I had an interesting moment today while going back to work from lunch. I was fired up the 'Stang, backed out of my driveway, and then started driving up my street. Then when the car should have shifted to second gear, it didn't want to do it! The car's throttle kept bouncing such as if you were red-lining it. I thought the computer might have had a slight fluke for a second so I took my foot out of the gas, then went to press the gas again expecting smooth sailing from there. Nope, the throttle just bounced again. I then went back on my way to go around the block to get my beater-car to get to work. I decided to see if it would reproduce it again, so I "punched" the gas to see if it would shift under heavy acceleration. It shifted like a champ and so I decided it would be okay to drive. I then went to work and when I drove home, I did not experience any of this bizarre shifting. I was thinking of taking it in to the dealer the next opportunity I have but I would like some information to guide the mechanic. It would also be nice to see if I should worry about this anymore or don't worry unless it reproduces the problem.

MISC. INFO
Check Engine Light did not come on
Auto V6
Approx RPM were around 3k at throttle bouncing. (did not look at it but that is when it usually shifts)
BEAUTIFUL day in temps around 75
Car was idle for around an hour inside of my garage.
ZERO mods

 

Sounds like a transmission glitch. The computer would not allow the tranny to shift. I'd take the car in, the computer should have recorded the data so they can figure out what happened.

 

I've had something similar happen in two of my vehicles now. I just shut the key off for 5 seconds and start back up and we're good to go.. Oddly they're both GM vehicles. 1985 MPFI Eurosport (car was almost new at the time) and the other is my 2002 Avalanche-2500 truck.

 

if the new auto is like the AOD in my wifes windstar, the gear range is selected by a switch, not a valve, and the switch is basically a series of resistors...her car was doing the same type of thing for a day, by the time we got to dealer it was totally erratic. I'm sure if you explain what it was doing they'll know the most likely culprit right away.

 

So, do you think they will be able to pull up a problem-code in the computer even if the check engine light did not come on?

**driven around 100 miles since incident and have not had any other issues**

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lethaljay @ March 3, 2006, 7:00 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
So, do you think they will be able to pull up a problem-code in the computer even if the check engine light did not come on?

**driven around 100 miles since incident and have not had any other issues**
[/b][/quote]

pretty sure no light=no code...but theres only a couple things that could cause it(as shifting is now all electrically controlled these days...pretty sure theres no governor or vacuum modulator like the old days... most likely range selector switch/connector. was it raining when problem came up? read a few threads about water in sjb from cowl leak causing weird stuff too...I think nearly every wire in the car goes thru the smart junction box in the passenger kick panel- might want to verify passenger side carpet not wet.

intermittent troubles suck, as you know they will just about always return at the most inoppurtune time...
I used to have a sign that read "Murphy was an optimist" [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

just re-read your post- 3k? dry outside? hmm...maybe something in your traction control is screwing up- it can cut the throttle too. I was thinking it was actually redlining till I reread...sounds like it thought it was spinning, might have a loose/bad wheel speed sensor...tires were not smoking at the time were they? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

 

Sounds Like a Computer! When you Have a weird Problem like that you REBOOT, read Turn Off Sit and Restart!

kc

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ford4v429 @ March 4, 2006, 10:25 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>


just re-read your post- 3k? dry outside? hmm...maybe something in your traction control is screwing up- it can cut the throttle too. I was thinking it was actually redlining till I reread...sounds like it thought it was spinning, might have a loose/bad wheel speed sensor...tires were not smoking at the time were they? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
[/b][/quote]


1.) I don't have traction-control.
2.) Never drive in the rain

If you wanted to hear the same "throttle bounce" I heard, just put your car in park (haha if you have an auto) and floor it (haha yes I know, not a good thing to do). It will rev up to a certain point and RPM's will just bounce.

So do you think I have no problem and just to store it in the back of my mind and forget about it until I have another similar problem?