Transmission shifting hard

[bob944]

I'm looking for any thoughts or advice on recent trans troubles. My '96 V8 2WD automatic with 99K has been running and shifting fine until lately. I installed the B&M electronic shift-plus kit about 6 months ago. I loved the improvement, and everything felt great in the usual +1 setting I kept it in for driving around town. In the last month or so, however, I noticed the shifts became very hard and jolting, especially out of 1st, feeling as if it was operating in the race mode. I realized that the B&M switch had no effect any more....every setting resulted in extremely hard/fast shifts. I suspected the switch had gone bad so this weekend I removed the shift kit completely, and I also topped off the fluid, which admittedly had fallen slightly low. The last complete fush with semi-syn trans fluid was 25K ago, and is due again I guess. Removing the shift kit, however, had no effect so obviously I have developed a true transmission problem. I have also just noticed on a few random ocassions a very rough, jerky operation at extremely low speeds creeping along in traffic. It feels as if a few cylinders are missing, but it goes away if I come to a complete stop, or speed up......which makes me believe it is trans related....some kind of bucking problem only near idle RPMs while in drive.

The trans still works fine otherwise, shifts all gears, no grinding or missing gears, etc.......just super hard shifts that keep jolting the entire drive train, and random low speed problems.

Any thoughts? Trans or torque converter? Something that can be serviced, or am I looking at a new/rebuilt tranny?

Thanks in advance (bracing wallet now....)
Andy

 

[Alec]

Did you check all the wiring to make sure it is still intact and in good condition? This includes the wires at the computer and also down by the tranny.

 

[Glacier991]

In no particular order, possibilities, assuming it's not the shift kit somehow.... vacuum leak? Improper oil pressure (check), loose main control valve body? Sticky governor valve?
Others may have other ideas.


Happy Exploring..

Chris

 

[marcus77]

My 95xlt began making very hard shifts (upshifting and downshifting) at 106,000 miles. Always used synthetic Mobil ATF. Ford dealer could not find the problem and local tranny shop had no clue.

I researched and found a sticking EPC (electronic pressure control) valve would cause this problem. It's ~ $280 part. I pulled the tranny pan and replaced the EPC valve myself.

Shifts like a brand new transmission now!


Good Luck