Bucking/Surging Epidemic

[SigOris]

That's right and thank you for reminding everyone. ? They were coming at me with pitchforks for saying it all the time.

I’m from the GOVT, no lie DoN, and here to help ?

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[BladeRanger]

Glad you got yours and I'm fine with waiting and I'd much rather someone who needs in now get theirs before I do. I saw one of Bennys post where he said he didn't have any in stock and on the Varsity site it was in stock. I would've just ordered from Benny had I known this.

The bucking is not bad yet, but it can get worse anytime so I decided to get the EGR now

 

[Emilio]

I created this account for the sole purpose of thanking the group for this information. I greatly appreciate it. Easily saved me over $$$$. My 2020 Ranger began "bucking" at just over 60,000 miles. At that point I was outside of the powertrain warranty and my extended warranty (which I will never purchase again). It started off subtle, only when accelerating slowly from a complete stop and also between 25-35 mph. Then I began to notice it when decelerating quickly and coming to a complete stop. Over the next 2,500 miles it got progressively worse. With my limited knowledge, I immediately assumed it was transmission issue, and I hoped that it was computer related. I called the dealership and asked them how much it would cost to reprogram/reset the TCU (?). Their answer $160, but I was dissuaded from doing so as they said "it was hardly ever the issue", and I should pay the $160 diagnostic fee before I did anything because it was more than likely the injectors and several other more expensive things, and probably needing a $945 tune up and fluid flush hahahaha.

A quick google search landed me in this forum. My symptoms were exactly as you all described. I called the dealer back and spoke with the tech again. I mentioned the EGR valve/sensor. I was told that they have NEVER experienced that problem. At that point I gave up on the dealer for the rest of eternity. Thanks to Larry's pictures and description I knew I could swap this out myself. So national backorder.... found 1 part after a ton of phone calls that could be delivered to me. Cost was $80 shipped. Took me 30 mins and the problem is completely solved. Guess this will be required every 50-60k, what a joke. Thanks again.

 

[GhostStrykre]

That's right and thank you for reminding everyone. ? They were coming at me with pitchforks for saying it all the time.

Well mine is a MY19 and I feel like I'm missing stuff!

I just started getting this bucking effect in the 40k-ish mile range and over 5,000 miles it is a routine occurrence.

I just ordered the part off the Varsity link you shared Az, and it was only $22 + shipping. Threw me off because I was expecting $50. Part number matched though, but we'll see how long it takes them to get it to me.

I'm also going to swap my spark plugs out too because the truck idles a lot (not garage kept, winter is cold so I always remote started to warm up), and the preponderance of its driving is a 3 minute trip to the grocery and back.... sometimes to the local pub that is also 3 minutes away... So I figure the spark plugs are probably pretty dirty by now and aren't helping the situation.

 

[kcb94]

Writing to thank all who posted here, had the bucking/surging issue in my 21 Tremor and after 30 mins this weekend replacing the sensor my Ranger drives like it should have! Keep using the forums and sharing! THIS IS AN INSANELY VALUABLE RESOURCE! You guys saved me literally days of trouble!! Thank you!

 

[GhostStrykre]

Ok, swinging in for another detailed data point. I was experiencing the issues detailed in this thread: low rpm bucking/surging. It was growing worse as I let it linger on and I was beginning to experience it at speeds up to 45mph.

I'd always press the +/- button on the shifter so I could watch what gears the bucking/surging took place. Any gear above 4th could do it, but 7th and 8th gear were the worst offenders. The truck was trying to be in 7th gear at 28mph and the RPMs were at about 1,100. Yuck.

Yesterday, I called around and actually found a Ford dealer about an hour away had the LB5Z-9J433-B Part. I went out and picked it up. On the way home the truck was bucking in my local town's main street like I was on a surging roller coaster. I was praying this part worked. Got home, spent about 30 minutes installing the part. 10 minutes of that was hunting for batteries for my flashlight because it was apparently dead...

Couple install notes: when the old part came off there was a small amount of fluid (water?) in the lines. I vaguely remembered someone suggesting moisture on the sensors is a problem. So I dabbed the connection points with a shop towel. Got the new part on, and huge shout out for those twist off ring clips. Super clever!

I hopped in the truck and set off for the gas station. If this worked I was treating myself to a coca-cola. Sure enough, everything was fixed! I couldn't believe how smooth the truck was behaving. Maybe I am crazy, but the engine just sounded smoother/quieter too. I rode around town just waiting for the surging to start slapping me around in the seats. Nope. Totally and completely fixed. There are some of those harder shifts that the Ranger's 10 speed occasionally has, but never any bucking while in a gear now. Interestingly, the truck was holding into 6th gear at that 28mph I mentioned above. It's as if the sensor is allowing the truck to make better decisions about how to manage the transmission. I'm just guessing about that tho.

Anyway, HUGE THANKS to everyone in this thread. All the people recommending this part, buying advice, and install advice. Massive massive thank you!

