Shuddering hesitation

[sduncan000]

Perhaps this has been discussed previously, but just to be sure I am going to describe what I am experiencing...
When driving at, say 30mph or higher, and just trying to maintain speed, I will hit a slight incline in the road and so naturally you feather the throttle a bit to keep your speed. Just at the point where the truck would downshift, I will get this fast shudder that almost feels like hitting the rumble strip at the side of the road. It doesnt feel like its a transmission problem to me, more like a fuel supply (but I am certainly open to any thoughts).
So far, I have run the Purple fuel additive through one tank and I have cleaned the throttle-body and the MAF sensor.
I was considering checking out the plugs next. I didn't want to mess with the fuel pump/filter if I could get this resolved without doing that.
If I can get it on video, I will see about posting that as well.
Forgot to add the vehicle in question!
2015 Expedition EL AWD Limited 3.7 liter engine approx. 130k miles.

Any thoughts or similar experiences?
Thank you!

 

[2020ExpyPlatinum]

The way you describe the issue, light on the pedal on a slight incline around 30-40mph is a classic symptom of the torque converter going in and out of lockup.

Push your tow / haul mode button or knob and drive the same spot where the problem originally occurred if it goes away and you can't replicate it with tow / haul mode on than it is your torque converter.

Take tow / haul mode off and make the problem happen again just to verify that this is the issue


Let us know what you find out

 

[sduncan000]

Great - thank you - I will do that.

 

[Dustin Gebhardt]

The shuddering on slight acceleration could also be the IWE's losing enough vacuum to engage (poorly). You have AWD, so this might apply to you. Secondly, the shuddering could be a misfire, but those usually come with a flashing (or steady) check engine light.

 

[2020ExpyPlatinum]

Great - thank you - I will do that.

You are welcome, I hope it is something else that is more easily repairable and not the torque converter giving you issues.

 

[justinp16ex]

This sounds like a bad spark plug,I had same issue.

 

[LokiWolf]

Perhaps this has been discussed previously, but just to be sure I am going to describe what I am experiencing...
When driving at, say 30mph or higher, and just trying to maintain speed, I will hit a slight incline in the road and so naturally you feather the throttle a bit to keep your speed. Just at the point where the truck would downshift, I will get this fast shudder that almost feels like hitting the rumble strip at the side of the road. It doesnt feel like its a transmission problem to me, more like a fuel supply (but I am certainly open to any thoughts).
So far, I have run the Purple fuel additive through one tank and I have cleaned the throttle-body and the MAF sensor.
I was considering checking out the plugs next. I didn't want to mess with the fuel pump/filter if I could get this resolved without doing that.
If I can get it on video, I will see about posting that as well.
Forgot to add the vehicle in question!
2015 Expedition EL AWD Limited 3.7 liter engine approx. 130k miles.

Any thoughts or similar experiences?
Thank you!

3.5, No 2015's came with a 3.7. I digress.

Plugs would be my bet like was was said above, guessing they have never been changed. 100K is the factory interval for them to be changed, but honestly should be changed FAR more often than that.

 

[MiloNelsonJr]

I had the same shudder on my 08 with the 5.4 and it was the torque converter. I added shudder control and it almost completely eliminated it. I'm sure it is a matter of time before the tranny will require a rebuild, however, I performed a complete service being careful to not use high detergent fluids. I also added Lubegard's Fluid Protectant to extend the life of the tranny...fingers crossed.

 

[TDBDLB]

Plug/Coil Pack very likely ….

 

[ADR510]

I have a 2008 Expy 5.4, same issue. Turned out to be bad plugs. Ohm'd the coils and they were reading fine. Luckily none of the plugs broke as i was pulling em out but they were definitely fouled. Replaced em all and shudder went bye bye. Start easy before digging into the trans.

