Another Transmission Issue? This One Startled the S___ Out Of Me!

[Glocker]

I was driving home from work the other day when I encountered this condition:
1. Traffic started accelerating, so I started accelerating.
2. Driver in front of me tagged his brakes briefly, so I lifted off throttle.
3. Driver in front of me accelerated, so I stopped lifting from throttle and started to apply throttle.
4. A hard jolt, seemingly from the transmission, happened, and my rear tires squealed on the asphalt.
5. I lifted off the throttle immediately and then everything seemed to return to normal.

Ughhhhh. What gives!? Things had been going really well with this truck, and I definitely don't want to develop transmission problems. (Not that anybody does. LOL)

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[Dr_Strangelove]

Unfortunately all I can say is you'll have to try and recreate it on your favorite local "testing street."

Some anecdotal evidence for you; Every working day I drive home in what would be considered heavy, but flowing city traffic. I get into the situation you're describing constantly, and I've noticed that if I get any noticeable "shifting stumble" it is in the exact situation you've described. Getting off throttle and back on throttle without brakes at a coasting speed.

I describe mine as a shifting stumble because it's really the only time I ever really take notice of my transmission. At 11,000 miles it's still shifting so smoothly I barely notice. It doesn't jerk my body or cause the truck to shudder in any way but I definitely notice it was hunting for a gear momentarily, mostly due to the uneven acceleration. This isn't "every time" but occasionally I will even anticipate it. Especially when there is a greater speed fluctuation.

I too hope this isn't a trend I notice deteriorate as my truck ages.

 

[IdahoRanger]

It does seem that if you get on and off acceleration the transmission struggles to find the correct gear. I have had the same thing happen on occasion.

 

[pwrplay]

I find this transmission works better in the city and traffic when I lock out the 9/10 OD gears.

 

[Fordup]

Could it have anything to do with the automatic braking system sensing the car slowing down then waiting for the correct gap before taking off again.

 

[Frenchy]

So I have had similar behavior with my Ranger when I still had it. I wouldn't be too concerned.


BTW is it a challenging "Fill in the blank"? Asking for a friend

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

@Frenchy It startled the sand out of him, naturally.

 

[egilbe]

Mine does it too, when it drops from 10th to 9th. Its a pretty hard clunk when it happens. Fortunately, its very rare, about once every three months or so when the the situation is perfect for it to happen.

 

[Msfitoy]

My condolences...probably startled the sh@t out of your Ranger as well...when mine was failing, it would do that and felt like it was thrown into park...gotta be a huge shock to the drive line and engine...I'd have it checked out ASAP, John...

 

[Max Crafter]

you found the sweet spot of boost for the turbo.
thats like the holy grail
I would try and find the exact moment again and share the info so all of us other hoodlums can go show off for the ladies.

 

[underwhelmed]

Very similar to two incidents I had in stop and go traffic on my recent 5500 mile road trip described in my trip journal. I thought I was going to be sitting in the middle of 6 lanes of heavy traffic.

 

[9zero1790]

it sounds like last rites may be in order for the transmission. i would take it to a dealer and complain about it so at least its documented while under warranty it had issues. that may help further down the road when it goes poof. im expecting mine to any mile.

 

[Markubis]

My guess is that you caught the torque converter either spooling up or down. That in addition to a poss8ble gear change caused it.
You might try driving in manual mode if you have that option on your Ranger.

 

[Cactus Jack]

I was driving home from work the other day when I encountered this condition:
1. Traffic started accelerating, so I started accelerating.
2. Driver in front of me tagged his brakes briefly, so I lifted off throttle.
3. Driver in front of me accelerated, so I stopped lifting from throttle and started to apply throttle.
4. A hard jolt, seemingly from the transmission, happened, and my rear tires squealed on the asphalt.
5. I lifted off the throttle immediately and then everything seemed to return to normal.

Ughhhhh. What gives!? Things had been going really well with this truck, and I definitely don't want to develop transmission problems. (Not that anybody does. LOL)

I experienced this exact scenario as you’ve described. I had less than 1,000
miles on the truck when it occurred. It was very startling.
I assumed that I ”confused“ my transmission. I only had it happen the one time and I’ve since adjusted my driving style. I guess it’s just another weird trait I’ll add to my ever growing list with this truck?

 

[Glocker]

it sounds like last rites may be in order for the transmission. i would take it to a dealer and complain about it so at least its documented while under warranty it had issues. that may help further down the road when it goes poof. im expecting mine to any mile.

My warranty is expired. But I do have an extended warranty!

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