HELP! Transmission Problem, May be Torque Converter?

[Joanne Howe]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm hoping someone with a little more knowledge about transmissions and cars in general can help me. For the past few months I've had an issue with 2007 Ford Edge shuddering at around 1500-2500 RPM. I finally took it to my mechanic and he told me he thinks it is the torque converter. He said since it's not that bad and the end result is going to be a transmission rebuild I should leave it until it gets unbearable.

 

I have done some "google" research and came across a few different things. First, should I try a transmission stop slip product? There a re a few and I went to Canadian Tire I picked up Lucas Stop Slip but before I try it I want to find out if there is a better product that I should use instead.

 

Second, I've had this vehicle for 3 years, I drive a lot and it has high milliege 200,000KM + I've never changed the spark plugs. Should I get that done to see if possible a misfire in the engine could be causing my torque converter to act crazy and they probably should be done anyway? I used to do this myself on my older cars but on the Edge it is a lot more difficult then simply changing the plugs and I'm not gonna start taking a part the manifold, I'd rather just pay someone else to do it.

 

Please help, any other possible suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to prolong the life of my transmission as much as possible.

 

Thanks in advance for any help that may be giving!

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

All good points. First thing to do however, is to pull codes from the OBDII port, any decent auto store should be able to do so for free. Could certainly be misfires from worn out spark plugs, but could be faulty injectors also, besides the transmission possibilities. So, codes first.

 

Check to see if transmission fluid level is correct. Low OR high can cause problems. Is the fluid color good, and free of metal shavings? Any leaks on the ground or on the underneath of the engine/transmission?

 

Can you feel the vibration/shudder in PARK when revving the engine, or only when driving? Could be wheel/tire, loose lug nut(s) or alignment also.

Edited April 11, 2014 by WWWPerfA_ZN0W

[Joanne Howe]

Thanks for replying,

 

My mechanic checked the codes, he didn't tell me exactly what the code was but said it was transmission related. I have no leaks. He checked the fluid and said it looked clean and was the right level. I had my tires replaced the same day with new tires.

 

It only happens when driving and for the most part it still runs fine. It tends to happen when I'm stuck behind someone and trying to maintain a constant speed by only applying lightly on the gas. If I stop giving it gas, it stops. If I apply more pressure to the gas, it stops.

 

His explanation was that the torque converter was slipping in and out of lock and by giving it more gas it would lock and by giving it less gas it would stop trying to lock. He has been my trusted mechanic for many years and has always treated me fairly. He does not work on transmission at all though and refers all transmission issues to a transmission shop.

 

I feel like I will eventually need to have the transmission rebuilt but am trying to find a way to make it a little less irritating while I save the money for the rebuild. I've seen a lot of reviews for the different transmission Stop Slip products and want to try the one that people have had the most success with.

 

I probably will have the spark plugs changed too. Anyone else who drives it probably wouldn't notice a difference but to me it feels just a bit sluggish compared to how it used to drive.

 

Any suggestions on a Stop slip product or other things I could try to help keep it running a bit smoother until I can afford the rebuild?

[Waldo]

That sounds to me like an engine problem, not a transmission problem. I'd do the spark plugs first and not touch the transmission. The torque converter locking is controlled by the PCM and there are a bunch of diagnostic procedures that you can run if you have access to the dealer's electronic tools. It shouldn't be trying to unlock as you give it light gas and if it did, you'd see the RPMs jump up a bit.

[Joanne Howe]

I've read a lot on the Edge Forums about a PCM failure that is a known issue. Could this be early signs of that?

[Joanne Howe]

I also should mention that I have no warning lights coming on the dash at all.

[akirby]

I've read a lot on the Edge Forums about a PCM failure that is a known issue. Could this be early signs of that?

 

Not likely with those symptoms. Get the spark plugs changed asap - otherwise you won't be able to get them out later. 100K miles is usually the recommended limit.

 

I wouldn't use any additives. If it is the torque converter you don't want to mess up the rest of the tranny. If you can find out the codes and post them here we can probably help point you in the right direction. Could be tranny or engine or something else in the driveline.

[akirby]

I also should mention that I have no warning lights coming on the dash at all.

 

Then I question what codes your mechanic found. Get the codes - he may have just said it was the tranny because he didn't want to mess with it.

[Joanne Howe]

Thanks,

 

I'll try to find out the code.

[Waldo]

A slight misfire from old spark plugs wouldn't likely set any codes or the check engine light. The codes may be from something totally unrelated.

 

Another thought is that at 200K kms you could have a lot of gunk build up in the intake, maybe a good cleaning would help.

Edited April 11, 2014 by Waldo

[Lily]

Mine is doing this but also does a vibration any ideas or solutions to yours?

[macbwt]

How many miles? have you changed the plugs every 90k miles. Changed the transmission fluid at least every 60-90k miles? If you are near over over 100K miles and suffer sudden shifts and bumps at stop and go traffic, stop signs, and when in cruise or on hilly road the transmission hunts for the gears? Then you have TSS and OSS symptoms of prefailure ($700.00 repair) These sensors will not throw a code until failure. You can replace them now or wait until you have to walk home, because the Edge will not move when they fail.

Mine is doing this but also does a vibration any ideas or solutions to yours?

[Cbrodsky]

MACBWT is correct.

 

I posted this in another thread but will share here as well just in case.

 

I have an 07 Edge and was having similar issues. While accelerating up the slightest incline giving little pedal depression the vehicle would shake/shudder/vibrate. It would also do it at cruising speeds 50-60MPH.

 

I'm a tech so I have the ability to check and go fairly in depth for diag.

Come to find out, the engine was NOT the problem. The guilty part/parts were the TSS and OSS in the trans.

 

Got the 2 sensors for about 113 bucks from the local dealer and did the repair. FYI, if you do this yourself and look up repair instructions, you don't have to do everything in them as far as removing parts/hoses/etc.!

Took me about 2 hours to replace the sensors, fluid, and then hook up my scanner and clear/reset the KAM.

 

Drove home and not only is the hard shift from 1st to 2nd gone, the shudder/shake/vibrate issue is also gone!!

 

Hopefully this helps someone who is having the same issue before they go throwing unneeded parts on their Edge.

 

Info on my Edge for comparison to others:

2007, SEL, FWD, 190k miles.