Transmission Shifting Issue?

[natedoggaz]

Hello all, I haven't posted in a while so I hope you are all well!

2002 4.6 Explorer

Last project I completed was changing out the moog springs on the front end with the Struttek struts...

Anyways, I have been noticing this issue for a while now, only happens ever so often and thought it went away - but unfortunately no...

When driving at certain speeds and locked into gear, if the accelerator is pushed down and the trans shifts to a better gear, it seems like it gets "stuck" between gears and this back-and-forth rocking occurs.

It will occur until you take your foot off the gas and I guess it slips into gear, and then it drives fine.

I was told by a Ford guy that it may be an issue with the #6 cylinder. So I went and replaced the boot and pack on plug. I did not experience it for a long while, then it started happening again.

It started to idle a little rough, so I took it in and mechanic said #8 had a misfire. So I replaced the boot and coli on #8 - as well as ALL the plugs.

Its still idling rough, and the back-and-forth rocking is still occurring!

I know this is a lot of info - but hopefully enough...

Anyone have ideas?

BTW I cleaned the MAF sensor and that did pretty much nothing...

Thanks!

ND

 

[SyberTiger]

I think you'd be better off separating your idle problems from your tranny shift problems. If you put those two items in different threads you'll get more precise help.

Regarding your idle problem did you remember to clean the IAC Valve?

 

[natedoggaz]

I was told by Ford that the poor idiling was related to the cylinder misfire. The cylinder misfire was related to the transmission shifting issues. So, kind of all goes hand in hand from how I see it...

Thanks for the suggestion with IAC - where is that located, and how is it cleaned?

ND

 

[natedoggaz]

....click on the link and it works for the IAC...deeerrrrrrr......

Thanks Man

 

[natedoggaz]

Cleaned out the IAC last night...

It has some nasty sticky black tar in both the valve and intake! Went through about a dozen and a half Q-tips since it probably has never been cleaned before.

Unfortunately it didnt seen to correct the issue 100% - still seems to shake some at idle. May not be a misfire, but no way for me to tell without the proper scanners I dont think.

Dont have any codes either.

Read through a few posts - some people are experiencing the same issues as me... the rocking back and forth like the trans is shifting rapidly between gears trying to catch...

Anyone know what may be causing this?

Thanks!

ND

 

[SyberTiger]

Are you saying that your computer didn't log any codes or are you saying you havent been to AutoZone or AdvancedAuto yet to have the codes read out for free?

Make sure you don't have any vacuum line problems such as this infamous vacuum line problem.

 

[natedoggaz]

The check engine light is not on - so I do not believe any codes would be displayed?

MAF was cleaned a few months ago, so I dont think it is that...

Oh, I am aware of that vacuum hose cracking! I was not aware that it was an "infamous issue" with the Explorer engines though!

I had to make my own fitting. First time I used a straight hose, but that kinked when bending it. I then went to the parts store and had them look around for the best 90 degree bent hose they could find and I just cut it to size.

When cleaning out the IAC last night, I did notice a little bit of oil in that hose. I took it off in order to clean the IAC - thats when I noticed it...

Fuel filter = possible issue, will need to look into getting that replaced..

ND