Shudder in overdrive...tranny, plugs, COPs, oh my!
03-25-2010, 02:35 PM
#11
Matt
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I have a 04 4x4 that was doing the same thing, it has 131,000 on it and i just changed the plugs. What a headache that was. That stopped the studder. Smoothed out the idle and runs alot better. If you havn't changed the plugs try that. I know they are a b*&%ch to get out, but it helped my truck.
03-25-2010, 04:24 PM
#12
Something
try cheap first
My 05 5.4 XLT does this. Usually on flat terrain while at steady speed of 50-60 MPH, most noticable at 55mph, much more noticable at that exact speed in fact. I've changed everything (not for the shudder reason, it was just time), plugs, coils (which were all rusty and nasty, and what a bi*ch to do those back ones) suspension parts (again for other reasons mostly), and I still have the shudder.
Like most threads, it feels like running over rumble strips. I think I have a small leak in my exhaust manifold or in my intake somewhere, but I am getting different symptoms for that issue. I am mostly counting on this shudder to be torque converter related, although the tranny runs pretty well otherwise. It is not the back end either as I get no other symptom of differential issues and the clutches work great. Just my two cents on that. Try cheap first, if all else fails, either deal with the shudder or go pay someone lots of money to drop the transmission. I am hoping I can just deal with the shudder and the transmission doesn't fail on me somewhere far from home.
Like most threads, it feels like running over rumble strips. I think I have a small leak in my exhaust manifold or in my intake somewhere, but I am getting different symptoms for that issue. I am mostly counting on this shudder to be torque converter related, although the tranny runs pretty well otherwise. It is not the back end either as I get no other symptom of differential issues and the clutches work great. Just my two cents on that. Try cheap first, if all else fails, either deal with the shudder or go pay someone lots of money to drop the transmission. I am hoping I can just deal with the shudder and the transmission doesn't fail on me somewhere far from home.
03-28-2010, 10:09 PM
#13
Member
Thread Starter
so i called a couple dealers nearby and one told me they can diagnose it for free, so after about 2 hours in the waiting room he tells me there are 2 bad coils (2 and 8) and also 4 bad plugs. Said they can do the work for $940 and if a plug breaks its like $100 per plug to "drill them out."
Im going to replace the 2 coils and see if that does it, just trying to get into good shape to sell. I will leave the plugs up to someone who has the money or time to do it. Cant afford the thing anymore!
Im going to replace the 2 coils and see if that does it, just trying to get into good shape to sell. I will leave the plugs up to someone who has the money or time to do it. Cant afford the thing anymore!
03-28-2010, 11:17 PM
#14
Senior Member
Hahahahahaha 940? What a joke that's like 150 bucks in parts and the plugs aren't too too bad to do yourself if you have the tool and or time. I say get it all done yourself (at least coils) and take it to a local family owned shop and give the mechanic the plug change TSB. Should be all done for under 400 bucks with everything...also I wouldn't completely believe the coils are shot until you get a second opinion.
03-28-2010, 11:46 PM
#15
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2005 FX4 5.4L, 137k miles
ok ive read most of the posts for this issue. while cruising at about 50mph and in overdrive and heading up a moderate incline the whole truck shudders once or a few times until i press the gas enough to downshift into passing gear or whatever. I have read that it could be the tranny or a misfire. there has to be an easy test to determine which of these 2 it is... right?
I have bought a new COP ($40) and moved it around in 6 cylinders so far, others are hard to reach and I havent tackled them yet, but im losing hope and thinking it may be a bigger deal than a COP. I have read that the COPs start acting up when theyre hot and that is the only time i get the shudder. In the mornings i get right on the highway and try to make the truck shudder but cant do it until the engine gets hot. Could this rule out the tranny? I dont mind replacing all 8 COPs if im damn sure thats the cause, but I would like to avoid it if theyre fine.
I have read it could be trans fluid "breaking down" but i changed the fluid and filter no more then 12k miles ago.
i guess my question, should I keep switching out COPs? I know it could be more than one COP, but is there a certain symptom i can look for to tell if this could be either a bad COP or the tranny?
any help is appreciated!
ok ive read most of the posts for this issue. while cruising at about 50mph and in overdrive and heading up a moderate incline the whole truck shudders once or a few times until i press the gas enough to downshift into passing gear or whatever. I have read that it could be the tranny or a misfire. there has to be an easy test to determine which of these 2 it is... right?
