Help! 97 Explorer transmission problem
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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Help! 97 Explorer transmission problem
Hello all, my first post here, spend most my time on the V10 forum. Heres the trouble. 1997 Explorer 4.0 SOHC Control Trac 4x4 167,000 trouble free miles, motor runs perfect, oil stays clean, on the freeway when accelerating gently the tranny skips, it almost feels like the motor is missing but it is'nt, if I give it a lot of gas its fine, only under gentle acceleration when it does'nt downshift, it does'nt matter if its in OD or not, it still does it, I don't even know how to identify what transmission I have, its been that trouble free, nice clean perfect Explorer except for this little bump, any help out here?
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: South Central In.
This a condition called torque shudder, have the trans fluid flushed, yes I said flushed. This happens when the trans fluid starts breaking down. A flush is the only way to get 95% of the bad fluid out... Filter replacement should not be nec. If this does not cure it you will have to have the torque converter replaced.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: South Central In.
A service is when they just drop the pan and replace the filter, pan gasket and about 5-6 of the 14-15 quarts of trans fluid. The flush is performed by attaching a flush machine to the cooler lines at the radiator, it then pushes the old fluid out backwards across the filter(thus eliminating need for replacement) and pushes the new fluid in. Gets about 95% of the dirty fluid that way...
P.S. What does your fluid look and smell like???
P.S. What does your fluid look and smell like???
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thanks again, the fluid is bright pink and sweet smelling, not at all dark or burnt, the Explorer does'nt leak or use a drop of anything, it just has a lot of Oregon to California miles on it, again, thanks for taking the time to answer me.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Cincinnati
Don't think it is the transmission for a second
Problem is ignition breakdown. Something I have experienced several times. Acceleration and under load on hills requires higher voltages at the plug. That is when things break down. Have had plugs with insulator cracks under boot and wire breakdown. Argue all you want but someday you'll see I'm right.
Shudder is not associated with this transmission.
Shudder is not associated with this transmission.
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From: South Central In.
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V10, you've either been very lucky, or do excelllent maintenence to get that many trouble-free miles out of the Explorer. That gives me renewed confidence in mine.
Let me throw out another suggestion. With that many miles, I'll bet it still has the original TPS (throttle position sensor). Since it "skips" at a lower throttle position, I would suspect the TPS as being worn. They tend to wear out at the lower end of their range, where the most throttle movement occurs. This would explain why it accellerates fine at a higher throttle, but skips at a lower throttle. (I assume you don't get a MIL light)
If you have a multimeter, the TPS is very easy to check. Do a search for more info on diagnosing it.
Let me throw out another suggestion. With that many miles, I'll bet it still has the original TPS (throttle position sensor). Since it "skips" at a lower throttle position, I would suspect the TPS as being worn. They tend to wear out at the lower end of their range, where the most throttle movement occurs. This would explain why it accellerates fine at a higher throttle, but skips at a lower throttle. (I assume you don't get a MIL light)
If you have a multimeter, the TPS is very easy to check. Do a search for more info on diagnosing it.
Last edited by thelonerangerxlt; Nov 26, 2003 at 09:50 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
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Thanks again folks, it gives me some things to look out for, my maintenence has been to change oil every 3000mi and tranny every 15,000mi I haven't had any other parts replaced except for battery, pads, and tires of course, I'll replace the wires, plugs and have the tranny flushed. It all makes sense to me for longevity anyway.....