What Causes the Jerking in Explorer's 10AT Transmission?
2 Answers
Transmission jerking can be caused by factors such as excessive carbon buildup. Below are the specific reasons for the jerking in the Explorer's 10AT transmission: Excessive Carbon Buildup: Carbon deposits on the throttle body, fuel injectors, and intake manifold. Many malfunctions are caused by carbon buildup, and some vehicles may experience jerking due to this issue. It is recommended to regularly clean carbon deposits. Fuel Issues: Poor fuel quality leading to incomplete combustion. Component Failures: Malfunctions in spark plugs, ignition coils, etc., resulting in cylinder misfires. Such issues require inspection and repair at a service center to prevent further safety hazards.
My Explorer also had very noticeable 10AT jerking before, especially the sudden surges at low speeds which were really uncomfortable. I specifically researched it and found it might be related to a few things. If the transmission fluid isn't changed for a long time and deteriorates, it can affect the stability of the hydraulic system, leading to rough shifting. Also, the shift solenoid valve—if there's debris stuck inside or it's aged, inaccurate oil pressure control can easily cause jerking. A friend in the car owners' group mentioned his transmission control module program wasn't updated, and it became much smoother after the upgrade. Additionally, excessive wear on the clutch plates can make engagement less smooth, but this requires disassembly to check. I recommend having the technician connect a diagnostic scanner during maintenance to check for any fault codes and inspect the fluid condition while at it.
