'00 trans shudder first to second gear

Hi gang, happy new year.

My ’00 cargo van has started to shudder during the first to second gear change. This was after a 50 mile highway trip, and occurred from the off-ramp stop light. This is the only reoccuring problem. All other gears and functions are fine. Level, color, smell all good. No idiot lights on. Temperatures outside have gotten warmer. Trans fluid has 17k miles on it. Transmission has 80k miles on it. Van is at 178k miles. Fluid and filter changed ~50k miles. Amsoil ATF w/ motorcraft filter.

I’ve read a lot about possibilities: coil (original), fuel filter (60k miles), or early signs of a failing transmission. Wondering what the group thinks.

Tia,

A bad performing engine, could make a good transmission look bad!
How many miles sense the last tune up?
How's the MPG compared to the EPA fuel Economy rating for a 00 cargo van?

new MC plugs and wires 53k miles/ 5 years ago. MC fuel filter 26k miles/ 2 years ago.

sticker said 18/ 23. my mpg avg 20, 95% driving highway (70 mph). fuel econ has not changed and i keep a log of every fill up.

**one thing i have been hearing is a expansion creak-like noise coming from the evap canister area upon shut down. if i open the fuel tank cap the depressurization creak still continues, so it's not the fuel tank but the canister, yet no SEL lamp. this has gone on for a year.

i'll also add, when i've done those tune up items and such, it was performed just because the book said so. i never had problems that needed fixing, till now. (and of course the 2 previous transmissions)

story on the trans replacements:
original replaced at 86k due to a leak at the bellhousing.
1st replacement replaced at 121k. lost all forward gearing after speed control (cruise) forced a downshift at 75mph.

Hi gang, happy new year.

My ’00 cargo van has started to shudder during the first to second gear change. This was after a 50 mile highway trip, and occurred from the off-ramp stop light. This is the only reoccuring problem. All other gears and functions are fine. Level, color, smell all good. No idiot lights on. Temperatures outside have gotten warmer. Trans fluid has 17k miles on it. Transmission has 80k miles on it. Van is at 178k miles. Fluid and filter changed ~50k miles. Amsoil ATF w/ motorcraft filter.

I’ve read a lot about possibilities: coil (original), fuel filter (60k miles), or early signs of a failing transmission. Wondering what the group thinks.

Tia,


I know that there are many upgrades to the valvebody. I had some really bad shifting problems; late 2-1 downshift, 1-2 would slam into gear, delayed 3-2, delayed engagement into reverse. I changed my valvebody with the upgrades, and the van shifted like it was brand new.

I thought I had transmission problems on a 2001 Windstar with 78K miles. Bad shudder when maintaining speed. It was not too noticeable while accelerating or decelerating. New plugs and wires completely eliminated the problem. Good luck!

I know that there are many upgrades to the valvebody. I had some really bad shifting problems; late 2-1 downshift, 1-2 would slam into gear, delayed 3-2, delayed engagement into reverse. I changed my valvebody with the upgrades, and the van shifted like it was brand new.

can you give me more info, links, company that you got the upgrades thru? this isn't a AX4S-to-N upgrade?

Technical Story On knowing the Transmission type.

http://www.news-eng.autotranstech.ru/?partition=1&subpartition=17&article=133

Sonnax Website 4F50N Upgrade Parts

http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/transmission/parts/filter?filter[make]=2&filter[unit]=247

Online Transmission Parts

http://www.makcotransmissionparts.com/AX4N.html