Intermittent Hard Shift/Sputter
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 2
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Intermittent Hard Shift/Sputter
Hello All, this is my first time with a post just joined. Also this is my first truck ever owned and my first Ford.
I have a...
-1993 F-150
-XLT
-310k miles, I think it was a farm truck before, considering all the mud all over the axels caked on thick.
-302 V8 5.0L
-E4OD Transmission
-Since I got it I have been having transmission issues. It used to be every time but not it is intermittently ever since I put some Lucas Oil stop slip in it. I have noticed though if I put it in drive and moved a little forward, then reverse and do the same then repeat like 2-3 times, when I go to drive off it will have smooth shifting. However, it will occasionally during the ride go back into hard shifting for awhile. Sometimes it will go back into smooth shifting again after that. That happened on a 30 minute drive with it. Last night when I drove home from work at 4:30 AM it freaked me out because while I was driving after about 15 mins it started sputtering. Like a kind of consistent jerk like the engine was having a heart attack. However, once I put the gas harder it would rev normal speeding up and the RPMS climbing but once I let off it went back to that jerking.
-The only different thing I did last night was turn the overdrive off before heading out from my work because I had heard a co worker talk about the issues with overdrive on those years. But once I got down the rode a little bit I turned it back on.
Be easy lol I got this truck to learn and start getting some deeper experience repairing vehicles myself. It has been in the shop, and just got out a month ago. The TPS for whatever reason was disconnected ( never touched it) and the ECC was reset. It had been randomly dying while i was driving back before it went into the shop. It would start back up after a few minutes, go like 50 ft then shut off. No warning or sputter. But thats what previous issues were happening. it hasnt done it since.
I have a...
-1993 F-150
-XLT
-310k miles, I think it was a farm truck before, considering all the mud all over the axels caked on thick.
-302 V8 5.0L
-E4OD Transmission
-Since I got it I have been having transmission issues. It used to be every time but not it is intermittently ever since I put some Lucas Oil stop slip in it. I have noticed though if I put it in drive and moved a little forward, then reverse and do the same then repeat like 2-3 times, when I go to drive off it will have smooth shifting. However, it will occasionally during the ride go back into hard shifting for awhile. Sometimes it will go back into smooth shifting again after that. That happened on a 30 minute drive with it. Last night when I drove home from work at 4:30 AM it freaked me out because while I was driving after about 15 mins it started sputtering. Like a kind of consistent jerk like the engine was having a heart attack. However, once I put the gas harder it would rev normal speeding up and the RPMS climbing but once I let off it went back to that jerking.
-The only different thing I did last night was turn the overdrive off before heading out from my work because I had heard a co worker talk about the issues with overdrive on those years. But once I got down the rode a little bit I turned it back on.
Be easy lol I got this truck to learn and start getting some deeper experience repairing vehicles myself. It has been in the shop, and just got out a month ago. The TPS for whatever reason was disconnected ( never touched it) and the ECC was reset. It had been randomly dying while i was driving back before it went into the shop. It would start back up after a few minutes, go like 50 ft then shut off. No warning or sputter. But thats what previous issues were happening. it hasnt done it since.
5 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 1,186
From: Ocean Springs MS
When I owned a 1993 I had a few transmission issues that were solved by dropping the trans oil pan, changing the filter and refilling to proper level using the correct OEM fluid. My issue was associated with intermittent failure to engage. If you have trans issues check your trans fluid regularly. Read both sides of the stick and do not overfill.
If you have not changed the fuel filter then change it. They sometimes accumulate water especially on vehicles that sit for extended periods.
Look for vacuum leaks. I believe (??) you have a vacuum modulator on your trans and if you do, change it, the diaphragms fail after 30 years.
Report back with progress
If you have not changed the fuel filter then change it. They sometimes accumulate water especially on vehicles that sit for extended periods.
Look for vacuum leaks. I believe (??) you have a vacuum modulator on your trans and if you do, change it, the diaphragms fail after 30 years.
Report back with progress
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
thank you Jimboy! I will start to check these things and report back on progress :-)
When I owned a 1993 I had a few transmission issues that were solved by dropping the trans oil pan, changing the filter and refilling to proper level using the correct OEM fluid. My issue was associated with intermittent failure to engage. If you have trans issues check your trans fluid regularly. Read both sides of the stick and do not overfill.
If you have not changed the fuel filter then change it. They sometimes accumulate water especially on vehicles that sit for extended periods.
Look for vacuum leaks. I believe (??) you have a vacuum modulator on your trans and if you do, change it, the diaphragms fail after 30 years.
Report back with progress
If you have not changed the fuel filter then change it. They sometimes accumulate water especially on vehicles that sit for extended periods.
Look for vacuum leaks. I believe (??) you have a vacuum modulator on your trans and if you do, change it, the diaphragms fail after 30 years.
Report back with progress
5 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 7,704
Likes: 2,188
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11,256
Likes: 1,769
From: Memphis, TN, Earth, Milky Way
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Phone apps don't always show signatures, so you may need to switch to a real browser in desktop mode on your phone, or just use a desktop/laptop computer. Put your location in your profile & upload an avatar of the truck. The more pics you post of the truck, engine, wiring, labels, & undercarriage, the more likely we can help you. Not all its details are relevant to these issues, but you don't necessarily know which ones are relevant, so just put everything in now.What, exactly? Occasional hard shifting? That seems to be the only "transmission issue" you described. But a harsh feeling during a shift isn't necessarily a transmission issue. It could be engine, suspension, driveshaft/u-joint, rear axle, or engine/trans mounts.Bad idea. Ford specifically advises AGAINST snake-oils.That really sounds like broken engine mounts. Study this page & the links on it:
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For how long? For what? What exact repairs were done? Did each repair solve some particular symptom? List each one specifically. Include a list of all parts - pics of the new parts would be useful, too.