Windstar ~ brake or tranny issue

We have a 96 Windstar with a 139,000 miles on it. We have never towed with this vehicle and recently had the tranny flushed. Then while driving we have noticed a jerking motion, as well the brakes being "applied", even tho we don't apply the brake. You can watch the speed drop when we let up on the gas pedal ~ and not touching the brake pedal. We have checked all the brake components and found no problems or leaks. Also noticed after driving awhile the brakes don't seen to get hot. The Autozone guy thought it might be a transmission problem. Any help would be greatly apprectiated.

Welcome jjcts,

Please elaborate on "jerking". Rapid Pulsing type jerking is your ABS. A big clunky downshifty type jerking is your Transmission. Be really specific. What speed does it happen? What does the tach do when it happens? Any recent ODB2 codes lately? Does cruise control work? Is it on when it happens? etc. etc.

Karl

Welcome jjcts,

Please elaborate on "jerking". Rapid Pulsing type jerking is your ABS. A big clunky downshifty type jerking is your Transmission. Be really specific. What speed does it happen? What does the tach do when it happens? Any recent ODB2 codes lately? Does cruise control work? Is it on when it happens? etc. etc.

Karl
Jerking was more like a sudden, quick jolt and then it was done, Have not felt any ABS pulsing. The RPM's seem normal with no irregular jumps and the cruise control works just fine. At highway or city speeds what happens is, I'll let off the gas and it slows down abnormally quick, just as if the brakes were applied, even going downhill. It doesn't happen eveytime either. I'm leaning toward a brake issue because the other night I pulled the front calipers off and worked the pistons in and out a few times an it seemed to help.

Alright I'll go with you there. When transmissions go bad, they rev rev rev Clunk! when accelerating. Or rev rev rev and don't shift out of a gear at all. I've experienced a sudden deceleration issue when my VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) went bad, however, that occured with a CEL and an ODB2 code. Hanging/overused brakes look really bad when you pull them apart. Lots of red dust and a bad bad smell. How about pulsing? Things shake pretty good when you press on the brake?

Karl

Karl. No Revving or slipping in the transmission. I've got a scanner and I'll
see if it will pull an error code. Could wheel bearings cause this sort of condition?

No shaking or pulsing in the brakes either. I'll have to read up on the VSS.