Notices
Excursion - King of SUVs 2000 - 2005 Ford Excursion
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rough idle, poor shifting when cold

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 29, 2010 | 12:42 AM
  #1  
FICMrepair.com's Avatar
FICMrepair.com
Thread Starter
|
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 6
Rough idle, poor shifting when cold

I’ve only had my 05 PSD Ex for a few months. It’s got 127K on it. When I first got in the winter, I didn’t think much of having to let it warm up several minutes before driving anywhere, since not doing so would result in it not exactly ‘wanting’ to shift out of first gear and I knew it was good to let it warm up just anyway.

Now that it’s summer though, I’m still having the same sort of issue. It just doesn’t like not being warmed up. When it was 90 out the other day, it took the better part of a mile to begin idling smoothly and to begin shifting at the proper points – AFTER letting it idle a good 30 seconds after startup.

Is there something that I can do about this or is it considered normal? I am planning on changing the trans fluid and filters this weekend in hopes to make a difference that way.
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2010 | 01:12 AM
  #2  
CHELLIE's Avatar
CHELLIE
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: hesperia calif.
Originally Posted by 5030tinkerer
I’ve only had my 05 PSD Ex for a few months. It’s got 127K on it. When I first got in the winter, I didn’t think much of having to let it warm up several minutes before driving anywhere, since not doing so would result in it not exactly ‘wanting’ to shift out of first gear and I knew it was good to let it warm up just anyway.

Now that it’s summer though, I’m still having the same sort of issue. It just doesn’t like not being warmed up. When it was 90 out the other day, it took the better part of a mile to begin idling smoothly and to begin shifting at the proper points – AFTER letting it idle a good 30 seconds after startup.

Is there something that I can do about this or is it considered normal? I am planning on changing the trans fluid and filters this weekend in hopes to make a difference that way.
there could be a lot of things that will cause that, Idle air control, TPS, coolant sensor, mass sensor, vacuum leak, EGR etc. is the check eng light on,
have the truck Diag by a pro at a shop , scan for codes, with that many miles, a lot of things could be wrong, newer trucks are impossible for the back yard mech to work on now days, unless you have the proper test equipment and training, just my 2 cents worth, Take care, Chellie
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2010 | 01:30 AM
  #3  
mark996's Avatar
mark996
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett,TX
Wonder if the thermostat could be stuck too. There are just too many things to diagnose here, like Chellie said. Get it to a shop, hook it up and see where you're at. Just too many variables to throw in to the mix, would be diagnosing it yourself under a tree for weeks before figuring it out. Unless you're one lucky guy.
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2010 | 07:08 AM
  #4  
FICMrepair.com's Avatar
FICMrepair.com
Thread Starter
|
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 6
It's helpful to know that my experience isn't normal - thank you!

There isn't a check engine light on, no.

Just some extra info - If I don't let it warm up before driving, fuel economy takes a MAJOR hit. Not sure if that helps diagnose things or not.

Are codes set if the Check Engine hit never has come on? Is there a key off/key on sequence that allows you to check the codes yourself by counting flashes of the check engine light? I remember that being possible in the older Fords...
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2010 | 11:56 AM
  #5  
CHELLIE's Avatar
CHELLIE
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: hesperia calif.
Older vehicles had the OBD1 and newer Vehicles have the OHD2, with the OBD1, i belive you could use a jumper in the test plug to make the ck eng light flash, I dont think you can with the OBD2, a proper scan tool is required, you can buy a simple scan tool to check for hidden codes, but the OBD2 system stores a lot of valuable information, that can really help to diag the problem, and the simple scan tools just dont have the electronics built into them to use this info, a snap on , OTC, etc scaners are needed, and they are Big Big Bucks, Diag Scan tools are a must now days with newer vehicles,
I am a Female Fleet Equipment Mechanic, with my own newer vehicles, I take them to the shop to be Diag and repaired, because i dont have the thousands of dollars of scan test equipment to properly Diag/Test my own vehicles with, and i will not spend all that money for test equipment, when its cheaper for me to just take it to a shop that has made the investment for scan test equipment, and they are up to par with the factory training. I have been to ford and chevy factory training classes for OBD1 and OBD2, and everything keeps changing, updates are needed every year for newer vehicles, Thank Goodness i am retiring this July, 35 years as a Fleet Equipment Tech Take care, Chellie
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:19 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE