Shuddering on '01 Winstar with 90K miles

[sbrubinson]

How do I tell if this is a transmission problem or CV joints?

Transmission filter change and complete trans fluid flush did help somewhat. Have had this service done every 30K miles.

Shuddering is intermittent, worst when accelerating. Sometimes accompanied by a popping noise.

Steve
Racine, WI

[tartersauce]

Originally Posted by sbrubinson

How do I tell if this is a transmission problem or CV joints?

Transmission filter change and complete trans fluid flush did help somewhat. Have had this service done every 30K miles.

Shuddering is intermittent, worst when accelerating. Sometimes accompanied by a popping noise.

Steve
Racine, WI

Sounds like CV if you say poping. Ive never seen one shudder, but maybe its chipping itself away, or jamming up..
These trans dont pop, they Bang then dont move. Since yours is a 01, all the mods have been done in the trans.. Like the Rear in the transmission..

[sbrubinson]

CV joints check out. Looks like the transmission is failing.

CRAP!

[tartersauce]

Originally Posted by sbrubinson

CV joints check out. Looks like the transmission is failing.

CRAP!

HAHA Crap.. Im still waiting for mine to fail me, but its still holding gears. I guess its gonna give me some time to get together the 2k for a nice shiny one..

[sbrubinson]

At least it is cheaper than getting a new vehicle. A high-mileage Windstar is not worth much to sell or trade. Plus, the Missus likes her Windstar, and when Mama isn't happy, nobody's happy.

Steve

[tartersauce]

Originally Posted by sbrubinson

At least it is cheaper than getting a new vehicle. A high-mileage Windstar is not worth much to sell or trade. Plus, the Missus likes her Windstar, and when Mama isn't happy, nobody's happy.

Steve

Oh yea, been looking around at used winnies and they all are about 6k some are up ther 10k for 98 and up.. Wow.. Its worth the New trans as another 8 years of driving is worth 2k which comes out to 20 bucks a month for the next 8 years.. Not bad.. Better then 400 450 month for 30k new ouch.. Thats 5k in one year in just payments-- no fuel.

[wiswind]

I have mentioned it before.....
I could go out today and get a nice smelly new vehicle.
I have worked very hard to have my financial house in order.
The MAIN way that I have done this is by not spending money that I do not need to.
I invested a good $1200 in repairs last spring.....all routine maintenance items for a vehicle that, at that time had 183K miles on it.
The owner of the independant shop told me that normally, he would say that I was crazy to spend that much.....but that he had personally driven my vehicle, as well as look it over.
He felt that "We will see 300K miles out of this" because I have maintained it.
Now......what would I spend on another vehicle that I would feel that it was good to go for 100K + miles?

I have a couple of rust spots on the rocker panel that came through this winter.....a very rough winter here in Wisconsin.
This is the first vehicle that I have owned that took 13 years to have a rust spot come through.
Patch, Patch, Patch......and I hope to get "a couple more years".

So.....if the vehicle is otherwise in good shape.....and you plan on keeping the vehicle for some time.
It is worth investing some money into it.

A vehicle depriciates the MOST in the first 3 years.
So a person who buys new every few years is really taking a beating in the wallet.

[garync1]

Mine started out with a shudder and it ended up being the Coil pack.. Now every now and then I get a single bump type shudder every once an a while. Not sure if the JPsoreson from advanced auto coil pack is a little lower than OEM type coil pack or not.. also my wire clip that plugs into the coil pack broke. But only the clip that locks it. so I taped it.. That could be my problem as well still don't know. But if you have not already changed your coil pack,it might be worth looking into.. I also installed a trans cooler a few months back... My trans still pulls hard but most people say on here they really get no warning when there trans fails. So it could be the TRS sensor or low interm servo.. Thats just a wild guess..

[12Ounce]

... also check out that powertrain wiring harness for chafing against things on the firewall. Will have to remove the cowling for a good inspection.

[sbrubinson]

Transmission is OK. Now I have a "driveability problem.

Got a P1401 code, and am replacing the offending DPFE? sensor to see if that helps.

Got a P0303 code (missing on cylinder #3) as well, which I am attributing to the other sensor. I can always replace the spark plugs, wires, etc. as a matter of normal maintenance.

It helps having a code reader. It has been suggested that I may need to have the problem diagnosed by a shop with a full-blown diagnostic tool, since the OBD-II code reader I have is not sophisticated enough to pinpoint the problem.

I'm appreciating the project car we have at home, a '64 Mustang. It's got an inline 6-cylinder 170 CI carbureted Falcon-type engine with a 3-speed manual transmission, and does not have any of the emission controls or fancy electronics of newer cars.

Steve

[tartersauce]

Originally Posted by sbrubinson

Transmission is OK. Now I have a "driveability problem.

Got a P1401 code, and am replacing the offending DPFE? sensor to see if that helps.

Got a P0303 code (missing on cylinder #3) as well, which I am attributing to the other sensor. I can always replace the spark plugs, wires, etc. as a matter of normal maintenance.

It helps having a code reader. It has been suggested that I may need to have the problem diagnosed by a shop with a full-blown diagnostic tool, since the OBD-II code reader I have is not sophisticated enough to pinpoint the problem.

I'm appreciating the project car we have at home, a '64 Mustang. It's got an inline 6-cylinder 170 CI carbureted Falcon-type engine with a 3-speed manual transmission, and does not have any of the emission controls or fancy electronics of newer cars.

Steve

And why arnt your driving your mustang? The 6cly is a daily driver!! Get out on the road and get the looks! No reason to drive a winnie right? Saw one on Mecom sell in the 30ks.

[sbrubinson]

DPFE sensor. Where the heck is it located?

[sbrubinson]

Mustang needs rewiring. Bought a Painless kit, and I am on vacation the last week of April, plan to rewire then. Old main harness was brittle and falling apart.

The missus is driving our '05 Expedition, which is a gas hog!

[sbrubinson]

Results:

Did a tune-up and other routine maintenance on Sunday, replacing the following:

Fuel Filter - way overdue to be changed
Spark Plugs - toasted, with some evidence of electrode erosion
Coil Pack - somewhat beat up, no obvious defects
Spark Plug Wires - dirty and discolored, the left front wire had an extra piece of insulation, which I transferred to the new wire

It was difficult to change the rear spark plugs and wires. Only attempt this with a cold engine, or you are likely to get burned! As it was, I ended up with some minor bruises and scrapes.

Results were good, and the van is running much better. I got my Expedition back!

Never underestimate the value of routine maintenance.

Steve

[trinitus]

I got a 00 windstar with a shudder as well. I was told today that I will need a new tranny. My problem is that it only shudder's every once in a while. It has 47500 miles on it and I really do not want to either pay for a new tranny or get rid of this van since it is paid for.

Can some one please tell me what they think it could be? It doesn't show any check engine light and when it shudder's it feels like I just hit a set of those rumple strips.