Transmission jerking/misfire?

MADDENM

MEMBER
2013 FORD ESCAPE
VR6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
155,000 MILES

It constantly jumps gears, jerks between gears, or even delays.

Some examples:

- Driving on highway and need to speed up form on ramp. There will be a delay in acceleration, then a jerk and pauses, then it shoots up RPMs.

- Going between gears it jerks heavily. As if you threw it in neutral, got RPMs up, and quickly threw it back in drive. That kind of jerking. Happens more when the engine is cold or it’s colder weather.

- Rarely, but doesn’t happen, sometimes from a stop sign or stoplight it delays so much that it doesn’t move for a good 2-3 seconds, shoots up high in RPM, then goes back down to where it should be.

I can provide more info if needed. No check engine light. Any help is appreciated!

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,913 POSTS

Hi,

The first thing I'm going to suggest is to check the transmission fluid condition and level. It sounds low on fluid or we have a pressure-related issue.

Also, you may want to consider scanning the can-bus system. The can is how all the modules and computers are tied together. Here is a video showing how it's done.

I realize you scanned the computer, but if you are using a basic scan tool, it likely wouldn't read transmission codes.

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

Here are the directions for checking the transmission fluid level:

_______________________________________________

2013 Ford Truck Escape 4WD L4-2.0L Turbo
Transmission Fluid Level Check
Vehicle Maintenance Fluids Fluid - A/T Service and Repair Procedures 6F35 Transmission Fluid Level Check
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Refer to Vehicle / Description and Operation for details on how to use this information. See: Vehicle > Components

Engine Front Undershield

pic 1

Transmission Fluid Level Check

Materials

Name: Motorcraft MERCON LV Automatic Transmission Fluid (U.S.) XT-10-QLVC (U.S.)
Specification: WSS-M2C938-A MERCON LV

Check

1. Refer to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview. See: Vehicle Lifting > Procedures

Refer to: Engine Front Undershield (above).

2. Start the engine and slowly select each gear position, stopping in each position and allowing the transmission to engage.

pic 2

3. With the engine running in PARK on a level hoist make sure the transmission is at normal operating temperature 85-93 C (185-200 F). Check if the transmission fluid is even with the oil leveling plug hole.

pic 3

4. If the transmission fluid is not even with the oil leveling plug hole, add clean transmission fluid in increments of 0.25L (0.5 pt) until the transmission fluid is even with the oil leveling plug hole.
Material: Motorcraft MERCON LV Automatic Transmission Fluid (U.S.) / XT-10-QLVC (U.S.) (WSS-M2C938-A) (MERCON LV )

pic 4

5. Torque: 71 lb.in (8 Nm)

pic 5

6.

Refer to: Engine Front Undershield (above).

______________________________

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care and God bless,

Joe

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