My 1997 F150 4.6 XL with a automatic transmission is slipping from time to time in between 2nd and 3rd gear. Any advice, ideas, or have you seen this before and what was the fix?

I notice the behavior more when I am under faster acceleration versus normal or slowly working my way up to speed. The behavior when it occurs is a delay of shifting between 2nd and 3rd followed by what sounds like a miss shift or slip and a high engine rev (from it not engaging), once I let off the accelerator it goes into 3rd.

I haven't yet had a hard shift into 3rd since I let off the gas before it engages, but I imagine if I kept on the accelerator it would shift hard. I find I can also avoid it more if by taking it easy between high 2nd gear and before it goes into 3rd. When it shifts normally it's like there is no problem at all.

Fluid level is good.

If you have seen this what did you do to fix it?

 

Sounds like an engine miss to me, not the transmission. Check the wires.
Test them with an ohm meter for continuity. I bet you will find a couple of wires are no good.

These problems are usually ignition. wires, spark plugs or coils

Good luck

 

Just to make sure this thread doesn't go down the wrong path, I am open to all ideas, but 99.9% sure that this is not a engine miss.

When the engine rev's between 2nd and 3rd (slip) is like someone is pushing in the clutch yet keeping their foot on the gas (if it was manual). Once the "clutch" is let back out it goes back into gear.

The issue is only between 2nd & 3rd, no other gears and no other "misses" or slips.

 

When's the last time you had the tranny flushed?

 

I just bought the truck and it didn't come with any paperwork, so possibly never.

Would a transmission flush help it now that it already has a problem? I also read somewhere else that I should leave the current fluid in, as changing it might worsen the problem.

 

That is up to you. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. How many miles are on the truck? I would at least try a flush... re-fill with synthetic.... and add some Lucas Transmission additive

 

190k miles, I read everyone likes the Lucas additive

 

does it seem to get worse when the trans is hot after driving in traffic in the summer?

 

I have had it within the first 2 miles of driving, I think about up to 5 minutes in. But haven't noticed it being a hot/cold issue, I believe it happens even when cold.

 

If it were me... I'd be doin' the flush and fill (with sythetic, and drain the torque converter), but it ain't, but I did as soon as I got her. j.m.o. If the tranny is bad... it's bad. Nothing you can do but wait for it to leave ya stranded in the middle of winter at the worst possible moment. If it has a chance.... Find out now