Possible transmission problem?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, Ohio
Possible transmission problem?
I have a 2001 F150 supercrew 4x4 4.6 that seems to have something wrong with the transmission. I'm not sure which automatic transmission I have. The problem seems to occur at 42-48ish mph. It seems like it will start jerking sometimes. It almost feels like it is slipping and I can let off the gas or give it more gas and it will seem to "catch" up. I don't have any problems shifting gears or anything like that. Any suggestions what this may be? Should I take it asap to a transmission shop?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, Ohio
No lights on, 175,000 miles. Serviced at ford dealer 2 months ago. I was doing some research and it seems my problem is very similar to another: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...45-50-mph.html
I wonder if its the same problem for me as it was for him. I don't know how to do all the testing though should I take it in to the dealer?
I wonder if its the same problem for me as it was for him. I don't know how to do all the testing though should I take it in to the dealer?
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
You do understand what was posted in the thread you linked too?
Sometimes the engine sensors can cause what feels like a transmission
issue. The transmission is computer controlled and of course the ignition
and fuel delivery is also controlled in the same matter.
As you noticed by the thread you posted, I asked the same question in
the beginning as the first person in the post you linked.
I know it even takes time for a well seasoned mechanic to locate such issues
as yours, let alone trying to diagnose it through a computer screen.
Yes, there could be a pending code.
Yes, there could be a mechanical problem with the transmission.
Yes, if you do not have the access to diagnostic tools, take it to a shop.
I, myself, try to eliminate the easiest cause first checking sensors and
connections. Your truck is 11 model years old and bad sensors are a
possibility.
Also, taking the truck to a shop WILL keep you from throwing parts at
the truck.
Double check tranny fluid level.
I am sure someone else will post an opinion too, so keep checking in.
Sometimes the engine sensors can cause what feels like a transmission
issue. The transmission is computer controlled and of course the ignition
and fuel delivery is also controlled in the same matter.
As you noticed by the thread you posted, I asked the same question in
the beginning as the first person in the post you linked.
I know it even takes time for a well seasoned mechanic to locate such issues
as yours, let alone trying to diagnose it through a computer screen.
Yes, there could be a pending code.
Yes, there could be a mechanical problem with the transmission.
Yes, if you do not have the access to diagnostic tools, take it to a shop.
I, myself, try to eliminate the easiest cause first checking sensors and
connections. Your truck is 11 model years old and bad sensors are a
possibility.
Also, taking the truck to a shop WILL keep you from throwing parts at
the truck.
Double check tranny fluid level.
I am sure someone else will post an opinion too, so keep checking in.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, Ohio
Yes, I do realize what I posted. I was digging through the forums looking for answers and noticed he had the same issues I am having, which made me hopeful it will be something cheaper than having to replace a tranny soon. I am hoping that its a sensor or some kind of coil problem instead of the transmission. But I guess it could be lots of things.
With no check engine light will there possibly be any codes? I see people mention "scanners" which seem to be something different than a CEL code puller. Are they easy to use? Do they cost alot of money? Will they possible help troubleshot this problem or is it a waste of time?
With no check engine light will there possibly be any codes? I see people mention "scanners" which seem to be something different than a CEL code puller. Are they easy to use? Do they cost alot of money? Will they possible help troubleshot this problem or is it a waste of time?
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Will it do it all the time or just here and there? Intermitaint problems are the worst! Sometimes you can't get a code or a good clue. You just have to wait till something finally dies. If it does it all the time take it to a good tranny shop. Not one of the chain places. Ask some old timers where they take their stuff. My tranny place has been in business for 70 years. They know their stuff!
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
I would bet on a faulty coil.
It can be temperature sensitive.
The road speed the stumble occurs at is the dead give-away.
Why? the drive conditions are the EGR opens, the timing advances and the fuel is cut back.
Result is the A/F ratio goes very lean from all these conditions plus exhaust is allowed back into the intake.
A coil with 'shorted' turns has "low output", is not a hard fault in either it's primary or secondary circuit that 'would' set a code, set's no code and causes the stumble until the throttle is advanced, or the trans downshifts to cancel the EGR operation.
It may seem like a trans trouble but is not.
You either chase it with a new known good coil, trap the fault with a good scanner or have a dealer do a stress test to pick out the low output coil.
Otherwise have a good time chasing around shops that can't find the cause unless they know this kind of problem.
Good luck.
It can be temperature sensitive.
The road speed the stumble occurs at is the dead give-away.
Why? the drive conditions are the EGR opens, the timing advances and the fuel is cut back.
Result is the A/F ratio goes very lean from all these conditions plus exhaust is allowed back into the intake.
A coil with 'shorted' turns has "low output", is not a hard fault in either it's primary or secondary circuit that 'would' set a code, set's no code and causes the stumble until the throttle is advanced, or the trans downshifts to cancel the EGR operation.
It may seem like a trans trouble but is not.
You either chase it with a new known good coil, trap the fault with a good scanner or have a dealer do a stress test to pick out the low output coil.
Otherwise have a good time chasing around shops that can't find the cause unless they know this kind of problem.
Good luck.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, Ohio
Thanks for the input everyone, I'm gonna take it into Ford tomorrow to get it looked at. I am thinking it is a coil problem after reading that other article and the input given here. I don't have a scanner to try and chase it down so my best bet is to try and have them locate it. Thank you for your insight.
New User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Did it rain like cats and dogs a day or two before the problems started? I'm with everyone else and bet it's a cop also. 01 have a bad design with the hood weather strip. My #6 goes out usally when it rains really hard and I'm driving down the highway. Hope it is a cop for your walet. Let us know..
Ps. To test this you can put the truck in drive press on the brake and the gas. It puts a load on the engine and if it the cop it will sputter and skip..
Ps. To test this you can put the truck in drive press on the brake and the gas. It puts a load on the engine and if it the cop it will sputter and skip..
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
Good to hear.
I saw this problem many years ago when I first came on the board that few ever had an answer for even many dealers and no independent shops..
There were many threads about stumble and no code or CEL.
So here you are with the answer and the proof.
Again, the way it shows up is the give-away.
As you found, the chain of events that leads to a faulty coil gets involved.
Actually the PCM does keep track of cylinder missfires but they must exceed a threshold to be logiced as a hard missfire.
A good scanner with ability to look at the individual misfire tables often will show it up.
How misfires are detected is the crank sensor measures the crank rotation time for every cylinder everytime.
When the rotation time is slower than the average of all the cylinders on a 'constant' basis, that cylinder it is logiced as a fault within some tolerence limits.
There are limits placed on most every fault so the driver does not see everyone everytime and keep running to a shop for service.
Good luck.
I saw this problem many years ago when I first came on the board that few ever had an answer for even many dealers and no independent shops..
There were many threads about stumble and no code or CEL.
So here you are with the answer and the proof.
Again, the way it shows up is the give-away.
As you found, the chain of events that leads to a faulty coil gets involved.
Actually the PCM does keep track of cylinder missfires but they must exceed a threshold to be logiced as a hard missfire.
A good scanner with ability to look at the individual misfire tables often will show it up.
How misfires are detected is the crank sensor measures the crank rotation time for every cylinder everytime.
When the rotation time is slower than the average of all the cylinders on a 'constant' basis, that cylinder it is logiced as a fault within some tolerence limits.
There are limits placed on most every fault so the driver does not see everyone everytime and keep running to a shop for service.
Good luck.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MrMontana
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
14
Aug 26, 2013 05:14 PM
bobj49f2
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Mar 29, 2010 05:46 PM
