Back in January I bought a 2001 Ford F150 xlt with the 4.2l v6 and automatic transmission with around 157,000 miles. When I first got it I changed ALL the fluids including the transmission and filter. I could tell this was the first time the transmission fluid had been changed because after watching a youtube video they said if a yellow plastic piece was in the pan it was something that is used at the factory and that would indicate that the fluid had never been changed before. I found the yellow plastic piece in my pan when I changed the fluid. The truck (since I bought it) when shifting in and out of overdrive has always had what feels like to me as a shuttering or a hard shift. The shift isn't super hard, but to me it feels like it kind of shakes the truck. All of the other gears shift just fine. I added a bottle of the lucas oil a few months back for transmissions with shifting problem, but it did not help. It has never failed to shift in and out of overdrive.

Just wondering if it is going to eventually leave me on the side of the road one day .

Any comments, advice, or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

brc

 

Have you tried a fresh set of spark plugs?
have you check the U joints?
Have you had it scanned for transmission codes? the OD light on the Shifting stalk or shift lever isn't flashing is it?

 

I did change the spark plugs. I know that in one of my Mom's cars we swore up and down it was the transmission. Had to take it to the dealer and it was a cracked spark plug. So that was one reason I changed the plugs.

I have not had the transmission checked for codes or check the u joints. There are no lights on.

How do you scan the transmission for codes? I have a ob2 scanner or would you have to have a different scan tool?

Thanks so much for the info.

 

When you changed the transmission fluid, how much fluid did you replace? And what fluid did you use?

 

If you are using your own scanner/ reader, or going somewhere to get it scanned, you need to ask/ find out if the scanner is capable of scanning for transmission codes. Some of the cheaper ones only can read generic engine codes and won't be able to read transmission codes. Not sure what you have but, a little interweb searching on your part should give some indication as to your scanner abilities. If it is capable then it is just a matter of plugging it in , following the prompts and scanning.

 

About the transmission fluid I only used the amount that it took to refill the pan back up after dropping the pan and changing the filter. I used whatever type of fluid listed in the owner's manual.

About my scanner. I only use it when any type of light comes on any of my vehicle's dashboard. I have the instructions for it. But I can look it up on the net. It is the kind of scanner you can buy at AutoZone that hangs beside the counter.

The truck runs and looks great for its age. I have already replaced a lot of parts and made many repairs that does not have to do with the transmission or motor.

Thank you both so much for replying. If I can be of further assistance to you please just ask.

 

What is the Transmission fluid level when fully heated.
I ask this because the fluid expands with heat and will show over fill from a cold full fill on the dip stick.
if you are experiencing shutter in OD and light throttle when EGR is called to open under light throttle conditions, the cause is likely to be a faulty ignition coil.
This condition can sometimes case severe jerking and harshness because the trans is already in gear when the PCM interrupts processing to the engine.
Upon down shift, the action will go away until the next time.
The actual cause of these actions is cylinder misfires because the EGR function presents a very lean mixture a faulty coil cannot fire.
The best way to find this is with a Scanner looking at mode 6, test 53. This program location is a record of misfires for all cylinders. Any cylinder that shows a count high and out of limits should have the coil replaced.
Check hot TX fluid level and for misfires.
Good luck.

 

Thanks so much for that info. I would never have thought about a coil going bad.

My coils look like they are made all together and set on top of the motor. I know newer vehicles have coils on each cylinder.

Is this the same as what you are talking about?

 

You need to change the fluid. Changing what's in the pan changes less than half of the fluid. There is a drain plug on the torque converter. Draining the converter will get more fluid out than what's in the pan. Use MERCON V fluid to refill it.

That's the type of scanner that will not read transmission codes.

 

Thanks for the reply. How do you drain The torque converter? I am just not familiar on how to do that. Do you have to remove anything on the transmission to do that?

 

Up thru 2001 ford had a pipe plug in their torque converter. Pull the large rubber plug out of the bottom of the bell housing and you can see the converter, then just turn the engine over untill it comes into view.

 

Thanks so much. I know where that is located. Just didn't know what it was for.