2001 Taurus Question

[karilyn1982]

Hey there, my name is Kari, and I am somewhat new here to the boards.

I bought my 2001 Taurus SES (currently 47,600 miles) back in February 2004 from a Ford Dealership near my home. I bought the car knowing that it came from an auction. We did a carfax, and there was nothing stating that they car had any previous accidents...ect..

Well - the day that I picked up my car, and was driving it around town, I noticed that the car was jerking, and sputtering. I immediatly took it back to the dealership and they fixed the problem, turned out to be something small.

Since then, everything seems to be "Okay" with the car except that my car seems to jerk. For instance, I will get to a stop sign, and make a full stop. Then when I apply my foot to the gas, my car will jerk a little.

This isn't a HUGE jerk, and really, I don't think most people notice it, but I do, and it worries me that there could be something possibly wrong with the transmission.

When the car is running in park, the RPM needle is usually at the 1 or sometimes a little under. I'm assuming that is normal, but then again, I don't know too much about cars.

I'm not sure if this car has ever had a tune up or anything, so should this be done on a car that has 47,600 miles? I've also had someone tell me to go to a tranmission shop and have them give my transmission a tune up. Are there any thoughts on this?

I'm just afraid of taking my car in, having a tune up done, and then have them mess something else up. (I've had this happen before.)

Any thoughts or ideas on this? Anything is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

~ Kari ~

[2001BlackSES]

Definately take it in and have it serviced. By that I mean have the transmission pan dropped, fluid drained, and filter changed. I have an 01' with 55,000 miles and my transmission would jerk, and generally shift wierd. Changed out the fluid/filter a couple times and it improved alot. DO NOT have the transmission POWER FLUSHED. On Ford transmissions sometimes it causes major problems and the trannies fail within 500 to 1,000 miles, so I've heard. I won't risk it myself. Unfortunetly without a flush there isn't any way to get all the dirty fluid out just by dropping the pan. That's why I change the fluid twice. Each time I changed the fluid it drained about 5.5 quarts of fluid. The tranny holds 12.5, so thats nearly half. These trannies are very sensative and are known for failing anytime after 50,000 miles. Do not wait to get clean fluid in there!

[fst2000]

I would have to say I disagree with something that was said. Yes all tuarus's up until 2000 had terrible trannys. That said, in 2000 Ford made a tranny change and these things are great, but you should go by the Ford maintenance schedule and have it FLUSHED every 30000 miles. Dont forget to use the very expensive mercV oil. period. Change the engine oil and filter every 3000 miles. Clean the air filter especialy if you live on a dirt road. In other words get it serviced immediately!
Between 800 and 1000 rpms is perfect..
First you should say whether or not your engine is stock or not. Assuming your engine is stock I would change the pcv valve(Ford manual says to change it every 30000 miles),since a dirty one can cause a hesitation off idle after the engine is warm(AKA coming to a stop sign and feeling a slight jerk/hesitation on takeoff).
Also have someone check your rear drum brakes. Are they in good condition or are they rusty? If rusty I have seen the return springs rust and break causing bind until the shoe can break free from the drum. Hence a jerk. Hope this jargon helps....

P.S. I have a souped up 2000ses(half again the hp at the wheels) with 75000 miles on it and stock transmission. I have had the transmission flushed every 30000 miles with zero breakdowns or funny sounds or jerks or ....you get the picture...

[mruss52]

This is my first time on a forum, but my 2001 taurus jerks at take off as well. I have had it flushed and the fluid level check regularly but still have the problem.(90,000 miles)

[Learnalot]

I am an owner of a Ford Taurus Wagon. When I first bought mine used, I had problems with the engine 'jerking' on take off even gently pressing the gas.

If you find no other oddities, you may want to check your motor mounts. Easy to have them replaced, (especially if you can get a friend to do so and avoid labor cost of an auto shop...)

My brother showed me that normally, the engine will move when applying the gas, and if your motor mounts are worn, it really lifts! (or in my case when driving, feels like it was jerking!)

Learnalot

[Millermagic]

People that follow the service schedule definitely make it farther than 100k. If you get the transmission fluid flushed, make sure they don't use some sort of power flushing - that is bad for the transmission.

[Huney1]

Tranny jerks: When you get it flushed you should have the valve body cleaned. HUH? Say WHAT? Clean whose body?
Yup, scroll half way down and take a look see at how intricate it is: http://www.familycar.com/Transmission.htm#Valve%20Body

Evidently flushing frees up particles and all it takes is one piece of grit or whatever to cause a valve to hang and hence the tranny jerks. Capish?
Get the valve body cleaned and see if that doesn't smooth things out.

[seasonalskier2006]

ok, so if this jerks more than just a little, stop driving it immeaditally and get it TOWED to your nearest transmission specialist, i didnt and boy o boy did i pay. I completly destroyed the transmission, and even shattered, yes shattered one of the valves. That slight jerk, does it happen if you start in first gear (as in instead of putting it into d, you put it into 1). If it does you could be having some brake problem, another thing, can you hold the brakes, press the gas to engauge it in gear (only press the gas a little till you feel the car start to pull) then push the gas while letting off the brake, does it still happen? I know it sounds funny and like a hic test, but lemme tell you what that helps me every time to figure out what it is.

~Ken