04 Explorer with RPM surge climbing an incline

[Joscibo]

My RPM's are surging 2-300 when climbing a hill the go up and come down. I have been told by a master mechanic it is torque converter lock up problem. If so will it be fixed by doing a tranny service on my 04?

 

[fusseli]

Have you ever changed your fuel filter? That was the culprit for my surging back around the 115k mark.

 

[Joscibo]

Have you ever changed your fuel filter? That was the culprit for my surging back around the 115k mark.

I just picked one up today. I'm hoping to change it tomorrow. Planning a tranny flush and matching 4 tires. It has matching set 2 are almost slick and front 2 are really good.

 

[Joscibo]

Have you ever changed your fuel filter? That was the culprit for my surging back around the 115k mark.

I ordered wheels today for a 17 inch Explorer that I plan on blasting and powder coating to use a matched set of 17 inch tires I have. I'm hoping this solves the 4X4 problem with a missed match set.

 

[fusseli]

That should do the trick. Hopefully your tcase isn't damaged...

 

[Joscibo]

That should do the trick. Hopefully your tcase isn't damaged...

Cured the problem now a tranny fluid change for insurance purposes. Not sure how many miles are on it so I'm changing it soon.

 

[Joscibo]

Tonight I drove the Explorer out of town and found I am still having the same issue with surging RPM. It acts as if it needs to downshift and ounce it does its fine. I have read around a bit and plugged exhaust seems like it could be possible as a problem here as well. I'm going to flush the tranny and change the filter to see if this cured it. If not I have another 04 donor vehicle I can steel the exhaust from to see if that fixes it. The tranny was a rebuild in April of 2010 is what it said on the torque converter when I had the engine out. Tranny fluid changes really help shifting as I have found in the past and I plan on using the Schaeffer's 204SAT product as it has worked very well for me in the past.

 

[Joscibo]

Yesterday I changed the filter and tranny oil in the 04 Explorer and I am still experiencing trouble when climbing slight hills to larger hills with RPM fluctuation of 2-400 RPM's. it feels like it is struggling with OD torque converter lock up. The tranny pan looked extremely clean hardly any fuzzies on the magnet. The tranny is a rebuild from April of 2010 and as far as the miles on I'm not sure as I bought the Explorer used with a blown engine. My question I have is there an electronic issue that I should be looking for?

 

[fusseli]

You sure the whole tranny was rebuilt and not just the torque converter, it could be the servo bore issue not being able to hold 5th/OD under load..?

 

[Joscibo]

You sure the whole tranny was rebuilt and not just the torque converter, it could be the servo bore issue not being able to hold 5th/OD under load..?

I guess I assume its been rebuilt entirely. Servo bore is that buried in internally or accessible fairly easy? I have a parts Explorer with a good tranny and can use some parts if needed.

 

[Joscibo]

You sure the whole tranny was rebuilt and not just the torque converter, it could be the servo bore issue not being able to hold 5th/OD under load..?

Any idea how hard it is to do the servo bore? I'm looking to sell this rig soon and need to cure this if I can.