Apologies for the longer write up, but I wanted to include detail in case someone else stumbled across this thread and the extra detail might help them feel more confident about trying this solution. Thanks again, everyone!

 

[_N8_]

So who's going to be the first to try drying one out and reusing to see if it still does it?

 

[VAMike]

has anyone managed to get ford to acknowledge this yet?

 

[IdahoRanger]

Ok, swinging in for another detailed data point. I was experiencing the issues detailed in this thread: low rpm bucking/surging. It was growing worse as I let it linger on and I was beginning to experience it at speeds up to 45mph.

I'd always press the +/- button on the shifter so I could watch what gears the bucking/surging took place. Any gear above 4th could do it, but 7th and 8th gear were the worst offenders. The truck was trying to be in 7th gear at 28mph and the RPMs were at about 1,100. Yuck.

Yesterday, I called around and actually found a Ford dealer about an hour away had the LB5Z-9J433-B Part. I went out and picked it up. On the way home the truck was bucking in my local town's main street like I was on a surging roller coaster. I was praying this part worked. Got home, spent about 30 minutes installing the part. 10 minutes of that was hunting for batteries for my flashlight because it was apparently dead...

Couple install notes: when the old part came off there was a small amount of fluid (water?) in the lines. I vaguely remembered someone suggesting moisture on the sensors is a problem. So I dabbed the connection points with a shop towel. Got the new part on, and huge shout out for those twist off ring clips. Super clever!

I hopped in the truck and set off for the gas station. If this worked I was treating myself to a coca-cola. Sure enough, everything was fixed! I couldn't believe how smooth the truck was behaving. Maybe I am crazy, but the engine just sounded smoother/quieter too. I rode around town just waiting for the surging to start slapping me around in the seats. Nope. Totally and completely fixed. There are some of those harder shifts that the Ranger's 10 speed occasionally has, but never any bucking while in a gear now. Interestingly, the truck was holding into 6th gear at that 28mph I mentioned above. It's as if the sensor is allowing the truck to make better decisions about how to manage the transmission. I'm just guessing about that tho.

Anyway, HUGE THANKS to everyone in this thread. All the people recommending this part, buying advice, and install advice. Massive massive thank you!

Apologies for the longer write up, but I wanted to include detail in case someone else stumbled across this thread and the extra detail might help them feel more confident about trying this solution. Thanks again, everyone!

Great write up.

Just one question, to save me 10 minutes. What batteries should I buy before this job?

 

[Bob902]

FYI. I just ordered one to have on hand. Tasca has them on sale for $21

 

[GhostStrykre]

has anyone managed to get ford to acknowledge this yet?

i talked to 3 different dealers and none of them seemed familiar with the use of this part for the bucking/surging. i'd guess that means no, but you never know... some of the dealers acted like they were unaware that bucking/surging happens with the ranger at all. it's really hit or miss, and completely depends on who it is that picks up the phone when you call.

Great write up.

Just one question, to save me 10 minutes. What batteries should I buy before this job?

i dunno... try the forum search feature maybe? i'm considering calling the manufacturer to see if i got it right (joking!)

FYI. I just ordered one to have on hand. Tasca has them on sale for $21

i've had one on back order about a month.. i just got impatient when the problem was worsening and started calling around. i'm going to wait for the back order to come through and keep it on hand in case i need another!

 

[kieefer]

has anyone managed to get ford to acknowledge this yet?

I think the standard reply from a dealer is to leave it with them and then after several weeks they’ll say they couldn’t duplicate the problem.

 

[VAMike]

I think the standard reply from a dealer is to leave it with them and then after several weeks they’ll say they couldn’t duplicate the problem.

I can believe that because the dealer won't do anything that big blue won't pay for; so until ford issues a service bulletin of some sort, I guess people who don't read the forum and can't/won't replace a part on their own are just screwed. I'm just surprised ford hasn't gotten the message yet on something that certainly is a customer satisfaction issue if nothing else.

 

[NC_LFX4]

I can believe that because the dealer won't do anything that big blue won't pay for; so until ford issues a service bulletin of some sort, I guess people who don't read the forum and can't/won't replace a part on their own are just screwed. I'm just surprised ford hasn't gotten the message yet on something that certainly is a customer satisfaction issue if nothing else.

My local dealership attempted to pass it off as “normal” and that “all Rangers do that, it’s just the torque converter isn’t getting enough power/RPM’s” even after I said it had started over the last 5-10K mi.

 

[BS67]

Been following this thread. When I got into town this morning heading to work......I usually shift down to 6th gear max going thru town........I left the transmission as is to see if I could get the lugging/surging to occur.......was running 25mph across town and my transmission didn't shift above 6th gear and run just shy of 1500rpm. Tried it again leaving work tonight and again, run just shy of 1500rpms and 6th gear. Will try again tomorrow.

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