2000 Windstar Stutter/Shudder Quirk

[stephan]

I am hoping that some resident experts may be able to assist me with this annoying quirk. My Windstar has recently started having little "fits" of stuttering. They only last a second or two and do no seem to depend on load or speed. It almost feels as if I am running over those vibration grooves that they place on the sides of the freeaways. The vehicle has about 45K on it and I had the transmission fluid replaced about 12000 miles ago by a Ford dealer. They primarily occur in the highest gears such as drive or O/D and are most noticeable at highway speeds. On a twenty five mile highway trip it will do it about 3 to 5 times. It has been doing this for the past 3-4 months and I was pretty certain that it wasn't a tire issue but now I am certain since I just replaced all four tires. Thanks for all of your help!

[rodeo02]

Seeing as a Ford dealer did your last tranny service, I'd hope they used Mercon 5 ATF . Other owners have gotten the symptoms you have about 10K miles or so after an ATF change with the wrong ATF (usually dextron/mercon universal stuff ) Make sure you have Mercon V in there. If unsure, change it out with Mercon V.
G/luck
Joel

[lewisnc100]

Also check the fluid level, even though you would expect a Ford dealer to get this right, it is very easy to get the fluid a little low or high which can cause shifting problems.

[stephan]

Alright, I'll check the fluid when the wife returns with the vehicle. You would THINK that the Ford Dealer would have used the PROPER fluid and service it to the correct setting but we'll see. Is there any way I can tell what type of fluid they used by the color or any other particular characteristic? Since the vehicle is under warranty should I just take it in to them and let them change it again if it's not or should I do it myself?

Speaking about warranty service how does Ford do this. I know I have a $50.00 deductable. Is that per item or per trip to the dealer? I have several little things I'd like looked at such as a noisy steering system, seatbelts that don't like to retract, an intermittent overhead light, a hood that doesn't like to open on the first several pulls, etc.....

Thanks Again!

[rodeo02]

There's no way of knowing what type of ATF you have by looks. You either have to go on your dealerships word, or just change it out again (best). Most aftermarket warranties charge your deductable once per trip. It all depends on your specific contract.
G/luck
Joel

[stachmce]

Originally Posted by rodeo02

There's no way of knowing what type of ATF you have by looks. You either have to go on your dealerships word, or just change it out again (best). Most aftermarket warranties charge your deductable once per trip. It all depends on your specific contract.
G/luck
Joel

Did this fix the problem? I have a 2001 windstar that has the same problem at 89000. the mechanic said it might be the torgue converter. Your solution sounds a lot less expensive.

Steve

[ModMech]

Yup, it WILL fix odd trans shifting. When we bought our '98 in early '00, I did not know about Mercon V fluid, so I changed it with Mercon (like the owner's guide said). Well, after some time it started shifting "funny", and vibrating on upshifts. Hmm, I thought, these late model transaxles are pretty good, what's up? Well, after MUCH looking, I found a Ford TSB stating that Mercon V was the ONLY fluid to be used on most Ford A/Ts starting in 1998 (oops, I messed up). I immediately changed the fluid (pumped out old, added 4 qts new, pumped out, 4 qts new, pump out, reconnected the cooler hose, and topped off), it shifts like a DREAM now.

From what I recall, the ONLY Ford A/T that CANNOT use Mercon V is the E4OD/4R100, everyting else electronic MUST.

[fordguy1960]

I have a 2000 with a 3.8 that done that and i ended
up having a broken valve spring.Just something to think about

[stephan]

Well, As we speak the Windstar is in the hands of a Ford dealer (Still under warranty) to take a look at the transmission. I'll be sure to let you know the outcome. (Crossing Fingers)

[rhe]

I had exactly this symptom intermittently for over a year. There was never any engine codes or check engine light. At specific engine RPM speeds and loads, such as 45 MPH in overdrive (about 1500 RPM) the engine would miss. I also had an intermittent stumble at idle. I started by replaceing plugs, then wires about 65,000 miles on the engine). The car was under extended (Ford) warranty... they spent many hours trying to catch the problem, and then diagnose it. Many TSB (technical service bulletin) repairs were applied. I even drove it around with a recorder on the data port; this was a flight recorder that would save data from the car's computer when I pressed a button (during the miss event). The technician that worked with me is one of the best. He never saw any fault recorded by this device. He did, at times, catch the miss on his analyzer. He first found that one of the plug wires was installed poorly (out of the wire loom) and he showed me that heat from the manifold has caused the insulation to fail (yes, it did look burned at one point of the insulation). The problem continued... He then isolated a bad ignition coil and replaced that. It did run for a while with less occasions of missing, but the problem did return. A few weeks ago the symptom became very obvious. He diagnosed a back plug, by swapping with another cylinder and observed that the miss followed that plug. The plug (I put in) was a bosch platinum, and looks as clean as the day I installed it. With that plug replaced the problem has been completely gone for three weeks, and I'm keeping my finger crossed... HOPE THIS HELPS. This vehicle has had twelve different failures in the five years that I've owned it. The dealership service has worked hard to fix it and to please me, but you can understand I'm not up on Ford right now. Lucky for me I had the extended warranty that included a loaner car ( I've driven loaners for over thirty days total while this was in the shop).
I've also had a shudder when the tranny went into second gear with a bit of accelleration (or making left turns). This was a much different symptom, and they finally fixed it.

[stephan]

Thanks for the reply. Most of your reply seems to be about an engine miss. The dealer was unable to duplicate my tranny problem. They tried several times to but were just unable to get it to act up....or so they say... I am now waiting for the van to hit 60K and do the tranny flush to see if that helps it any. I don't drive it nearly as often now because the wife uses it most of the time. Occasionally when I do drive it it still happens from time to time.

I lost my faith in the dealer though.......I had them look at several minor issues and they were unable to fix any of them.

The dome light being intermittent (needs a new light assembly)

The transmission shudder

A occasional single chime out of the blue for no apparent reason. I think I have seen the seat belt light flash on occasion when this happens

I had them put in a factory alarm system (they subcontracted the install) and it has never worked right even after I returned it to them. I gave up on it as well.

They did fix the seat belt that wouldn't retract properly by replacing it.

I'll have ALL of these issues RE-ADDRESSED when it goes in at 60K

[stephan]

So what did they do to get rid of the shudder?!!?

[rhe]

I pulled the service records on my 2000 Windstar. In June '02 I complained of this shudder (35.8K miles) I remember that it was much more obvious on left turn acceleration, one of those wide turns where the tranny actually shifts into second. It would also occur on a strong acceleration, like when your pretending to blow the doors off your neighbor. The service performed says valve body pump bearing worn, metal in pan (R/R trans O/H flush cooler lines, test). They threw some parts at it. It was better, but still worried me. I'll never forget Ford's tranny expert saying "They all do that". My response was "Then they all need to be fixed."
In Nov. '03 (62K Mi) I complained again (along with two other obvious failures). The record says: direct clutch pack and piston, Low/Intermediate band (R/R trans assy and O/H flush torque converter and cooler lines O/H valve body, test). I called them after this extensive repair and said I'd be back, it had exactly the same symptom.
In Jan. '04 they tried again (along with two other unrelated, chronic problems). the service record says Plate Asy-trans C, Plate - trans FWD C, gasket set, filter & seal asy, MERCON R V AUTOMA, flu trans auto.
It has resolved the problem.
I wonder if it was a fluid type change? I did check the fluid when I pulled into work this morning; the level shows about 1/8 inch above the dip stick full mark... very interesting...
I wonder if they slightly overfilled the fluid level?
HOPE THIS HELPS!

[12Ounce]

stephan
Another possibility... damaged drivetrain harness ...against the firewall on the ac tubing. This condition was an "iffy" one on all '99's and '00's. I believe the harness was rerouted/reanchored during calendar year '00.

[JDMarv]

Try a product called LubeGuard. Torque Converter is probable culprit, but the LubeGuard alone may make the shudder go away.