Torque converter shudder

[ifixairplanes]

Hey all. I just picked up my 95EB x and now i want to diagnose a problem i knew it had when i bought it (why i got it so cheap). only on the highway, when the torque converter locks up, i will feel a shudder, like it gets stuck between locking and not being locked. If i hit the accelerator a little, but not so much to down shift a gear, it will unlock and stop. Also if i ease up on the accelerator pedal and allow it to lock up, it will stop. Driving city it is nice, shifts great and on time. Full pedal acceleration is good and strong. It's just this shudder at highway speeds. It's kinda annoying, with the cruise control on and the road starts to go up hill, it will do this as the tranny unlocks the converter. What it sounds and feels like is exactly like what the "wake up strips" on the side of the highway feel and sound like, just at a lesser frequency. I think it may be just a valve or something. hopefully external. I am not getting a CEL light and the O/D isn't flashing, everything runs perfect. I hope someone can gimme some insight as to what this may be. Like i said, i knew about this problem when i got my X, so i got the extra cash in the loan to get it fixed. I love my new X!!

sean

Mods: sorry for the double post. I realized after, it should go in this forum instead of the general forum. Please delete the one in the general forum.

 

[ifixairplanes]

Bump. i did a little resarch on explorer forums and saw a post with a similar prob, someone said there is a valve that locks up the torque converter and a TSB was put out on it to install a stronger spring. does it sound like i am havijng this problem? Does someone have any knowledge of this? i really need someone to help me here!

sean

 

[Glacier991]

The valve is called the torque converter shuttle valve. You will need to remove the valve body to replace this. While it is out you may want to replace the TCC solenoid, and otherwise check the bracket holding it in place. Just on an off chance, you may want also to check the 3/4 solenoid to make sure it's clean. There are pics of this stuff in the A4LD Rebuild Diary Reassembly post.

 

[ifixairplanes]

i dont know if i have the A4LD. My tranny code on my door is "T", whatever that is, is my tranny i guess. i will go check it out though.

sean