tranny problems

1990 linocln town car, 3rd gear dosnt shift in. i heard that 3rd gear isnt mechanical, its electrical. does anyone know whats the problem, is my transmission totally shot?

Don't know unless I could drive it.

But I can educate you on what transmission you have and what it could be.

Your 1990 Town Car has a AOD- Automatic Overdrive Transmission which has been in most cars since the mid 80s and the last year of it was 1991 for the full size Fords. If it comes down to the case of your transmission being unuseable then it is possible to get a transmission from any 1988-1991 full size Ford (that would mean Crown Victoria or the Grand Marquis).

There are to many problems but the Linkage on your car is mechanical not electronic. It's could be as simple as an adjustment or as major as a rebuild. I know of they being a problem with TV cable being out of whack and making the transmission not shift into OD or otherwise known as fourth gear.


Transmissions are really something that most shadetree mechanics don't mess with unless they know what they are doing. It is best left in the Hands of professionals.

Good luck

Definately check and/or adjust the TV Cable before you move on to the next step. It likes to work loose and cause shifting problems.

do you know anything about an electric shift solenoid.where is this tv cable located. let me describe more. the car will run normal until around 30-40mph then it acts like it was put into nuetral. because it revs. then i have to wait till it drops back down to 30 and then it rides after a while it will rev.

I don't have a TV Cable in my '96, neither do my books.
These threads below on another board are related to TV Cable in some way... :screwy:

I hope that helps you out. Another point to cover here.. make sure your transmission fluid is flushed regularly, filter replaced and add two bottles of Lubegard Red (http://lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf.html) to the fresh fluid. Then make sure you keep your fluid at the proper level.

Here's the other threads:

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001175)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001595)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001654)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001661)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001782)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001793)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001846)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001937)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001954)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002022)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002053)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002084)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002095)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002326)

Another TV Cable Related Thread (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002345)

That is definately the TV Cable out of adjustment, check those links that Towncar gave you for the solution and location of it.