automatic transmission issue

jbmax112 · Feb 23, 2009

Hello, im not to sure how well i could explain this but i'll try..

When im driving usually low speeds through the city, my Transmission seems to shift with a vibration. it only does it going into 3 and o/d. im planning on having the fulid changed as well as the filter now that the cars is getting near the 50K mark.

Any of you encountering this issue?..thats driving me crazy.!..
thanks in advance..

CobraRed_96_GT · Feb 23, 2009

This belongs in tech. But i'd wager a buffalo nickle it's torque converter shudder. Only happens while cruising right? Give it more gas it downshifts then eventually upshift with more gas and no problem. Down low in rpms it shudders.
This is from heat wear because these auto's are like brick ovens. I rebuilt mine after having the same problem. You'll eventually get the wear down of the 1-2 then 2-3 accumulator piston and spring and the 1-2 shift especially will take longer and "hang" then be abrupt.

Only way to avoid this is to catch it early and run a stacked trans cooler up front. And run Mercon V fluid which is forumlated to help solve some shudder. But if it's been that way for very long at all you'll likely need a new torque converter soon - if not a rebuild.

bdcardinal · Feb 23, 2009

what year is the car? make sure that a licensed Mercon V is used, not a generic with an additive.

jbmax112 · Feb 23, 2009

the car is an 02, and yeah it only happends at low speeds. when im on the gas it dosent do it.? i was thinking on running one of the coolers but i dont know where to find one. i have a local shop here in miami that i trust. you think if i have the tranny fulid changed and add the cooler it'll improve this problem.?..i dont wanna run into the fact of a rebuilt right now... i just got the car..lol...

CobraRed_96_GT · Feb 23, 2009

jbmax112 said:
the car is an 02, and yeah it only happends at low speeds. when im on the gas it dosent do it.? i was thinking on running one of the coolers but i dont know where to find one. i have a local shop here in miami that i trust. you think if i have the tranny fulid changed and add the cooler it'll improve this problem.?..i dont wanna run into the fact of a rebuilt right now... i just got the car..lol...

Well the trans will run like that for a good amount of time, it's just not going to get better being that hot. The cooler is a must, even after a rebuild. The fluid will help the symptoms, but the damage is likely done.

jbmax112 · Feb 23, 2009

lol...u scared the crap outta me...well, im going to start looking into buying a cooler. i just gotta save some money. do you know what type of trans i have?. i found a site with some kool info.....TCCoA.com...also..is there like a simple bolt on kit i could do myself...?..i found one at rpmoutlet.com..they got 4 different sizes.,

i really thank you for helping me out.!...

scupking · Feb 23, 2009

jbmax112 said:
lol...u scared the crap outta me...well, im going to start looking into buying a cooler. i just gotta save some money. do you know what type of trans i have?. i found a site with some kool info.....TCCoA.com...also..is there like a simple bolt on kit i could do myself...?..i found one at rpmoutlet.com..they got 4 different sizes.,

i really thank you for helping me out.!...

Coolers are cheap you can get a good B&M for $50. Like CobraRed I will have my transmission built this spring. CobraRed is the guinea pig, I wait till he does something then if he likes it I do the same lol (I will be back giong to install the B&M hammer shifter)

n0v8or · Feb 23, 2009

Does it feel like you are driving over one of the "chatter strips" used on some roads to alert drivers they are approaching a hazard or drifting out of their lane?

If yes, I agree it is probably torque converter shudder. My 03 GT started doing it at ~15K miles. The local Ford dealer wanted ~$1500 to replace the torque converter, but I found an alternate fix that seems to work and cost less than $15. Google "Dr. Tranny instant shudder fixer". I only poured in half the tube and the problem immediately disappeared. I'm usually suspicious of additives, but figured it was worth a try before spending the big bucks. The shudder has been gone for nearly 2 years now.

CobraRed_96_GT · Feb 23, 2009

I know it's TC shudder. A shudder at 15k is probably easily fixed with fluid - but when you approach 100-110k like mine was, it's done the damage. I worked selling all types of oil and race gas for about 2.5-3 years and i'd never recommend additives in an automatic transmission. Use Mercon V, it has what's needed for what we're talking about. Although, after i built my trans i've been using Mobil 1 synthetic ATF - which is a great fluid for the tolerance i need with heat, but doesnt help with any shudder (although my 3200 stall shouldn't be anyways).

jbmax112 · Feb 24, 2009

thanks for letting me know all this great info. im gonna try the Dr. Tranny stuff first to see if anything changes..but im going to order the trans oil cooler instead of the lowering springs i was about to buy...i'll just hold off...

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