I have bought a new COP ($40) and moved it around in 6 cylinders so far, others are hard to reach and I havent tackled them yet, but im losing hope and thinking it may be a bigger deal than a COP. I have read that the COPs start acting up when theyre hot and that is the only time i get the shudder. In the mornings i get right on the highway and try to make the truck shudder but cant do it until the engine gets hot. Could this rule out the tranny? I dont mind replacing all 8 COPs if im damn sure thats the cause, but I would like to avoid it if theyre fine.
I have read it could be trans fluid "breaking down" but i changed the fluid and filter no more then 12k miles ago.
i guess my question, should I keep switching out COPs? I know it could be more than one COP, but is there a certain symptom i can look for to tell if this could be either a bad COP or the tranny?
any help is appreciated!
03-30-2010, 02:18 AM
#16
You say you changed the fluid/filter, did you flush it or drain the pan and refill it? If you just drained the pan, you might as well consider that the same as peeing in a swimming pool and calling it full of pee. Doing a flush changes a VERY high percentage of the fluid. I know on some Fords the torque converter has a small plug that you can pull out that drains a good 10 quarts of fluid, that along with draining the pan would net you 13-14ish quarts easy. I've fixed a lot of overdrive 'misfires' on older (2000ish) F150s by draining the fluid as mentioned above.
03-30-2010, 07:29 AM
#17
Moderator (Ret.)
I'm not completely sold though that your shudder is due to the transmission though. If it were the culprit, I'd think it would do this hot or cold, and you mention it does this only when warmed up.
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); 03-30-2010 at 07:33 AM.
06-03-2010, 11:26 AM
#18
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i would rule the trans out unless when u feel this ur rpms spike. check the vacuum lines and pcv/egr valve. check #4 and 8 coils i would replace them last since they r most expensive. but the wires themselves seem to be the problem most of the time but still replave the plugs. then just check all the wire harnesses to see if they are lose. Lastly (even after trying new coils) replace the fuel filter and check gas pressure as well as checking the injection rails for bends.
I had the same problem AAMCO wanted $2200 and told me it was the transmission without a doubt. I did a tune up and replaced the fuel filter and that took care of it. so i wouldnt trust aamco.(fuel pump went out a week before but that was unrelated since i replaced it and it still jumped)
I had the same problem AAMCO wanted $2200 and told me it was the transmission without a doubt. I did a tune up and replaced the fuel filter and that took care of it. so i wouldnt trust aamco.(fuel pump went out a week before but that was unrelated since i replaced it and it still jumped)
02-20-2011, 10:04 PM
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[quote=truckbed;439754]2005 FX4 5.4L, 137k miles
ok ive read most of the posts for this issue. while cruising at about 50mph and in overdrive and heading up a moderate incline the whole truck shudders once or a few times until i press the gas enough to downshift into passing gear or whatever. I have read that it could be the tranny or a misfire. there has to be an easy test to determine which of these 2 it is... right?
I am having the same problem. I had to have a mechanic do a diagnostic drive test. There were no stored codes but there is a missfire. I have been trouble shooting all weekend, new coil packs and checked the plugs as they were new. the coil packs check out but I accidentally found tiny cracks in the insulator on the spark plug that is causing the problem. Word to the wise when it comes to replacing the plugs motorcraft or better! you get what you pay for, stay away from AUTOLITE, I will be changing them back to motorcraft tomorrow, I will keep you posted.
ok ive read most of the posts for this issue. while cruising at about 50mph and in overdrive and heading up a moderate incline the whole truck shudders once or a few times until i press the gas enough to downshift into passing gear or whatever. I have read that it could be the tranny or a misfire. there has to be an easy test to determine which of these 2 it is... right?
I am having the same problem. I had to have a mechanic do a diagnostic drive test. There were no stored codes but there is a missfire. I have been trouble shooting all weekend, new coil packs and checked the plugs as they were new. the coil packs check out but I accidentally found tiny cracks in the insulator on the spark plug that is causing the problem. Word to the wise when it comes to replacing the plugs motorcraft or better! you get what you pay for, stay away from AUTOLITE, I will be changing them back to motorcraft tomorrow, I will keep you posted.
Last edited by pluckydog40; 02-20-2011 at 10:12 PM. Reason: needed to add detail
