# My jerky Lincoln **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** continental, lincoln\ **Created:** [December 15, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795 "2009-12-15T15:36:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![webnicks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@webnicks](https://community.cartalk.com/u/webnicks)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795/1 "2009-12-15T15:36:25Z")
I have a ratheer unique problem with my 1999 Lincoln Continental. The car jerks/ misses when it goes into 3rd gear at about 35-40 MPH. It feels a lot like trying to drive a standard transmission in 4th gear at 20 MPH. Once the car reaches about 60-70 MPH it smooths out but even then there is a slight jerkiness. I had the transmission rebuilt but that did not solve the problem. Since then I have tried new plugs, new coils, a new fuel pump and replaced the fuel filter all to no avail. The computer is showing no codes and everything appears to be running within specifications. I (and the “Experts”) I have worked with are stumped. Anybody else out there with a similar problem that has been resolved. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795/2 "2009-12-15T20:24:21Z")
Maybe it’s time for a compression test. ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795/3 "2009-12-15T20:26:45Z")
I don’t know too much about the transaxle in the Contis. It must be a real pain to you that it is still doing this after someone led to to invest in a trans rebuild, not to mention 8 new coil$! Was the fuel pressure low? It sounds like someone is doing a lot of guessing. You must have a tach in this car. What are the rpms doing when it is “jerking”? If you get no joy here, I suggest [linconsonline.com](http://linconsonline.com) ---
**Author:** ![webnicks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@webnicks](https://community.cartalk.com/u/webnicks)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795/4 "2009-12-15T22:51:51Z")
Circuitsmith: I hate to think I could be looking at a cracked head. From your experience shouldn’t I be looking at a jerkiness that occurs thruout the transmission shifting cycle not just when it reaches “lock-up”? What do you think. Thanks. webnicks ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795/5 "2009-12-16T19:15:03Z")
> not just when it reaches “lock-up” I didn’t get that from your first post. It’s beyond me how a transmission could make an engine misfire. Low compression (without oil burning)can be caused by a valve problem or a head gasket, not just a cracked head. How did the old plugs look? ---
**Author:** ![webnicks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@webnicks](https://community.cartalk.com/u/webnicks)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795/6 "2009-12-16T21:19:49Z")
A couple of the plugs were covered with oil and a couple were somewhat rusty. Otherwise they looked fine. I also forgot to note that this problem is much more pronounced when the engine is hot instead of cold if that helps. Thanks for your analysis. I look forward to any additional thoughts you have. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795/7 "2009-12-16T21:44:13Z")
The oil and rust were on the outside end of the plugs? I still think a compression test is the next step. ---
**Author:** ![Need\_A\_Horse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f6c823/32.png) [@Need\_A\_Horse](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Need_A_Horse)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795/8 "2009-12-16T22:59:14Z")
“like 20mph in 4th gear”. Bad compression - insufficient torque to smoothly carry the load. Was that you’re first thought? If not, what words make you think compression? ---
**Author:** ![webnicks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@webnicks](https://community.cartalk.com/u/webnicks)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-jerky-lincoln/40795/9 "2009-12-17T17:25:56Z")
The question that comes to my mind is why the car would only do this when it enters third gear and then only badly when the engine is hot?