down on the accelerator. My parents had always pressed down on the accelerator and then turned the ignition to START. I've wondered if that caused a problem with the carb. But I've talked with a fair share of people who have said they used the latter starting procedure with Ford carbs and had no problems.
Any insights would be appreciated.
What did Ford do to cause this problem that did not exist before? Most of the time, it happens whether in automatic overdrive OR clicked out into regular drive with these transmissions. And for all of the emphasis on computers and high-tech, the change from vacuum-shifted to electronic controls did not include anything to eliminate the problem.
Thoughts?
Just as a bit of an addendum: That 1982 LTD had the 302 and the 7200 variable-venturi carb. When making a slow-speed turn into the garage, the engine would frequently stall. You could start it right back up again, but if the wheels were turned then the moment that you put the car into drive the engine would immediately stall. It would do that all day repeatedly unless you straightened out the wheels and then started the engine and shifted into drive. I was actually failed out of my first driver's test not because of any fault of mine, but just because you could NOT parallel park that car because it would not stay running when the wheels were turned while attempting to park. Over the years, the car would also stall at unexpected times in traffic. We had the car in the shop repeatedly and the carb was always being adjusted, to no avail. We eventually got rid of the car after 9 years and 27,000 miles. We just never had any confidence in the car and it's a wonder we kept it as long as we did. Years later, I read that the 'proper' starting procedure was to turn the ignition to ON before pressing down on the accelerator. My parents had always pressed down on the accelerator and then turned the ignition to START. I've wondered if that caused a problem with the carb. But I've talked with a fair share of people who have said they used the latter starting procedure with Ford carbs and had no problems.
Any insights would be appreciated.
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