Scaring and Weird feeling....

[ignorantmonkey]

Hello...Well, I am into the third week of my newest ownership of my loved 2002 Expedition XLT... BUT...last night I experienced a scary moment. I was parked on a mall and then started it and drove to the exit; as I pushed the accelerator pedal to start riding, the truck started to have trouble advancing; as it was a faulty transmission....like little pulls forward trying to get into gear to advance....like if was trying to advance but instead it keep having these intermittent stops and forwards; then I pushed the pedal deeply and slowly advanced until it reached the second gear; that was when it started to run smooth again. This morning I went to open the hood and turned it on until idle to check for the transmission fluid level and found it needed about 1/4 of oil; so I drove it without incidents to the nearest auto mechanic I know for about 3 miles away and the guy checked the levels of oil while the engine was running and idling but then the level was over the marked threaded area...So that problem hasn't happened again today...Could somebody please tell me PLEASE it is not a faulty transmission?...But again, I want your thoughts on that pleaase... Have all a great 2011, and all your love for your precious Expos keep on the Honeymoon stage...

 

[tmajikman]

Over filling a transmission is actually worse than having it under filled a little bit, drain some of that fluid out before you kill your tranny bud. The fluid expands, and if the hydraulic pressure gets too high you may kill the tranny. When the fluid heats up after driving it a little and shifting through the gears will tell you the real amount on the dipstick. You can't check it as soon as you start it to get a true reading. Don't let that go for very long at all.

 

[ignorantmonkey]

Over filling a transmission is actually worse than having it under filled a little bit, drain some of that fluid out before you kill your tranny bud. The fluid expands, and if the hydraulic pressure gets too high you may kill the tranny. When the fluid heats up after driving it a little and shifting through the gears will tell you the real amount on the dipstick. You can't check it as soon as you start it to get a true reading. Don't let that go for very long at all.

Hello and have a great 2011....Thanks for your input amigo... I just did that, and found the fluid was exactly correct, but the damn hesitation to advance suddenly keeps showing up, I just drove 120 miles today and ran like it was new...No issues, nutting wrong as I can tell... Also...it used about same amount of gas to cover same distance as my old but reliable 89 Crown Vic (5.0).... a little more than 1/4 tank of gas... Also...if I click the button that reads OVERDRIVE and if lights the OFF word it mean the overdrive is off?... Because I ride these 120 miles just on D and not clicking that button...Sorry if I sound a bit naive...

 

[tmajikman]

Hello and have a great 2011....Thanks for your input amigo... I just did that, and found the fluid was exactly correct, but the damn hesitation to advance suddenly keeps showing up, I just drove 120 miles today and ran like it was new...No issues, nutting wrong as I can tell... Also...it used about same amount of gas to cover same distance as my old but reliable 89 Crown Vic (5.0).... a little more than 1/4 tank of gas... Also...if I click the button that reads OVERDRIVE and if lights the OFF word it mean the overdrive is off?... Because I ride these 120 miles just on D and not clicking that button...Sorry if I sound a bit naive...

I am a bit confused, but I will only say that I have checked trans fluid right after start up, and then after the vehicle was at operating temperature and the readings were different. Also make sure the fluid has a very good chance of draining all the way when putting new fluid in.

 

[ignorantmonkey]

I am leaving the fluid as it is as it proved its on the right level...What I am concerned and the main reason of my thread is:

Scary moment. I was parked on a mall and then started it and drove to the exit; as I pushed the accelerator pedal to start riding, the truck started to have trouble advancing; as it was a faulty transmission....like little pulls forward trying to get into gear to advance....like if was trying to advance but instead it keep having these intermittent stops and forwards; then I pushed the pedal deeply and slowly advanced until it reached the second gear; that was when it started to run smooth again.

Has anyone experienced that?... Anyone has a suggestion?...Maybe you ElVato?

 

[Capt_Syko_420]

sounds familiar

Hi. I have a 2003 Expe and i had a problem a few months back that sounds very similar. I ended up finding out that it was 2 of my coil packs, they were starting to break down and would intermittently miss. usually under a load such as take off. it took several months before a trouble code came up for it, but when i replaced that coil packs the problem has disappeared. I know at least in my experience that when cylinders 2 and 5 are missing it feels like 1st gear is slipping or there is a 10 ton weight bouncing around on a chain behind the expe

 

[ignorantmonkey]

Hi. I have a 2003 Expe and i had a problem a few months back that sounds very similar. I ended up finding out that it was 2 of my coil packs, they were starting to break down and would intermittently miss. usually under a load such as take off. it took several months before a trouble code came up for it, but when i replaced that coil packs the problem has disappeared. I know at least in my experience that when cylinders 2 and 5 are missing it feels like 1st gear is slipping or there is a 10 ton weight bouncing around on a chain behind the expe

Yeah!... Have just drive it this afternoon (chilly one) and warm it for just 20 seconds....then started to ride and after the first stop sign, I hit the accelerator only to have it done again for 15 seconds before entering into second gear... It feels exactly as you said: You hit the accelerator and seems the first gear has trouble, like struggling to go ahead, and trying to run but doing these little mini jumps until it reaches second gear...trouble is that these drivers behind you seem to ask: WTF?....

 

[Jackmldog]

Not sure if your issue has been resolved but I've been through the same problem. Ended up being coils. Just go ahead and replace all of them(+spark plugs) if you have high miles or enough cash. I think you can get all 8 on eBay for about $100. If it is still having trouble turn your head towards egr system.

 

[ignorantmonkey]

Not sure if your issue has been resolved but I've been through the same problem. Ended up being coils. Just go ahead and replace all of them(+spark plugs) if you have high miles or enough cash. I think you can get all 8 on eBay for about $100. If it is still having trouble turn your head towards egr system.

Well...it has become a daily thing with my truck... Seems it only does over the first 2 or 3 minutes of driving after a morning start. Same as with cranking. Now every morning I turn on the key, and if the mileage shows then I know it won't start no matter what. So my trick is turn on the key in the morning, and if the miles show I know it will start the engine. Then I run the engine for, say 3-5 minutes hoping the damn 'hesitation' won't show...but again it happens. I know the car dealer placed new plugs, so I am cool with that. Truck has 130K... How much you paid for having the coils (are these more than one?) replaced? Thanks amigo!

 

[ELVATO]

The coils should be pretty easy to replace. They're just held by a screw (a 7mm or 10mm, don't remember). Then you just disconnect the electrical connector.

And there are 8 of them.

 

[ignorantmonkey]

Around $100 on eBay?...You gotta be kiddin' unless you mean cheap chinese coils...I found this kit of 8 for mere $299 plus S&H:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360341561432&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en