2003 shifting

[kcnz]

4x4 engaging on pavement?

This is getting frustrating. When I accelerateing hard the explorer jerks slightly when running about 4500 to 5000 rpms. I does not do it when you start from a stop and then step on it. However, if your running in 2nd or 3rd at low rpms going 20 to 45 mph, then step on it, It downshifts hard and then starts jerking a little bit when it climbs in the rpms. What I've come to for a conclusion, is that the hard jerking (when it downshifts) is somehow causing the computer to think the tires are slipping (this is all done on dry pavement in town or on major highways) and then trys to engage the 4x4 (which causes the explorer to hesitate and slightly jerk). It was vibrating and making a light noise in the front one time while climbing over 50 when I stepped on it real hard. I don't want to screw up the 4x4, it should not be engaging on the pavement. I'm thinking about doing the brown wire switch and wondering if it is possible on a 2003 (that would help me diagnose it). I could also tap a voltmeter into the brown wire just to see if it is engaging the 4x4.

Any help is appreciated, thanks

Casey

 

[draft]

This seemed normal in my girlfriends previous '02 XLT, I absolutely hated the shifting compared to my '98, it wasn't smooth at all, and jerked quite a few times between 3rd to 4th. This was only 2WD, so it doesn't have much to do with your 4x4, but I've driven a few 3rd generations, and I just hate the shifting timing compared to the 2nd generation.

 

[kcnz]

What made me think of it being the 4x4 is that it only does it when I step on the gas hard when I'm in second or third. It will then downshift 1 or 2 gears, start to accelerate but jerks some like it's engaging the 4x4. If I start off the line and step on the gas from a dead stop, it doesn't do it. There's a couple times where if your going 25 to 30 and you step on it hard but don't let off tell you get over 60 it starts to make a slightly louder noise in the front end, similiar to what it would do if the 4x4 was engaged. If you keep your foot in it and don't let off, it doesn't get enough slack to unengage the 4x4 and would make noises at higher speeds. And so I would think, and that's what gave me the conclusion that it is the 4x4. The shifting is fine, it's the hesitation and slight jerking that is not. I sprained my knee earlier this week otherwise I would probably have the switch in already, but that will tell me if it is the 4x4 or not, either that or take the front driveshaft off. If it's not that, I would think there was somthin wrong with the transmission. I would assume if it was ignition related, it would do it all the time and not just while downshifting followed by hard acceleration.

 

[kcnz]

I got the switch wired in today and it works, so I will see if it makes a difference or not when I take my fiance home tonight. I still can't believe a switch in a little wire makes that much of a difference. The brown wire is pretty cool but anyways. We will see if it helps the jerking problem.

 

[kcnz]

Ok, it stopped jerking, and as soon as I flip the swith and engage the front end the syptoms come back. When I take off with a light pedal then get to about 25-30 and step on it, it downshifts and then jerks a little bit a second or so after it downshifts. Is this a cause of the front end not being greased enough (not engaging smoothly) or is this normal? It is really noticable, although it's only noticable when you step on it hard. I'm glad I got rid of it with the brown wire trick, but it is kind of annoying that it does it stock. When my sprained knee gets better, i'll get under it and grease it up. It has 30,000 miles on it. I bought it with 29,000. I think it was a rental vehicle before I got it, so it probably needs some grease.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

It will be interesting to see how much the splicing the brown wire will effect my fuel economy if any.

 

[kcnz]

Anyone??

 

[03XLT]

My 03 XLT has done this since new. I have also driven others that did it. I don't it has anything to do with greasing anything. Let us know if greasing it up helps.