Jerky (pulsating) shifting at low speeds - is this normal?

[Ozz]

Greetings,
I recently bought a MM (8-21-02 build date) and am just 'shaking it down' now. I noticed that the up-shifting is 'jerky' at low speeds durning light throttle. It's not an abrupt shift, it is more of a pulsating feeling as it shifts. I do not have traction control so it's not TC kicking in.
Is this common? Is it a known problem? Should I make a service appointment? Is there a TSB# or anything I should give them?
My warranty runs out on 8-27-05 so I want to take it in and get any problems taken care of before then.

It smoked on start up one time but has not done it again (even after sitting for 7 days...) so I am going to consider it a non-issue but I will mention it when I take it in just to get it on the record.

Other than that there are a few rattle issues but that is all.

Thanks!

[STLR FN]

The jerky up shift is "normal" but a tune by Lidio or Dennis Reinhart will take care of that. Now the blue smoke on start up has been an issue on numerous Marauders and having the dealer fix it is ...well good luck. Others will chime in with more knowledge.
Greetings,
I recently bought a MM (8-21-02 build date) and am just 'shaking it down' now. I noticed that the up-shifting is 'jerky' at low speeds durning light throttle. It's not an abrupt shift, it is more of a pulsating feeling as it shifts. I do not have traction control so it's not TC kicking in.
Is this common? Is it a known problem? Should I make a service appointment? Is there a TSB# or anything I should give them?
My warranty runs out on 8-27-05 so I want to take it in and get any problems taken care of before then.

It smoked on start up one time but has not done it again (even after sitting for 7 days...) so I am going to consider it a non-issue but I will mention it when I take it in just to get it on the record.

Other than that there are a few rattle issues but that is all.

Thanks!

[RF Overlord]

(8-21-02 build date)I noticed that the up-shifting is 'jerky' at low speeds durning light throttle. It's not an abrupt shift, it is more of a pulsating feeling as it shifts.Ozz...how many miles? Your description sounds like torque converter clutch shudder...if the car has more than 30,000 miles, get the transmission fluid and filter changed, then change it every 15,000 after that, especially if you drive in a "spirited" fashion... ;)

[STLR FN]

I hope it's not that in mine. I have 24K now, bought it with 10K on the car in Jan. and it's done the herky jerky up-shifts since the day I bought mine.
Ozz...how many miles? Your description sounds like torque converter clutch shudder...if the car has more than 30,000 miles, get the transmission fluid and filter changed, then change it every 15,000 after that, especially if you drive in a "spirited" fashion... ;)

[ckadiddle]

I feel that jerky shift thing every once in a while.

[RF Overlord]

STLR and kadiddle:

If you don't have a chip or re-flashed PCM, then the transmission DOES upshift rather early, and can sort of "lunge" when the TCC engages at low speeds under light throttle. That part is normal. If the shifts feel more like they're "shuddering" into gear (like running over rumble strips, or when the motor has a mis-fire), then that's another story...this shuddering is caused by a breakdown of the fluid/friction surface interface in the torque converter clutch, and is 99% of the time cured by changing the fluid, preferably by flushing it ALL out, but a simple pan-drop can also be effective.

[Ozz]

The car has 23,000 miles. I think I will take it in and see what the dealer says. It's a rare occasion when it does not 'shudder' when upshifting. It does feel like I ran over a couple of rumble strips when it happens... If I am really on it, it shifts fine (actually a little mushy) but normal upshifts are rough.

As for the Lidio or Reinhart tune, since this is 'our' car, my wife has made it pretty clear that she does not want anything too radical done to the car. :rolleyes:

I am not at all impressed with the tranny calibration so I think I may have a chance with her on fixing that.

Will the problem be covered by the warranty?

[RF Overlord]

As for the Lidio or Reinhardt tune, since this is 'our' car, my wife has made it pretty clear that she does not want anything too radical done to the car. Neither Lidio's nor Dennis's tune would be considered "radical"...they are both excellent tunes that simply make the car behave the way the factory SHOULD have made it.

