Transmission jerking

[Chris Harrach]

Hello all. In the last few days I've noticed that my transmission has developed a nasty habit of jerking slightly, when Im at about a steady 40 mph. I have to let up of the gas pedal, then accelerate in order for it to stop. This is starting to happen at other speeds as well. Also, Im finding that I have to let up off the gas pedal in order for the transmission to shift into the next gear when I first start driving, otherwise the RPM's go up before it shifts on it's own. The truck is a 97' 4.0 SOHC E.B. 4x4 (which I've disabled) and I believe it has a 5R55E transmission. There are no leaks coming from it & no smell of burnt tranny oil. Also the fluid level is correct. Since its been a while since the transmission has been serviced, Im hoping that it's only a question of changing the filter & fluid. Also, is there a possibility that the Transmission cooler has failed and needs to be replaced? Not being a transmission person, I've no clue, so Im kind of grasping at straws here. Does anyone have any idea whats causing this, or has had a similar problem? Thanks in advance

Chris

 

[Turdle]

First thing I would do is check the throttle position sensor. If it is outputting too high of voltage the transmission will want to "downshift"

 

[Chris Harrach]

First thing I would do is check the throttle position sensor. If it is outputting too high of voltage the transmission will want to "downshift"

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm guessing thie sensor is under the hood, but where exactly? And would this cause the jerking Im experiencing in the transmission? (I also should mention that there's no check engine light or O/D light showing.)

 

[Turdle]

Although you are not seeking to "modify" your vehicle, this thread has a lot of good information.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79362&highlight=tps+mod

This thread shows how to test a throttle position sensor --TPS

Although the model year pictured may be different , the sensor is essentially the same.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2349296

 

[Chris Harrach]

Although you are not seeking to "modify" your vehicle, this thread has a lot of good information.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79362&highlight=tps+mod

This thread shows how to test a throttle position sensor --TPS

Although the model year pictured may be different , the sensor is essentially the same.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2349296

Thanks for the link. There's a lot of great info there as you said. However I had one quick question, and that is, could my PCM module be going bad, and is there any way it can be tested?

Thanks for help!

Chris

 

[Chris Harrach]

I just read an old thread from 2006 where Ed in Ill. had what I thought was a similar sounding problem in his '02 E.B. Explorer. To quote what he said.......
"The problem was the 4 x 4 module which is mounted behind the glove compartment. The mechanic explained that the jerking was my control trac system trying to engage the 4 wheel drive, he admitted that he just took a wild guess and replaced the moudule but it did fix the problem"
Now, I replaced my Transfer Case a few years back, and never reconnected the front drive shaft, in effect disabling my 4 X 4. Since I never used 4 wheel drive I never missed it and still dont. The fact is I dont even think of it as a 4 X 4 truck anymore. However, since I read that thread , it got me to thinking that is there a remote posability that my Control Trac system is trying to engage? I've never given the problems I was having with the Transfer Case a second thought, once I replaced it and disabled the 4WD. Could this jerking problem I'm having be related to the Control Trac system? Anyone have any thoughts?