Shutter at 39mph

Jibit

Jibit

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I'm tired of the tranny shuddering at 39mph. It'll only do it if I'm gradually increasing speed. When I'm driving her hard she shifts fine. I have a PI with a 3000 stall and a shift kit (Bauman). It has 107K on the clock. I was thinking the springs but I thought the '97 didn't have this problem and it would be the 2-3 spring (or am I in 4th at that point?). I thought the 1-2 normally breaks. Any ideas?
 
Ok, try changing the sparkplugs and check if your coils are in good shape, I thought I had a shudder, at the speed you stated, if you give it light gas it would shutter give it alittle more its gone, I changed my plugs and it was gone. So try that see what happens, atleast you have a reason to get some autolite copper plugs
 
MarkOfDeath said:
Ok, try changing the sparkplugs and check if your coils are in good shape, I thought I had a shudder, at the speed you stated, if you give it light gas it would shutter give it alittle more its gone, I changed my plugs and it was gone. So try that see what happens, atleast you have a reason to get some autolite copper plugs
Click to expand...
Did that less than 2K ago. no CE light so I'm assuming coils are fine.
 
Try adding a bottle of Lucas tranny fix........ wont hurt you and it might help.
 
Joeychgo said:
Try adding a bottle of Lucas tranny fix........ wont hurt you and it might help.
Click to expand...
True, but my opinion to that is the Lucas is just covering up the true problem and eventually it'll come back once it gets worse. I might as well find the problem now while I can still fix it before its too late.
 
I agree with the Mercon V and flush. The 2-3 accumulator will not be the cause of a shudder. The true 4R70W shudder is from the torque converter lockup clutch. It is actually a fluid breakdown event that left unchecked will cause damage to the TC. After so long, even a flush and Mercon V will not fix it.

From AllData:

Torque Converter Clutch - Vibration/Shudder
Article No.
96-25-17

12/02/96

FORD:
1992-95 CROWN VICTORIA
1994-95 MUSTANG, THUNDERBIRD

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1992-95 GRAND MARQUIS, TOWN CAR
1993-95 MARK VIII
1994-95 COUGAR

ISSUE:
Torque converter clutch shudder or vibration may occur under light to moderate acceleration above 56 km/h (35 mph) while in 3rd or 4th gear or on 3-4/4-3 shifts. This condition may be more noticeable on higher mileage vehicles (24,000+ km (15,000+ mi)) when the torque converter clutch engages or disengages on light to moderate acceleration.

ACTION:
Perform normal diagnostics and change the transmission fluid. Changing the transmission fluid should reduce the possibility of shudder/vibration. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Drain all transmission fluid including the torque converter. Completely drain the cooler and cooler lines. Refer to the appropriate model/year Service Manual, Section 07-01, for more details.

NOTE : IF TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER OCCURS BELOW 11,250 km (7,000 MILES) OR ABOVE 32,000 km (20,000 MILES), THE CONCERN IS DUE TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTAMINATION AND/OR BREAKDOWN. PROCEED TO STEP 7.

NOTE : IF TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER OCCURS BETWEEN 11,250 km (7,000 MILES) AND 32,000 km (20,000 MILES), THE CONVERTER MAY BE AT FAULT. PROCEED TO STEP 2.

2. Remove the transmission and replace the torque converter.

3. Remove the transmission pan and clean the pan and magnet.

4. Inspect the transmission gasket and filter. Reuse the pan gasket and filter if they are not damaged.

5. Reinstall the transmission filter, pan gasket and pan.

6. Reinstall the transmission.

7. Verify that bulk fluid does not have moisture contamination. If suspected, use quart containers of MERCON(R). Refill transmission with the proper amount of Motorcraft MERCON(R) Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) (XT-2-QDX).

NOTE : REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER IF THE SHUDDER RETURNS IN LESS THAN 16,000 km (10,000) MILES FOLLOWING THE FLUID CHANGE.

Make note that a subsequent TSB confirms changing the fluid specification to MERCON V.
 
I posted this same problem a few weeks ago, going for my tranny fluid change soon.
 
Joeychgo said:
Try adding a bottle of Lucas tranny fix........ wont hurt you and it might help.
Click to expand...

Do you have to drain any Tranny oil before adding the tranny fix?

I bought a bottle of Lucas (as I learned from a former thread that it is a great additive and can truly help) and wanted to add it to my tranny.
 
driller said:
The true 4R70W shudder is from the torque converter lockup clutch. It is actually a fluid breakdown event that left unchecked will cause damage to the TC.
Click to expand...
Here's the strange part though, I had the PI TC put in last summer with a shift kit. Didn't drive it this winter and have maybe put a total of 5K on it since I had everything installed. I had the driveshaft installed at the same time so I know that's not the problem.
 
I'm not sure how the TSB pertains to the PI TC.

As far as the 5K mileage after the install, when did you first notice the shudder? Do you have a transmission cooler? I ask because it is highly possible to have seriously degraded the fluid without a tranny cooler, due to excessive heat even in as little as 3,000 - 5,000 miles.
 
driller said:
As far as the 5K mileage after the install, when did you first notice the shudder? Do you have a transmission cooler?
Click to expand...
Sure, I have a cooler, a real nice B&M with a thermostat, it sitting in the garage!!!

I guess I'll install it and get the tranny fluid flushed and see what happens.
 
Sifrino3 said:
Don't think you are the only one with parts that could be better off in your car then in the garage.

:Bang
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have a bad habit of buying parts and forgetting that it takes time and/or money to get them installed!!!
 
A common problem. I can dream a lot faster than I can afford to buy, and I can buy a lot faster than I can find time to install. :wink: LOL!
 
you think thats bad...

i am stumped right here.
i get a terrible shudder/shake/power loss in the 1100-2400rpm range(mainly)
a few months ago i changed my fuel filter and spark plugs, i am running the motorcraft plugs. last month i had my tranny fluid and filter changed and i changed my torque converter(what fun that was). anyhow the problem did not go away, i was told by one shop to use LubeGuard and then by another Dr.tranny's shudder fix friction modifier. neither of those made it totally go away. since then i have been told by two shops that the noise is from the engine( a shearing noise in neutral and park) and so is the shudder. the most recent shop i went to (cottman) was the most useful. they told me it is a fuel system problem most likely and it is causing the shudder because the transmission and engine are electronically controlled. he said it was dropping power in several cylinders, which therefore is sending mixed signals to the transmission so it wont pick just one gear. it is reeeeaaalllly frustrating. anyone have any ideas?
by the way...im really short on money at the moment.
 
Was the torque converter new or salvage?

Because it sounds like a torque converter...

Lucas would be the only tranny fix or additive I'd add.

I'm sure someone with a lot more experience will help out.

But the way you are describing to shutter and power loss sound like what my tranny did before I changed my TC..
 
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