had something weird happen to my 97 explorer 4x4 automatic control trac

the other day in the snow about 4 inches not alot I'm crusing about 40 mph on the snow locked in and the dang truck jerk bad like it dropped from 3rd to 2cnd it did this couple more times on the length of the trip, I though maybe I just needed to speed up or down because I was at the shift piont. but now the snow is gone I have noticed that when I decelarate to a stop sign or end of my road, then trany downshifts hard sometimes like it has a shift kit in it

so should I worry or is it a computer thing or tranny going bad
getting ready to have it serviced by ford you know a trany tc fluid change.

 

Here is a TSB that may apply........

Article No.
99-8-7 HARSH DOWNSHIFT - FROM 3RD-TO-1ST GEAR WHILE STOPPING - VEHICLES WITH 4.0L OR 5.0L ENGINE
HESITATION - AFTER ACCELERATION FROM STOP - VEHICLES WITH 4.0L OR 5.0L ENGINE
LACK OF POWER - AFTER ACCELERATION FROM STOP - VEHICLES WITH 4.0L OR 5.0L ENGINE

Publication Date: APRIL 22, 1999

LIGHT TRUCK: 1997-99 EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER


CALIBRATION:
7-54G-R13, 7-57B-R10, 7-57R-R10, 7-58B-R10, 7-58C-R11, 7-58R-R05, 7-58V-R11, 8-54G-R05, 8-54U-R05, 8-57B-R05, 8-57R-R05, 8-58B-R05, 8-58C-R10, 8-58R-R05, 8-58V-R10, 9-NEA-BAF

WARNING: THIS MODIFICATION IS AUTHORIZED ONLY FOR THE LISTED ENGINE. PERFORMING THIS MODIFICATION ON OTHER ENGINE CALIBRATIONS IS UNAUTHORIZED AND COULD CREATE LIABILITY UNDER APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR LOCAL LAWS.



ISSUE:
The vehicle may have one or all of the following symptoms:

After vehicle comes to almost a complete stop (approximately 5 km/h (3 mph)) and then accelerates, the transmission may still be in 3rd gear which may cause a perceived lack of power.
After vehicle comes to almost a complete stop (approximately 5 km/h (3 mph)), a harsh 3rd-to-1st gear downshift occurs.
After a long highway drive followed by a complete stop, a quick acceleration by the customer may result in a perceived lack of power.
Acceleration from a stop (city driving) may cause a hesitation.
These concerns may be caused by Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration strategy.

ACTION:
Reprogram the PCM using New Generation Star (NGS) or Service Bay Diagnostic System (SBDS).

 

so do i call the dealer up and see if this has been done to my truck??? will it cost me??? I have tried to get that recal thing to work but it won't what am I doing wrong

 

This is a TSB...Technical Service Bulletin. It is basically just a fix that Ford came up with for a problem that these trucks may or may not have. It is covered under your basic warranty which should have expired by now so you'd have to pay if you want it done. It shouldnt take more than an hour to do. This might not cure it for sure but it would be a pretty cheap and easy thing to try. The Explorer transmissions sometimes have valve body gasket problems too but the symptoms sound different....but anything's possible.

 

just wondering if I called ford dealer with the tbs# (which I need from you) could they check the computer with my trucks vin and see if it's been done to it???

 

The TSB number is at the top of it...... 99-8-7.
They may be able to look in their history and see if the PCM has ever been reprogrammed but depending on when it was done it might not tell them either.