Automatic Transmission jerks hard when shifting
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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Automatic Transmission jerks hard when shifting
I have a 1996 F250 4x4 powerstroke diesel automatic with 126k orignal miles on it. The other day I noticed going from 2nd-3rd gear it sounded like it was stuck and then finally jerked hard and kicked in. I pulled over and checked the trans fluid, it was clean, didn't smell and at the correct level. When I pulled off again and watched the RPM's as it climbed to about 3 before it shifted to 3rd. My friend has the same truck and his shifts alot smoother and I can hear his turbo kick in but not mine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Not good
I have a 1996 F250 4x4 powerstroke diesel automatic with 126k orignal miles on it. The other day I noticed going from 2nd-3rd gear it sounded like it was stuck and then finally jerked hard and kicked in. I pulled over and checked the trans fluid, it was clean, didn't smell and at the correct level. When I pulled off again and watched the RPM's as it climbed to about 3 before it shifted to 3rd. My friend has the same truck and his shifts alot smoother and I can hear his turbo kick in but not mine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Also its really too hard to tell if your transmission has clean fluid from the dip stick alone, that is unless is totally fried. Sipon some out and let it stand and check it out. Any brown hue to the fluid indicates burnt clutches. If you are going to syphon some out make sure that the hose can take the temperature or wait a while for it to cool.
Sorry to say but it sounds just like the way mine was acting before I rebuilt her. Keep us posted.
:?) DRRXR
Last edited by DRRXR; Mar 31, 2009 at 01:10 PM. Reason: typo
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
Is the light flashing on the end of the shift lever when this happens?? If so it could be something as simple as the RABS on the top of the rear differential is bad or dirty.
RABS= Rear Anti-lock Brake Sensor it's also a vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Changing the fluid and filter is cheap and easy to do. It can't hurt to give it a try,
RABS= Rear Anti-lock Brake Sensor it's also a vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Changing the fluid and filter is cheap and easy to do. It can't hurt to give it a try,
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Good Q
Is the light flashing on the end of the shift lever when this happens?? If so it could be something as simple as the RABS on the top of the rear differential is bad or dirty.
RABS= Rear Anti-lock Brake Sensor it's also a vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Changing the fluid and filter is cheap and easy to do. It can't hurt to give it a try,
RABS= Rear Anti-lock Brake Sensor it's also a vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Changing the fluid and filter is cheap and easy to do. It can't hurt to give it a try,
Thats a good Q. Mine never did nada.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,724
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From: Rogersville, TN
my dads started doing that at about 85k miles. it ended up being that sensor and it shifted fine after we fixed it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Ahhh
But hanging and then shifting at 3000, hard does not sound too good.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Clearing my Confusion
Is the light flashing on the end of the shift lever when this happens?? If so it could be something as simple as the RABS on the top of the rear differential is bad or dirty.
RABS= Rear Anti-lock Brake Sensor it's also a vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Changing the fluid and filter is cheap and easy to do. It can't hurt to give it a try,
RABS= Rear Anti-lock Brake Sensor it's also a vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
Changing the fluid and filter is cheap and easy to do. It can't hurt to give it a try,
Are you saying that there is a VSS or a RABS? Just wondering in that I am not sure about this on my own truck. I have the differential sensor and rear drums; is there something else?
Thanks
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
The RABS and the VSS are one in the same. It sends a signal to the PSOM (Programmable Speedometer Odometer Module) for the speedometer and to the RABS module. The trans needs to know how fast the truck is going to set the trans shifts.
It's also used for Rear ABS. It usually collects fine metal particles from the rear differential and the signal gets messed up making the light on the shifter flash.
It's also used for Rear ABS. It usually collects fine metal particles from the rear differential and the signal gets messed up making the light on the shifter flash.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Vss/rabs
The RABS and the VSS are one in the same. It sends a signal to the PSOM (Programmable Speedometer Odometer Module) for the speedometer. The trans needs to know how fast the truck is going to set the trans shifts.
It's also used for Rear ABS. It usually collects fine metal particles from the rear differential and the signal gets messed up.
It's also used for Rear ABS. It usually collects fine metal particles from the rear differential and the signal gets messed up.
cclc1021 has a 96 ? I guess we really just talking about the differential speed sensor in this case. Where is the ABS speed sensor for the front axle?
Sorry cclc1021 not trying to hi-jack your thread.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
REAR Antilock only...no sensors in to the front. BTW: It's not a good idea to call it a speed sensor (VSS) when asking for parts...you will get the wrong part, every time.
Are you sure you don't have RABS?? Pretty sure they all came with it. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong
Are you sure you don't have RABS?? Pretty sure they all came with it. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 129
From: Columbia, MD
Could also be engine electronics problem...
Your transmission symptoms sound like what mine did before the engine lost power, limped home, and didn't start the next day. Shop replaced injector control module and maybe some other electronics (that was a few years ago, with about 180 K or so on the truck). Shop didn't touch the transmission and it's been fine since. The engine problems and maybe "limp home" mode caused the transmission symptoms.
Long way of saying that with integrated engine and transmission controls, your problem may not be the transmission.
Long way of saying that with integrated engine and transmission controls, your problem may not be the transmission.
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