Both tunes will give you better throttle response and take care of the "economy-mode" shift schedule, but unless she is very perceptive and drives in a "performance" manner herself, your wife would in all probabilty not even notice the difference...bear in mind, though, that neither of these tunes will fix the TCC shudder issue, if that's what you have...a fluid exchange is the only cure.

Yes, TCC shudder is (well, is SUPPOSED to be) covered by the warranty...at least it was in my '94 SuperCoupe...

[Ozz]

Are they plug in chips or do they need to dyno the car to get it right? ...yea, I know I need to go check out their websites...

Do you think a decent dealer would change the fluid under warranty for someone who just bought the car used (from a private party), two weeks before the warranty expires???
If not, is it something you'd trust to a service shop (GoodYear, Sears, Midas, etc) or do you recommend the dealership? The dealer is within walking distance of my house so it's not a big deal other than the cost of Ford techs.

EDIT: I see you answered my question about TCC warranty coverage above... Thanks.

EDIT 2: Alternative Automotive is local... I may have to go pay them a visit :D .

[RF Overlord]

Are they plug in chips or do they need to dyno the car to get it right?Both Dennis and Lidio sell chips and hand-held flashers...discuss your needs with them to determine which is the appropriate choice for you. No, they don't NEED to dyno the car to get it 95% "right", but a dyno session is good to verify that all is well with your car...and gives you a baseline for when you start to mod...and you WILL start to mod...oh, yes...sooner or later, you will start to mod...(cackle...cackle) You will be assimilated! Resistance is futile!
is it something you'd trust to a service shop (GoodYear, Sears, Midas, etc) or do you recommend the dealership?If you have a KNOWN GOOD service shop, changing the fluid is not rocket science...otherwise, the dealer is probably better. It's also very simple to do yourself...a little messy, but very simple.

[Ozz]

I can pull the pan and change the filter, fluid and pan gasket but what about all the oil in the converter - does it need to come out? If so, how?
Would the dealership do any more than what I could do?

[RF Overlord]

Would the dealership do any more than what I could do?They may or may not...I believe current practise is to disconnect a cooler line and use a fluid exchanger which would get about 95% or so of the fluid. Or they might just do a pan-drop, but that might also be all that's necessary in your case. If you do it yourself, you may have to do the job a couple of times over a short interval to clear the issue, but it's a heck of a lot less expensive (dealer will get over $100 for a flush). It's your call, but by doing yourself you also have the opportunity to install a larger pan or at least a pan with a drain plug, making future changes so much easier and less messy. I installed a Ford pan from an F-250 (IIRC) that I got from Dennis, which comes with a factory drain plug and looks perfectly stock. I can do a trans fluid change in less time than a motor oil change. (BTW, the filter doesn't need changing every time...every other time is more than sufficient, and the pan gasket is designed to be reused)

[ckadiddle]

I have a local friend I trust that owns a tranny shop. I have been meaning to get both our cars by there for routine tranny service. My preferred practice is to get the transmission serviced once a year regardless what the book says. We put low miles on the cars, but its nearly all around town in Florida heat.

[jstevens]

Ozz,

Where are you located?
Are you going to MVIII? check out www.motorcitymarauders.com

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread.

[Lowell]

You state that you have a 300A built 8-02. You have a shudder and blue smoke. Make certain the your car has had a Ford warranty update on your ecm programming. If your MM has had this you will have a sticker on your core support. My MM shifted quite differently after this factory update. My MM built 7-02. Blue smoke on start up,I have had this issue also. I got my MM back last Friday, 8-5-05, having valve guide seals replaced. One side of engine has sloppy tolerences, dealer has ordered one complete head assembly. When does your warranty run out? Best of luck. Lowell.

[Ozz]

Warranty runs out 8/27/05 so I don't have much time...

[David Morton]

It does feel like I ran over a couple of rumble strips when it happens...THAT is the symptom of the fluid related problem.
Warranty will NOT cover it.
Here in Bradenton several repair shops are doing the "cooler line" fluid change for $70-$100. I had a 97 GM, did the same thing at 25,000 and it came back at 50,000. The filter does NOT need to be changed and IMO you're better off if those LOF monkeys at the shops don't get inside your pan! Just do the fluid change and know that your transmission will benefit from fresh fluid that lubricates better for longer life.