Shaking/Studdering
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Shaking/Studdering
My 2001 F150 has unusual shaking and studdering. This has been on and off for the past year or so. It usually happens between 40-60 mph and when I excelerate to 70 to 80 the shaking stops. It also happens when driving up hill or against a hard wind. I've had the tires inspected/balanced and 3 plugs and coils replaced. Now it's at the point where just driving around town at 30 mph, the shaking begins. Any thoughts?
JT
JT
Laughing Gas
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From: DC
You might want to do a search for "torque converter shudder". I'm not sure it sounds like what you're describing, but it may be. Read up on it and you can decide. If you think it is converter shudder, changing the trans fluid usually solves it.
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Thanks, I've been reading about the converter shudder, and it does sound similar to what I'm experiencing. When this happens my pickup seems to be "loose" or slipping and usually when this happens if I excelerate or slow down it's o.k. Almost like I have to find the right speed for the shudder to stop. How can I tell the difference between an engine miss and the tc shudder? Is there a difference? My truck has about 103 thousand miles on it. Another problem I've been having is when trying to start it. sometimes I hear a terrible noise. like if I already had the pickup running and accidently tried to start it again...that kind of noise. I'm a novice when it comes to this stuff! my Ford dealer seems to have no clue...thanks
Laughing Gas
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From: DC
At 103k, if you've never changed the tranny fluid it makes sense to do it. Ford recommends a change every 30,000. For some strange reason, it really makes a difference. Be sure whoever changes the fluid uses the right kind. I pretty sure (but not possitive) a 2001 takes Mercon V.
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Yeah, the others are originals. A plug and coil certainly isn't cheap! I'm going to try the transmission flush first and see if that helps. again this has been on and off for that past year, do you think i've done serious damage to my truck?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
I would replace the other spark plugs but not the coils. Plug problems are more common than coil problems.....at least where I work they are.
If the transmission has never been flushed it's due whether it fixes the problem or not.
I doubt you're hurt anything by driving it.
If the transmission has never been flushed it's due whether it fixes the problem or not.
I doubt you're hurt anything by driving it.
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More Turbo
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From: MICHIGAN
My 98' F150 4.6L started to shutter when it shifted from 2ed to 3rd and then was fine after that. It has 139,800 mi on it. I had the trans fluid and filter changed, (not flushed) and the shutter went away. It almost feels like a new trans.
I was told NOT to power flush the trans if it has over 100K and was not maintained every 30,000. I guess it will do more harm then good.
I was told NOT to power flush the trans if it has over 100K and was not maintained every 30,000. I guess it will do more harm then good.
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Well, I finally got my pick up in to the Ford dealership here in town..they took it out for 30 miles onthe computer and the only thing that showed up was a slight mis fire on the #5 cylinder. they said if it was a torque converter problem it would have shown up on the computer. this mis fire is so slight, they just don't want to throw a 100 bucks at it with a new plug and coil to see if it works...the pick up isn't as bad as it was, but still is there...any ideas?
Posting Guru
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From: Chicago Area
Are you saying that at 103,000 miles you still have some original plugs? You really should replace those as Racerguy said. Kinda' strange to just do partial, but the back ones are hard to get at. Use Motorcraft. I'd buy a new #5 coil and stick it in too, while you're in there. If money's a problem, do the plugs first.
PS: I have had that "terrible noise" occasionally since new, and now have 128,000 miles. Apparently the starter sometimes doesn't fully engage.
PS: I have had that "terrible noise" occasionally since new, and now have 128,000 miles. Apparently the starter sometimes doesn't fully engage.
Last edited by MrBSS; Nov 14, 2006 at 05:41 PM.
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You can get a coil pack for 50 bucks and Motorcraft spark plugs are like 3 bucks a piece at Autozone! Replace all your plugs and the coil pack on the cylinder that is misfiring. It is a PIA to change the rear 4 plugs but they should all be changed at the same time.
If you really don't feel like changing all the plugs then just change the plug and coil on the cylinder with the misfire. Cylinder 5 is the one closest to the front of the truck on the driver's side which is simple to change!
If you really don't feel like changing all the plugs then just change the plug and coil on the cylinder with the misfire. Cylinder 5 is the one closest to the front of the truck on the driver's side which is simple to change!
