'08 Explorer vibration

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Dec 12, 2015 | 04:50 PM

Reverend Jim

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 198

Likes: 49

From: NJ

'08 Explorer vibration

I'm having a problem with my wife's '08 Explorer, 4.6L, 4x4. Recently she started getting a weird vibration while driving. I took it out and noticed the following: The vibration sounds and feels like you are driving over rumble-strips. It doesn't increase or decrease with speed. You can't feel it in the steering or brakes. It goes for 2 seconds, stops , 2 seconds, and stops. this will happen every 7-10 minutes while driving. It doesn't matter if it's under load, or just coasting. I did notice while it is happening that the tach jumps up about 200 rpm for a second and then back to normal. I've searched and found it could be a possible torque converter issue, or even a bad coil. Any idea where to start looking?

Thanks,
Jim

Dec 12, 2015 | 08:05 PM

05MilMachine

Cargo Master

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 2,066

Likes: 4

From: North Texas

that sounds awfully familiar to when our 2010 broke a tire pressure sensor band. The sensor would work its way around in the tire until it was balanced, then a few miles later get out of balance etc... If it were a rear wheel if wouldn't be in the steering or brakes. Do you have a tire pressure monitor sensor light lit up?

Dec 12, 2015 | 10:36 PM

shorod

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 4,811

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From: Cedar Rapids, IA

Since you mention the tach jumps around I'd suspect an issue in the ignition system. Considering the vehicle age, you might be near being due for a second battery. If you're still on the original battery I'd suggest you replace it before getting too excited about this issue. If you replaced the battery nearly 3 years ago, I'd certainly suggest you consider replacing it again now.

If the battery is new and you're confident that's not the issue, I'd suggest you find someone with a high end scan tool and check for pending diagnostic codes and the individual cylinder misfire count PIDs. You might have a coil that is acting up sporadically and not frequently enough to trigger a diagnostic code and Check Engine Light. Have the spark plugs ever been replaced?

Another issue that might cause the symptoms you describe would be an intermittent MAF sensor. A scan tool with a datastream mode could help diagnose this since the issue seems repeatable.

-Rod

Dec 13, 2015 | 07:15 AM

Reverend Jim

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 198

Likes: 49

From: NJ

Thanks for your replies. There is no tire pressure light illuminated. Rod, I replaced the battery about 3 months ago, and the plugs last year. They have about 20k on them now. All the coil packs are original. (I was thinking about getting the AutoEnginuity program for my 6.0, now might be the time). Again, thanks for the info guys. I'll post if I figure this out.

-Jim

Dec 13, 2015 | 01:48 PM

redfury

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 118

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From: Isanti, MN

The way you describe it, it almost sounds like something is building up pressure and then releasing it. If it isn't speed or RPM dependent, then it shouldn't be anything like coil packs, U joints, tires or suspension components. I'd suspect anything that does the same thing regardless of engine speed. Will it do this if it is sitting idling in the driveway or does the truck have to be moving in order for it to happen? If it's something in the transmission, then you'd want to have a pressure gauge put on it to see what is going on there. The other thing that I can think of that would act that way would be the power steering, but you would think that you would be able to detect that coming from the engine for sure, and likely you'd notice something thru the steering wheel.

If the Transmission is building up pressure and then releasing it, you'd notice a slight gain in rpm as the pressure was released.

Dec 13, 2015 | 01:53 PM

05MilMachine

Cargo Master

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 2,066

Likes: 4

From: North Texas

I suggest driving it until it happens, then sneak your left foot just enough onto the brakes to light the bulbs but not slow the vehicle. This should unlock the converter giving you an rpm increse. See if your symptoms change.

Dec 24, 2015 | 07:58 AM

Reverend Jim

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 198

Likes: 49

From: NJ

Problem solved...

Thanks to all for your input and advice with this problem on my wife's Explorer. Coil packs all checked out good. Turned out to be the torque converter starting to get the dreaded shudder. For now, I put a tube of Dr. Tranny's Shudder Fix in the fluid. All shudder and vibrations are gone. I know it's on borrowed time, but, if it gets me through the winter until I get my tax return I'll be happy.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all FTE members and guests!