Fellas,

My 97 f-150 4.6 4X4 is acting strange. The only way I can describe the problem is like a shudder or maybe a slight lunge when it reaches 35mph. It just started about 50 miles ago. Have 117,000 miles on the truck. Check engine light has not come on. Any suggestions?

Superchip
Flowmaster
K&N intake

 

Has it ever been tuned up? Tranny fluid ever flushed?

 

LxMan1,

Thank's for responding so soon man. Had a tune up just before I hit 100K mi.
I believe the tranny fluid was flushed but not certain. Will check the invoice.
I know the tranny fluid was flushed around 50K mi.

It feels like it wants to shift into overdrive ya know. Just hoping this is not an expensive problem.

 

Could it be the TCC acting up? What happens if you drive in 3rd?

 

The only time it happens is when I'm in third. No problems from first to second or from second to third. But once in third, the problem begins.

 

OK, I'm a straight shift kind of guy. I expect that your truck has 4 gears and a TCC. I further expect that if you select 3rd on the shifter that the TCC will lock up at some speed, but I'm not sure of this. It might never lock up in 3rd or it might even lock up in third even just passing through (will unlock to shift into 4th). Does it shift smoothly into third, go a little while, and then act up? I'm guessing governor, if this truck has one, or TCC.

OK, I just looked my truck up in AllData ('97 4.2L). I don't know if it would have the same transmission as yours. It locks up in 3rd and 4th all the time (except to shift) and even in 2nd in some rare occasions. I'm fixating on the TCC. If you don't apply the brakes but just touch them enough to hold the brake light on, it will preven the TCC from locking up (I think this is true on all automatics, it is for the auto that would come on my truck). If the problem still occurs, it isn't the TCC. Then I'll quit fixating on it.

 

cantrma,

Thanks for the responses. It shifts smoothly into third, its OK for a few seconds, but during accelleration, when it reaches around 35 it starts. If I get on it a little and it doesn't shift into third till say 40 or so, I rarely notice the prob.

This is probably a ******* question, but what is a TCC?

 

Torque Converter Clutch. It has one for the lock-up converter. I would recommend a tranny flush again. It is recommended every 40,000 miles or so.

 

I'd listen to LxMan1. He's the guy that works on these every day.

 

Appreciate the help ya'll. Will work on it this weekend.