 

[guzzon]

I have a 2017 4wd with the 3.5 ecoboost. Your description matches pretty closely an issue I was seeing about a year and a half ago. I took it to the dealership and initially they thought it was a faulty front diff actuator solenoid - basically it was trying to engage the 4wd intermittently. They replaced the solenoid but that didn't solve the problem.

It wasn't until I had one of their mechanics jump in the car with me that they understood exactly what I was talking about - for me it was similar to what you described - when adding a little on the accelerator, particularly at freeway speeds it felt almost like hitting a rumble strip.

They had a lot of trouble de-bugging it but in the end it came down to a sensor integrated into the molded lead frame (TBH I don't know the details of what sensor). They replaced the lead frame and the problem went away. I also noticed a 2-3 mpg improvement in gas mileage after this repair.

 

[DCowan]

I had same problem a few weeks ago with my '15 Exp...it was bad plugs (which they replaced for free since the plugs were replaced by Ford only 8 months ago) and a couple problem coils. Easy fix.

 

[llhoneymoons]

Correct, torque converter.

 

[sduncan000]

Just to bring up to date - yeah, it is the 3.5, not the 3.7 (my bad!), and I added the 'Instant Shudder Fix'.
I had to siphon out a couple of ounces of fluid as it was fully topped off, but then added the Shudder fix and it worked just as it is named - instant relief.
I think I will likely go back in and replace the filter and do a full fluid change, but I hope that will wait until spring.
Time will tell.
Thank you to all for the advice and ideas

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Not sure shutter fix is a good plan, most trans tech's do not recommend it, just like engine oil additives.

 

[hapEcat]

Our 2017 EL Limited has been exhibiting the shudders like you describe, but when this happens the Tach will increase 100-200rpm, then settle back. It's like a sensor can't make up it's mind as to what gear it wants to be in, or whether the Converter should be locked or unlocked. Watch your Tach.

 

[poorboy08]

I have a 2017 4wd with the 3.5 ecoboost. Your description matches pretty closely an issue I was seeing about a year and a half ago. I took it to the dealership and initially they thought it was a faulty front diff actuator solenoid - basically it was trying to engage the 4wd intermittently. They replaced the solenoid but that didn't solve the problem.

It wasn't until I had one of their mechanics jump in the car with me that they understood exactly what I was talking about - for me it was similar to what you described - when adding a little on the accelerator, particularly at freeway speeds it felt almost like hitting a rumble strip.

They had a lot of trouble de-bugging it but in the end it came down to a sensor integrated into the molded lead frame (TBH I don't know the details of what sensor). They replaced the lead frame and the problem went away. I also noticed a 2-3 mpg improvement in gas mileage after this repair.

Can you elaborate on "lead frame"? Your problem sounds exactly like the one I'm having, would be interested in more information about what sensor you would be referring to?

 

[Steveooo]

I've been having the exact same issue. Usually while going up a slight incline while maintaining speed and right where a downshift would seem in order it shudders. Putting it into tow/haul mode resolves the issue.

I changed all plugs (was at 100k miles anyway) and the condition improved greatly but not completely. It still happens but not as "violently" as before the plug change.

I did check it on a scanner at an automotive store and no codes came up. I've also had no check engine lights so far.

Start changing coil packs next? Or try the Ford friction modifier?

 

[The Swagonmaster]

I have a 2008 Expy 5.4, same issue. Turned out to be bad plugs. Ohm'd the coils and they were reading fine. Luckily none of the plugs broke as i was pulling em out but they were definitely fouled. Replaced em all and shudder went bye bye. Start easy before digging into the trans.

Absolutely correct, you can waste a boat load of money and a lot of time throwing parts at a problem, always better to at least try to diagnose the problem first. BTW, back years ago when I worked at a transmission shop I learned that one way to tell if the shudder was engine or trans is to hook up a vacuum gauge to engine vacuum and watch it when the shudder is happening. If the problem is in the engine the vacuum reading will fluctuate but if it is the trans there won't be any change.