Transmission problems (I think)

[tttower]

Hi all,

Really sorry if this is not the best use but it is an emergency to me. We are going out on a long road trip in 2 weeks and today (sunday) I have noticed a hesitation or what feels like I am going over a bump when accelerating heavily. It does not feel like the engine missing and I am wondering if this may be a torque converter or transmission problem. I have recently began towing a 22ft travel trailer that is about 4,300# and am very concerned. Any quick advice?
Thanks for any help, this is my first post and if I have used this section imporperly please let me know.

tttower.

 

[Opera House]

If it happens at low rpm (under 2K) and under a heavy load, it is likely an ignition problem either with the wires or plugs.

 

[pmcmaster]

Does it happen if you lock it in 2nd gear, ditto with over drive switched off.

 

[tttower]

It seems to happen all thru the rpm range but under heavy acceleration/load conditions, I noticed it on Sunday morning but could not reproduce the event in the afternoon with a passenger. I just hope it does not re-appear as I will be towing a 4,300 lb travel trailer (unloaded) over a thousand mile trip very soon. Has anyone else had experience towing with an 02 or later explorer? Mine is a 4.6v8.

 

[Ed in IL]

02 EB V8 Jerking Problem Too

In July 2002, I purchased a 2002 Ford Explorer 4x4 E.B. 4.6 V8 AT with
towing package. Ever since it was new (now with 63k miles), it's had an
occasional "jerk" or "bucking" when accelerating (light, moderate and full
throttle). When it is happening, it usually does it several times over a 5
second interval (but it is not cyclical or harmonic). This "jerking" only occurs in 2nd and 3rd gear and it does not matter if in over or not. I also noticed that the jerking does not occur in 4x4 high.... it only occurs in 4x4 auto. It also does not matter if the road is wet or dry.


The ways people driving with me have described this problem is:
2 micro jerks per second from 20 to 5o mph
Feels like a miss in the engine
Feels like trans trying to shift then stopping

I've had the vehicle to my Ford dealer 6-8 times (I've lost count) and they have not found anything wrong - no error codes, etc. They even installed a "flight recorder" to try to capture what is going on and still have not found anything. In fact my vehicle is at the dealership now and has been there for the past two weeks.

The "jerking" is in the drivetrain and is intermittent, sometimes the jerking is there and other times it is not. I have encouraged the service writer and mechanic to drive my car home or even drive it for a weekend. They have felt the jerking but just cannot determine what is causing this, they are all scraching their heads. I've had several 4-wheel-drive vehicles and this, definitely, is NOT normal.

Any suggestions on what may be the problem and how I can get this fixed?...
I know somebody out there must know how to fix this damned thing. I figure it is something in the motor, a faulty sensor, internal tranny problems, faulty control trac?


HELP!

 

[Turdle]

are the vehicles AWD or 4WD?
I don't know if this will help, but my father's jeep cherokee did this kind of thing, was identified later under recall. Something in front driveshaft, and the way it was coupled(?), they replaced the front driveshaft and it went away.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! It's hard to say for sure, but I would say that it is the torque converter cycling. There are a few things that control the converter to lock, and unlock, like hitting the brakes, temperature, throttle position, speed, etc. If one of these things has an intermittent fault, it could cause this problem. The VB has a filter for the TCC solenoid, as well as the actual case having a spring for this purpose. If there is a small dirt build up in that area, it could cause the TCC to have a delay when it applies, and disengages the TC. I would recommend a VB rebuild with a TCC antishudder spring installed, and a thorough cleaning of the VB. Mercon III fluid in that transmission could also cause problems. If you are not sure which fluid you have in there, put in Lubegard additive to upgrade the existing fluid to behave like Mercon V fluid. This will add the viscosity that is necessary. Post all other questions in the transmisions section after you try this to let us know how it works out. Good luck!

 

[Glacier991]

I am thinking this is more involving the transfer case for the auto 4WD than in the transmission. I am thinking you have the 4R70W... correct me if I am wrong. As I sit here thinking...I cannot fathom a scenario where that transmission could produce that symptom. (Take this advice with a grain of salt... I am still on the learning curve on the 4R70W .... have two in pieces in my shop at the moment and am re-engineering them slightly....so I have never rebuilt one and reinstalled it yet....but pretty confident of my advice here).

 

[deserts1ut82]

Sorry, to change the subject slightly, but this seemed to be the best place to ask for advise. I have a 1988 Ford Ranger 2.9L V6 4x4. I can't tell if I have Trans problems or Clutch problems. I have been starting to notice a slight sqealing niose from time to time while the clutch was engaged. So I thought that the realise bearing might be going. (probably did) At the same time every now and then when I was shifting from 1st to 2nd it would slam into gear. There was also a gargleing sound every now and then. Then yesterday I was driving down the road and heard a loud CLINK and the truck started to vibrate really hard. My stick shifts (both 4x4 and regular) were vibrating all over the place. Tomorrow I'm going to start working on dropping the tranny. Do you guys have any ideas what it might be or what to look for? Thanx in advance.

 

[Radicalfury]

Similar ISSUE 2002 Ford Explorer

I get a grinding type noise when my truck is about to shift around 2500-3000 RPMS.
It is like a gear grinding noise.
I took it to the FOrd dealer to have it looked at and they said it is fine.
I am worried about it and wonder what it could be.
It is an automatic and has 4x4 auto, high, low.
Please let me know
Thanks,
Adam

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Do you get the grinding noise in all gear settings of your transfer case (low, high, and auto)? Maybe it is related to the transfer case, and not the transmission.

 

[Doubt Incarnate]

does the jerking in 4x4 auto happen under hard exceleration from a stand still? if so, that is normal, thats why it doesnt throw codes. Its a normal action of the rear wheels slippin and the 4x4 system detecting this and engaging the front axels, like traction control. i'm sure it can happen at speed if the wheels spin on sand or gravel under acceleration, especialy if its trying to pull some weight, maybe even rough road surfaces. i've experianced the jerk on ice/snow and gravel, and even in the rain on the stop light paint strips.