2004 Explorer. Jerks on occasion.

[mscorneal]

I'm a new member. My 2004 Explorer has 125k miles and it intermittently jerks and acts as though it is not going to keep going. It feels like a drivetrain problem as there appears to be some grinding. I've taken it to two (2) dealers and neither can easily diagnose the problem. The first one wants to replace the brake pressure switch and the second one wants me to leave it for a few days (and $250 diagnostic fee) for the 'drivetrain team' to figure out the problem.
The transmission has never been serviced. It was the that same second dealer that recommended against changing the tranny fluid because it might 'make matters worse' by thinning out the fluid.
The issue clearly comes and goes. Any advice?

 

[Liska]

I'm a new member. My 2004 Explorer has 125k miles and it intermittently jerks and acts as though it is not going to keep going. It feels like a drivetrain problem as there appears to be some grinding. I've taken it to two (2) dealers and neither can easily diagnose the problem. The first one wants to replace the brake pressure switch and the second one wants me to leave it for a few days (and $250 diagnostic fee) for the 'drivetrain team' to figure out the problem.
The transmission has never been serviced. It was the that same second dealer that recommended against changing the tranny fluid because it might 'make matters worse' by thinning out the fluid.
The issue clearly comes and goes. Any advice?

Does it do it right when you first start up the car, or while you're driving? For a while, mine was going that when i first started up and went to back out of a parking spot. Do the RPMs rise in a crazy manner at all?

 

[mscorneal]

It occurs only when driving, only on occasion, but appears to be more often now. It has nothing to do with the RPMs. It's been doing it on & off for at least 40k miles. I had the front differential checked and serviced because the sound seemed to be more from the front, but that did not cure the problem.

 

[Liska]

It occurs only when driving, only on occasion, but appears to be more often now. It has nothing to do with the RPMs. It's been doing it on & off for at least 40k miles. I had the front differential checked and serviced because the sound seemed to be more from the front, but that did not cure the problem.

Hmm okay, not the same issue as mine, then. My problem resulted from putting a brand of oil or gas in that it didn't like- my car threw a hissy fit until I switched to a different brand, then the problem went away. I hope someone can come in and help you out with a solution!

 

[1Aauto]

Is there a check engine light on? If there is have the code ran and it'll tell you what's setting the light off and more than likely causing the issue.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 2002-2005 section. The transmission fluid should have been changed a long time ago. If you don't feel comfortable replacing the fluid, then reuse the old fluid, and replace the filter. Strain the fluid with a wire mesh or an old under shirt before you reuse it.

 

[cross6]

Mine would randomly jerk like that at speed, and a new fuel pump & filter fixed it.