shuddering problem help needed
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 51
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shuddering problem help needed
Hi Guys,
Great site here - I have learned a lot about my truck just reading/searching. I have searched for my problem, but haven't found what I am looking for.
My Truck - 1997 F350 Crew (diesel) w/ original tranny (I believe) and 187K on the odometer. I bought this truck in June 08. I use this for work and tow a lot of the time. Total trailer/load weight is between 3-8,000 lbs. Lots of interstate and some backroads.
The symptom - usually when towing a trailer, I will be driving around 45-60mph and the truck will start to shudder and lose power. This happens most often when going up a hill or getting up to highway speed. It is intermittent, but seems to be happening more often.
It seems to be something with the Transmission. Fluid seems clean and not burnt. Fluid level is good. How can I narrow down the problem?
Thanks,
Jason
Great site here - I have learned a lot about my truck just reading/searching. I have searched for my problem, but haven't found what I am looking for.
My Truck - 1997 F350 Crew (diesel) w/ original tranny (I believe) and 187K on the odometer. I bought this truck in June 08. I use this for work and tow a lot of the time. Total trailer/load weight is between 3-8,000 lbs. Lots of interstate and some backroads.
The symptom - usually when towing a trailer, I will be driving around 45-60mph and the truck will start to shudder and lose power. This happens most often when going up a hill or getting up to highway speed. It is intermittent, but seems to be happening more often.
It seems to be something with the Transmission. Fluid seems clean and not burnt. Fluid level is good. How can I narrow down the problem?
Thanks,
Jason
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 174
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From: Mountains of N. Montana
Sounds to me like you might be having some torque converter issues ie the lock up clutch could be slipping or warped.. or the lock up solonoid isnt fully engaging the converter's lockup feature causing chatter. Do you use tow/haul mode or let it run in "normal" positiono all or most of the time loaded? I'd probably take it to someone you trust, that KNOWS Ford automatics...before the converter comes apart and smokes the rest of the transmission... I may well be wrong.. but I've seen this before and from what you are describing... sounds like converter.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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Thanks for the replies.
-engine oil level is good - this is one thing I check regularly.
- this seems to happen whether the truck is warm or cold. I haven't noticed a pattern.
When I have a trailer on, I generally turn overdrive off unless I am on the interstate or an extremely flat and empty road. It does seem tranny related, but I am anything but an expert.
I forgot to mention that when I bought this truck I was told there was a Banks chip in there - don't know if that could have anything to do with it.
Can you test a torque converter or is it best to just replace it? When it goes out, does it always take the tranny with it?
Thanks
-engine oil level is good - this is one thing I check regularly.
- this seems to happen whether the truck is warm or cold. I haven't noticed a pattern.
When I have a trailer on, I generally turn overdrive off unless I am on the interstate or an extremely flat and empty road. It does seem tranny related, but I am anything but an expert.
I forgot to mention that when I bought this truck I was told there was a Banks chip in there - don't know if that could have anything to do with it.
Can you test a torque converter or is it best to just replace it? When it goes out, does it always take the tranny with it?
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
It could be the torque converter shuttering. An easy way to test and possible fix for quite some time is to change the transmission fluid but when putting new fluid in use ATF+3. Its a Chrysler fluid but I as well as my dad have used it for many years fixing the TC shutter on Ford of our customers. I used it on my previous truck that had a shutter when I bought it. Changed the fluid and 3 years and 40K later no issues. Sold the truck but its probably still going strong 2 years later.
