Tranny Trouble, New 98 EB

[d3cker]

I just purchased a 98 EB 5.0 AWD Explorer with 72,000 miles last week. It ran very strong until two days ago. The tranny seems to hesitate and/or bounce back and forth when it shifts. It usually occurs around 45 mph. If you push harder on the gas it shifts perfect but when I go easy on it it bounces around before it will shift. The longer I drive the worst it gets. When the vehicle is cool it seems fine.

The Explorer is very strong and clean other than this problem. I plan on calling the dealership first thing Monday morning but I was hoping for some ideas on what the problem may be before I take it in.

I own a 89 Mustang 5.0 (5-Speed) and have never had a single problem with it besides chaning ball joints and tie rods. I hope to get the same reliability out of the X.

Thank you in advance. I'm new here but plan to spend a lot of time here over the next couple years.

Thanks again!

 

[Sonny]

I am not a transmission expert but maybe try turning off the overdrive, see if it is acting up when going into OD. I also think the throttle position sensor can cause some transmission shifting problems. You did check the fluid levels right?

 

[viiidude]

Originally posted by d3cker
I just purchased a 98 EB 5.0 AWD Explorer with 72,000 miles last week. It ran very strong until two days ago. The tranny seems to hesitate and/or bounce back and forth when it shifts. It usually occurs around 45 mph. "

How old is the tranny fluid? Is the fluid level in range when warmed up? Do you have a tranny cooler?

You have a 4R70W, check out this link for some info on the model: http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny/index.html#

Some of your questions should be answered in Transmissions 101.

Good luck

 

[d3cker]

Thanks

Sonny- When it first started acting up I turned off the OD. At first that seemed to be the problem but it started acting up with the OD off as well. I thought it might be the TPS as well... Thanks for your help!

viiidude- I honestly don't know how old the fluid is. The fluid level is fine. I'm also not positive if it has a cooler but I'll be checking. The link was great! I think it's the torque converter shutter. I spoke with a transmission guy and he said he's 99% sure that's what it is. He said it's common on that tranny at around 60,000 miles. Thanks!