Help! Transmission problems with 2003 F250

[Wayno]

I have a 2004 F250 FX4, V10 gas, automatic transmission. For some time now, it seems to jerk a little when you start off from a stop. It doesn't do this if I start off really slowly. Recently (after having the transmission flushed), it started jerking a little while going down the road at times when it almost needs to downshift. For example, I start up an incline, and it acts like it's not sure whether or not to downshift. Once it downshifts, it is fine. Yesterday, it started shaking a little while stopped at a red light. I put it into neutral, and it stopped. I have posted on fordforums.com, but haven't gotten any good answers yet. Does anyone have any ideas here? By the way, I have checked the fluid to make sure they refilled it properly after flushing it, and it's okay.

[downtown44]

Try Dr. Tranny anti shudder. Its in a red tube and most parts stores carry it.

[Wayno]

Their website says, "Not for use in Ford Type F or CVT applications." What are these? According to the manual, mine is 4R100...automatic 4 speed overdrive.

[deerplanter]

CVT means constant velocity transmission, you don't have one. I can't help on what's wrong with it though but magic potions only help for a little while. Try auotfuroms.com

[texizona]

Are you sure it is not the engine cutting out under a load? The symptoms sound similar. Maybe a cylinder coil?

[1994xj]

how many miles on the truck before the flush? and have you been getting it flushed routinely? Alot of time flushes do more harm than good if you have over 100k and have never had it done. they wash out all the thicker ( used) fluid that you trans has been used to and replaced with a lower thickness fluid. Alot of times this causes wierd shifting and in some cases the vehicle will not ever move after the flush.

[Wayno]

Are you sure it is not the engine cutting out under a load? The symptoms sound similar. Maybe a cylinder coil?

A friend of mine suggested starting by replacing the spark plugs. The thing that got me, though, was how it acted up while sitting at a stop light but would stop when I shift to neutral. This makes me think it must be a transmission issue. Thoughts??

[Wayno]

how many miles on the truck before the flush? and have you been getting it flushed routinely? Alot of time flushes do more harm than good if you have over 100k and have never had it done. they wash out all the thicker ( used) fluid that you trans has been used to and replaced with a lower thickness fluid. Alot of times this causes wierd shifting and in some cases the vehicle will not ever move after the flush.

It has 152,000 miles on it now. I had it flushed at 151,000. The previous times I changed the fluid just by dropping the pan and draining. I would change the filter when I did this.

I had another friend tell me that he is not in favor of the flushes. It has me wondering now.

[Plain Lucky]

A friend of mine suggested starting by replacing the spark plugs. The thing that got me, though, was how it acted up while sitting at a stop light but would stop when I shift to neutral. This makes me think it must be a transmission issue. Thoughts??

I'd take it to a good mechanic and let him run the diagnostics on it. Could be something as simple as an alternator, computer chip, etc. Everything is computerized now and if one small part of the puzzle has problems, it can lead to odd behavior like what you are seeing.

[deerplanter]

Now that I read your post better, I think you have a coil going out, do you have a check engine light on? Somtimes it takes a while for the light to come on. I am with 1994xj transmission flushes do cause more harm than good imo.

[Wayno]

There are no check engine lights coming on. I just went to Autozone to let them run the computer diagnostic test, and no codes showed up. He suggested that I drop the pan and change the filter, since they don't do that with the flush. I may do that tomorrow morning.

[BIGTERRY75]

You sir have a mis fire. There may not be a light on but that is prolly your problem. There could also be a code set and the light not be on until certain tests have run.
Tune up time for you and i bet you have atleast one coil that is bad. Keep in mind you have ten coils.

[1994xj]

MIght be time for a rebuild on the trans. That little jerk you feel could be the torque converter unlocking. And when it doesnt unlock, you get the slow takeoff like you are pulling a big trailer. On older stuff when the converter wouldnt unlock it would stall the engine. I dont know if i have any transmission customers in your area that you could take it to. Ask any knowlegable transmission guy and they will tell you flushes are a no-no. They cause all the issues you are having and can stop up the filter in your trans and overheat it.

[Spoken0313]

Sounds like it's missing under a load. I'd check for a misfire somewhere. They won't always throw a code in ford's until they get really bad

[1994xj]

if it was a miss it would do it on the slow takeoff part of his problem. when the engine is under extreme load