Hello. I'm new to this forum, and it appears that I have the same problem with my 2002 Escape transmission.

My 02 Escape produces a pronounced "thump" when accelerating, similar to a transmission changing gears (or driving over little speed bumps). It happens 95% of the time, regardless of speed, road conditions, weather or incline. I've read some posts stating a similar thump when decelerating, but I've never experienced it. If I feather the pedal, ever so gently, I can accelerate without the thump, but it doesn't make sense to drive this way. Under normal acceleration, the thump is always there; even when going down hill. Watching the tachometer indicates that the transmission is not shifting gears.
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Another, possibly related, transmission issue is that there is a "click" sound if I depress the break pedal when the engine is running and the Escape is in park. The click sound does not happen when the Escape is driven or with engine at idle in any gear. My dealer told me this is some sort of transmission shifter linkage that may cause the transmission to get stuck in a gear. He also informed me that it would cost around $500 to fix. Has anyone experienced this, had it fail, and found a less expensive repair option?
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BTW, I don't drive this vehicle very much, and it only has 38000 miles on it.

As the vehicle is out of warranty, does it make sense to go to a non-Ford dealer, or do I stand a chance of Ford helping me out if I go to my dealer?

Sorry for the long post, and thanks for any info/advice you can share.

Dave

 

Hi, I have a 2004 escape 3.0 and noticed at a steady throttle in overdrive is when I notice the shutter happen. I drove in the snow for a distance with the overdrive out and didn't notice the shutter at all. Do you think it may be the torque converter acting up or could it be a wire or internal module of sort, thanks.

 

When mine did this there was a pending code in the CEL. It was a bad coil pack.Also on the CD4E there is a drain plug 3/8 ratchet fits in you can drain trans fluid pretty easy and refill it drains about 4 quarts no filter to change.

 

Thanks for the reply, yes i did replace 2 coil packs and the front 3 plugs. The winter was brutal here and just wanted it to get through till i can pull the intake and do it right. No transmission codes, I usually drain the fluid everyother oil change. Did this 3 days ago and added a shutter preventative but I believe it still shutters.

 

Any chances it being a coil without throwing a code? Also, I had the flex pipe with the wire mesh replaced under the floor boards ( was shot ), had a oil/fuel smell in cab through vents it seems, but since exhaust is fixed the smell still is there. I'm thinking the pcv hose may be filled or kinked, won't know till I pull the intake I guess.

 

The pvc hose on mine burnt through right on the back of intake and was easy to fix.I put a piece of 5/8 heater house on to replace the bad part with out pulling the intake.When mine shuddered there was a pending code no CEL on. It idled perfect and would only shudder at a constant speed over 43 mph.

 

Thank you for the info, appreciate it.