Trans jerks

Hi everyone I have a 95windstar we bought it used this week, I have been reviewing the posts and cant find the same problem, What it does is jerk bad going in to 1st from neutral it seems worse after transmission warms up.

I have even tried starting out in 1st and it still jerks there. Once it is moving everything is fine it seems to shift up and down ok?

There is no flashing light on overdrive and it seems to work fine also.

Thanks for any help George

wpony1

Welcome to AF's!

How many miles on your 95? What is the condition of the trannie fluid?

Regards

Dan

the van has about 120000 on it the fluid is a little dark it smells a little bit but I have seen much worse. I am sure it could use a changing though.

Tranny Mounts maybe...!?!

I would look into that first. You could have a helper put the van in gear (forward and reverse) and give it bursts of gas while depressing the brake pedal and then you check if the engine jerks, jumps, rocks or tilts inside the engine bay.

Before you begin make sure the wheels are chucked, the parking brake is set tight and your helper is stepping on the brake pedal real hard to avoid the vehicle from rolling and running away. Oh, and don't even think of standing in front of the vehicle, always diagnose standing beside it. Hope it helps and please be safe.

I checked the mount and it was fine still have to change the tranny fluid that will be next I am waiting to get some help from a friend . also could this be from a trs I hear alot of talk about those.

I checked the mount and it was fine still have to change the tranny fluid that will be next I am waiting to get some help from a friend . also could this be from a trs I hear alot of talk about those.

IF you want to check your TRS you will need to keep your van running while you unplug the sensor because it also acts as the N safety switch.. After you unplug you can drive it around a short block at normal driving. If it shifts fine then you have found your problem if it does not change than it most likely not the issue.. Keep in mind you can not pass a car at this time because the trans may become confused.Just drive it easy to see if it changes gears normal..

I have not tested my TRS the way that garync1 mentions, but have read about people doing it.
It seems to be a very good test, however, I do remember someone who has done this test mentioning that the shifts will be abrupt......along the lines of the jerking you are mentioning.

I would CERTAINLY change the fluid.
As for the smell......it smells nasty brand new out of the bottle.
It should be a red color.....and somewhat translucent.....in other words.....not cloudy.

The fluid needs to be changed AT LEAST every 30K miles.
Your owner's manual will call for Mercon ATF.
FORD has discontinued licensing of the Mercon Specification and NOW says to use Mercon V.
They had issued TSB's in the past saying NOT to use Mercon V in our older Mercon vehicles, but the latest TSB supercedes that.

A good, easy to find ATF that I recommend is Mobil 1 ATF.

If you do the job yourself, check out my pictures for step by step photos from one of my changes on my '96.

Sadly, the '95 is the most problematic year for the transmission, but the fluid change advice is for all years......and so I would certainly do it before trying anything else.

Hi wiswind where is your article on changing the fluid I was trying to find it in the gallery Thanks for all your help everyone

I am sorry that I was not more clear.
At the bottom of my posts, in my signature, is a link to my pictures.
They are on webshots.

Thanks wiswind that is really helpful I think I have everything I need now to try and change the filter and flush the tranny I will let you know how it goes George

I have done 3 pan changes no one here to help with the full change plus changed the filter and it is acting about 90 percent better even when totally warmed up there is no slip from stop in 1st gear or second and very little in drive unless i have to strep on it do you think a total change will make up the last bit of difference or do you think this is about as good as it will get ? thanks George

I would do the full change, to fully flush out the old fluid.
Only 50% MAX will be changed with a pan drop.
The rest is in the torque converter and the rest of the transmission.
There is NO drain plug in the torque converter as in the old days, when one did not even need to think about changing the fluid.

I did the fluid change that is in my pictures by myself, the fluid does not come out super fast.
I would use about 15 quarts to do the change, as you have already done the pan drop.
Another new filter will not be needed.

The total capacity of the system is 12.25 quarts.
I just start and idle the engine until the flow out the cooler return line slows, then stop, add new fluid in the amount that came out, and repeat the process.
I do that over and over until I have run all the new fluid through (will a extra quart handy to top off).

The pan drop method is good for KEEPING fresh fluid fresh on a much more frequent basis than the 30K miles.......like dropping the pan with each oil change, or every other oil change.
However, old, broken down fluid is best replaced by the flush method, as you need to get a complete of replacement as possible.