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I have been having the same symtpoms with my '99 F-150. Is it possible that a coil could be misfiring and not trigger the Check Engine light? I have noticed that I have an extremely bad vibration starting about 40mph. Every once in a while I will have a
brief studder. My truck is a V8 5.4L. I changed plugs about a year ago and changed transmission fluid. Do any of you have any opinions about what I am experiencing? I have already forked over about $600 to find the problem, but nothing yet. The vibration that I feel almost makes me think that my truck is just loosening up and preparing to fall apart. I also have a shimmy/shudder when I accelerate from a dead stop. Sometimes you can hear a weird low rubbing sound when you make a right hand turn. Any suggestions are appreciated.
brief studder. My truck is a V8 5.4L. I changed plugs about a year ago and changed transmission fluid. Do any of you have any opinions about what I am experiencing? I have already forked over about $600 to find the problem, but nothing yet. The vibration that I feel almost makes me think that my truck is just loosening up and preparing to fall apart. I also have a shimmy/shudder when I accelerate from a dead stop. Sometimes you can hear a weird low rubbing sound when you make a right hand turn. Any suggestions are appreciated.
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My problem is the same with the exception of the rubbing sound when turning. I drove 120 miles a few weeks ago and the shaking and shuddering return...this time though the check engine light finally came on! There was no Ford dealership where i was so i took it to a Chevy dealership and they put it on the computer and found a mis fire in #3, but theres a new plug and coil on 3. They also said my engine was running cooler than it should...not by much, but they said my thermostat may be going. They told me to flush the transmission, but i've read on one of these posts that flushing at 105 thousand miles does more harm than good...the tranmissions never been serviced before. should i just go ahead and CHANGE the fluid and filter or flush it? what about the termostat problem? thanks
Posting Guru
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From: Chicago Area
In my opinion, you should change the fluid (but without a power flush). I believe this may solve your problem because the condition of the fluid seems to be important, but in any event, it will NOT do "more harm than good". If the trans is failing, it may still fail, but if it is not failing, you may be able to prevent further deterioration.
If they say you have a misfire, then you probably have a misfire. The COP could be defective, or something installed incorrectly, or another problem such as an injector. I would also change the thermostat, as that is cheap.
If they say you have a misfire, then you probably have a misfire. The COP could be defective, or something installed incorrectly, or another problem such as an injector. I would also change the thermostat, as that is cheap.
Last edited by MrBSS; Dec 8, 2006 at 09:42 AM.
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I have a "new-to-me" 98 4x4 Expedition with the 5.4 and 107,000 miles.
I'm experiencing the exact same problem. I call it a "shudder" at 40 and 60 mph. Today it started up at 30 mph. Almost feels like I can't go faster when I reach those speeds. I simply let off the accelerator, then push it down again and all is well. It doesn't happen all the time. Drove around all day yesterday and didn't experience at all.
My CEL light came on around the same time this started (about a week ago), not sure if it is related, and registered Code 1131 (O2 sensor on the passenger side - lean).
I suggest we keep this thread alive to troubleshoot. I took my truck in to the mechanic today and told him about it. Someone on here mentioned Technical Service Bulletin 99-18-5 as a possible answer to this problem. It deals with a transmission delay in shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Unfortunately, I'm not experiencing this at the speeds the TSB mentions.
So, to make sure I've got this straight. Other possible answers are the spark plugs and transmission fluid? Anything else? lol.
I'll let you all know what my mechanic thinks and report back.
I'm experiencing the exact same problem. I call it a "shudder" at 40 and 60 mph. Today it started up at 30 mph. Almost feels like I can't go faster when I reach those speeds. I simply let off the accelerator, then push it down again and all is well. It doesn't happen all the time. Drove around all day yesterday and didn't experience at all.
My CEL light came on around the same time this started (about a week ago), not sure if it is related, and registered Code 1131 (O2 sensor on the passenger side - lean).
I suggest we keep this thread alive to troubleshoot. I took my truck in to the mechanic today and told him about it. Someone on here mentioned Technical Service Bulletin 99-18-5 as a possible answer to this problem. It deals with a transmission delay in shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Unfortunately, I'm not experiencing this at the speeds the TSB mentions.
So, to make sure I've got this straight. Other possible answers are the spark plugs and transmission fluid? Anything else? lol.
I'll let you all know what my mechanic thinks and report back.