OT: 95 f150 shudder diagnosis

[69rangerman]

Sorry for the post here but you guys have answered my questions for so long I'm hooked.

95 5.0 with auto 2wd and 3.08 rear if it matters (no locker or limited slip)

This tranny has a O/D on/off selector on the column lever.

After accelerating up to town speed limits (45) the tranny will shift into and out of OD as it "hunts" for the right gear. Example: Light pedal pressure to maintain 45---going uphill it shifts down---other side of hill it shifts back to OD.

Anyway, when it shifts into and out of OD I get a shudderthumping as if I'd just driven over a forest service road (washboard). This only happens during the shift, not on either side of it.

When I select OD off at the lever it happens much less or not at all.

Any ideas?

[fordman]

i am having the same kind of problems with my 94 automatic. i was told that it could be the convertor going bad. i know average f250 said these convetor were junk in these transmissions. mine is doing it more and more the longer i wait to fix it.

[averagef250]

I'm not an expert on the E4OD's, but they do have more than thier share of converter problems.

The transmission electronic controls that tell the transmission when to shift have a built in hysteresis (sp?) That's usually like a 5MPH fudge window for when they will shift in and out of a gear. Basically, it's like a thermostat for a heater. The heater kicks on at 60 degrees and kicks off at 65 and so on so it isn't constantly going back and forth.

Basically, the tranny isn't supposed to hunt like that. These things also have lockup converter clutches. You might be hearing the converter clutch starting to come apart when it locks and unlocks, not overdrive kicking in.

I'd take it to a reputable tranny shop that actually gives a hoot about diagnosing things. They should be able to tell you if it sounds like the converter. If it's the convert I'd just buy a new one and put it in yourself.

[ezernut9mm]

or just jump that wire and see if it stops doing it.

[fordman]

mmine does it in either overdrive or regular. but only at high speeds. 55 and up. it gets worse at 60-70.

[theskytoucher]

My moms 94 bronco does this also!!! When i drive it i just take it out of over drive and it does fine!! (damn underpowered 302 anyways)

[fordman]

i was told to do that to mmine but i havent yet. i was thinking mine could be a ujiont. i replaced the rear one bat that didnt change anything. i'm going to do the front one when i can get in dads shop. and then i will try the fluid change then too.

[averagef250]

From my perspective, these fords are the easiest vehicles out there to pull transmissions from. I'd just buy a new converter and stuff it in. You can probably get an HD one for under $300.

That's about an hour job if you have access to a hoist.

[69rangerman]

Thanks guys, I knew you'd have some ideas.

This one's got 179k on it and otherwise runs great (at least when the rod or main knock goes away after it warms up) and still gets me 20-21 on highway 15 in town.

I'll definately try the fluid/filter change in the next few weeks and update this thread.

Question: What happens if the converter or lock up completely fails? Is this catastrophic or do I just stop moving?

[averagef250]

You stop moving.

[James72]

I had a '95 F150 4x4 with the same auto as yours and the same symptoms. You don't want to hear this but my trans was right fried. Turns out it was slipping into OD that caused the "shudder" mine was worse under load, a month later I had no OD, the rest of the gears soon started disappearing aswell. Thank god it had extended warranty or it would have been $3500 for the trans alone.

[James72]

Double post, oops

[ironworkers2]

change to mercon dextron 5 and put dr shudder in and that will take care of the problem for awhile md5 is full sentric but in the near furture you will have to put a new torque converter in or it will shell the whole tran