Sign that transmission is about to go out....

[mdriggan]

This afternoon on the way to work, I noticed a slight jerking feeling when going up slight inclines on the interstate doing about 65-70 mph while in cruise control. On the way home tonight, I felt the same jerking feeling again, under the same conditions. Once I was on a two lane highway going about 45-50 mph, the jerking was gone, even going up hills and slight inclines. Does this sound like a sign that the transmission is about to go? This has happened before about 2 months ago, but went away ...until now.

Thanks for any input,
Michael

 

[Opera House]

Bucking under load is associated with wire or plug problems. I had that problem with my 97 even with plugs with only 6K. Found micro cracks on the insulator under boot. Even showed up on replacement plug 4K later. Solution was new wires because of carbon tracing in boot. This is next to zero as a transmission problem.

 

[X~FACTOR]

As I understand transmission does not give any signs that it is about to go. I've had only one experience with tranny and that was with a Ford Taurus. It showed no sign whatsoever. I'm with Opera, that is definitely an engine problem.

 

[85Dave]

That's what my 92 did. Spark plug wires cured the problem.

 

[Hartman]

My tranny just blew with NO warning whatsoever.

 

[SnowExploder]

When my transmission was going bad, I'd be at a complete stop and it would feel like someone rear-ended me, but that was my only "warning" type thing.

 

[DocVijay]

My only warning was that I suddenly no longer had first, second, or reverse gears. Other than that it worked fine.

 

[X~FACTOR]

My only warning was that I suddenly no longer had first, second, or reverse gears. Other than that it worked fine.

How long before it ALL stop working?

 

[MilesTeg]

This afternoon on the way to work, I noticed a slight jerking feeling when going up slight inclines on the interstate doing about 65-70 mph while in cruise control. On the way home tonight, I felt the same jerking feeling again, under the same conditions. Once I was on a two lane highway going about 45-50 mph, the jerking was gone, even going up hills and slight inclines. Does this sound like a sign that the transmission is about to go? This has happened before about 2 months ago, but went away ...until now.

Thanks for any input,
Michael

Other's have mentioned spark plugs/wire replacement. Start there, and if your problem isn't fixed, look into your fuel pump. I've had several vehicles with symptoms like yours that needed a new fuel pump. Just pray that if it needs replaced, it's not inside your gas tank! If so, you'd be in for lots of $$$ as to replace it the tank has to be drained and removed to get to the pump.

Hope this helps,
MilesTeg

 

[DocVijay]

How long before it ALL stop working?

Not really sure. It was still under the warranty, so I took it in and they fixed it. Stuck valve caused the whole thing to self destruct. Torque converter was completely scorched.

I figure I drove around for about a week after the problems first started (intermittent). Once I lost a few gears for good, I took it in.

 

[jasonb]

the main sign is that if your vehicle is an explorer.. the tranny is probably going bad soon.. as well as the ball joints.

 

[Sallad420]

This may sound dumb, or obvious, but have you tried the MAF cleaning trick? That helped mine when it was lurching.

Also, you said it was at a slight incline, maybe the tranny was almost at a shift point. It couldn't decide if it wanted to shift or not. I've noticed that on mine as well. It'll want to shift, then not, then want to shift, then not, etc. (hope that makes sense )

 

[mdriggan]

This may sound dumb, or obvious, but have you tried the MAF cleaning trick? That helped mine when it was lurching.

Also, you said it was at a slight incline, maybe the tranny was almost at a shift point. It couldn't decide if it wanted to shift or not. I've noticed that on mine as well. It'll want to shift, then not, then want to shift, then not, etc. (hope that makes sense )

Yeah, I cleaned the MAF earlier this year and also the K&N air filter. I also had a tune-up done earlier this year as well, so when I read about the plugs and wires I am hoping that is not the case. I drove the truck today, just around locally, and didnt notice any of the jerking or roughness that I was experiencing yesterday. Just seems when in cruise. When the engine cools down enough Im going to go check and make sure the plug wires are still on snug and not lose.

Thanks for the tips and info.

Michael

 

[easnoddy]

Yeah, I cleaned the MAF earlier this year and also the K&N air filter. I also had a tune-up done earlier this year as well, so when I read about the plugs and wires I am hoping that is not the case. I drove the truck today, just around locally, and didnt notice any of the jerking or roughness that I was experiencing yesterday. Just seems when in cruise. When the engine cools down enough Im going to go check and make sure the plug wires are still on snug and not lose.

Thanks for the tips and info.

Michael

Not sure if it does it any more, but there were 2 sections of road that I drive on regularly in cruise control (around 70 MPH) where it seemed ilke the truck was bouncing, surging or not getting traction or something. The road surface was always those long concrete blocks about 30-50 feet long, never on asphalt. I have cleaned my MAF since but do not know if that cured it but I have not noticed the problem since.

 

[mdriggan]

Ok, I took the truck to Goodyear today and told them what was happening. They ran a diagnostic test to see why the "check engine" light was on. I told them that I have never noticed it being on. Anyway, he calls back and said that the test reading showed that the "torque converter valve" is stuck on the "off" position. Needless to say that this is a transmission problem and Goodyear does not perform that kind of work. So my question is, those of you who have had your transmissions worked on, would you just have that part worked on or have the entire transmission overhauled while its at the transmission shop?

Just a side note: while driving home from Goodyear, the "check engine" light was on the whole time. So obviously, something is wrong somewhere.

Thanks for your inputs,
Michael