Transmission shudders when accelerating from a stop

MY transmission in my 95 Ranger shuttered when press the gas from a complete stop. It shifts gears fine once I get going but once I stop it feels like the truck falls into neutral. I have to manually shift the truck from P to D in order to get it to go and then sometimes it gets struck in 3rd. I went to get Lucas to put in the transmission and the worker at auto parts store said that it sounds like the 2 pads inside the transmission (he couldn't think of the exact name) have worn down causing the shutter and they need to be replaced.
My car has an automatic transmission.

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Common Causes of a Transmission Shudder

When your vehicle starts to shake convulsively, it may seem like your transmission is significantly damaged and about to shut down completely. However, the primary cause of a shuddering transmission is simply contaminated transmission fluid.

The transmission fluid in an automatic transmission is essential for lubricating and cooling the components inside. However, over time, the fluid can become contaminated with debris, dirt, and metal particles. Contaminated fluid can interfere with the operation of the torque converter, causing it to shudder.
Remember, you don`t experience either symptom unless you have the wrong amount of fluid or the wrong fluid in the transmission. It`s when you have a damaged torque converter seal that fluid leaks out and causes the overheating and damage. It is the lack of fluid that causes overheating, slipping, or shuddering.
As automatic transmissions age, the lockup torque converter`s ability to transfer torque smoothly can decline, and additive packages in automatic transmission fluids can deplete, resulting in torque converter clutch (TCC) shudder.
One common cause of shaking while idling can be loose engine mounts. Engine mounts are the connections between your engine and your car — they keep your motor safely attached while dampening vibrations produced by your engine. When those connections wear out, you`re more likely to feel the vibrations.
Some simple warning signs that the transmission is having problems: Transmission is slow to respond when shifting. Grinding, shaking, vibrating.
Lubegard 19610 Instant Shudder Fixx Friction Modifier is the number one transmission instant shudder eliminator used by more professional transmission technicians. This is a five time concentrated friction modifier formulated specifically for eliminating transmission shudder problems instantly.
Modified on: Thu, 3 Mar, 2022 at 11:25 AM. Clutch Judder Definition: Clutch judder is caused by the clutch components and the flywheel not meeting concentrically or mating properly. This generally happens after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and then engaging the clutch during take-off.
Low automatic transmission fluid can cause shaking. If the shaking is accompanied by the check engine light, it`s time to visit a mechanic.
The stator within the assembly uses a series of clutches that will cause a rattling noise when worn. Initially, you may notice a whine, or a light rattle while idle. If you feel a tremble when driving around 30 to 45 miles an hour this could be an indication that your torque converter is going bad.
The most common reason an F150 will shake is the wheels are out of alignment or you need to replace the joints. Especially if the shaking only occurs while driving. Other common issues include worn out motor mounts or faulty spark plugs.
SYMPTOMS – Failed in the Open Position

With the transmission unable to slip, the engine will stall when the vehicle comes to a stop. This type of solenoid failure will set a Diagnostic Trouble Code causing the Check Engine Light to illuminate.

Most of the time this car shaking is caused by the transmission, though it can sometimes be caused by a bent exhaust or one that`s different to the original. Vibrating, shaking and grinding can indicate serious problems with your transmission so it`s important to get your vehicle checked sooner rather than later.
The transmission gearbox casing vibrations are the resultant of internal excitation caused by the gear meshing process and transmission error. This internal excitation produces a dynamic mesh force, which is transmitted to the casing through the shafts and bearings.
If you begin to feel persistent shaking in your car, it`s best that you get to the problem right away before continuing to drive. Continuing to drive with the shaking can result in further damaging parts, ruining your tires, and other costly problems that could be avoided by a quick trip to your mechanic.
This is a common symptom of a plug or wire electrical current problem. Air or Vacuum Hose — Another common cause for engine vibration and power loss is when air or vacuum hoses come loose, begin to leak, or rupture. The three necessities for all combustion engines are air, fuel, and spark.
All you have to do is add a bottle of Transmission Treatment & Leak Stopper. It`s specially designed to smooth rough shifting. As you might guess from the “leak stopper” part, Tranny Honey stops transmission leaks, so low fluid levels should no longer be a problem.
There are 6 ways to improve automatic transmission performance and reliability. These are servicing the transmission, changing driving habits, driving with lower gears when loaded, maintaining engine performance, having proper alignment of tires, and having the correct tire size.
To put it briefly, no you should never drive your vehicle if you believe there to be an issue with your transmission in any case. Once a transmission starts slipping it needs to immediately be repaired. Every time you drive it after you feel your transmission slip, it is a risk.
Automatic transmissions that shift hard, jerk or shake during a shift change may mean your transmission fluid needs changed or fluid level is low. In manual transmission vehicles, abnormal gear shifts could indicate damaged gear synchros, worn clutches or other, more severe issues.
A damaged fin or bearing in the torque converter can cause hesitation in the transmission shifting, or the transmission to slip out of gear entirely. This is because the engine torque is not being efficiently converted into the hydraulic pressure needed to shift gears within the transmission.
Yes, changing transmission fluid or performing a transmission flush will help fix most torque converter shudder problems. However, If you let your torque converter shudder for too long you might have to rebuild or replace it.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

my transmission is "slipping" 3% of the time
ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your transmission is beginning to slip. This can be caused by many things. The first thing I would do is check the vehicle’s transmission. Automatic transmission use fluid pressure to operate, and will have all sorts of issues if the fluid is low or dirty. If the fluid checks out, I would then move on to looking at the transmission itself. It may be possible that one of the components, such as a sensor or solenoid may be going out and causing your issue. It may also be possible that the transmission is simply worn out and can no longer hold the engine torque, perhaps due to a worn clutch pack, valve body, or torque converter. In these cases of removal and overhaul of the transmission is required. You may be able to continue driving the vehicle, however, because it may cause the symptoms to worsen over time if the issue is not quickly addressed.

Car hesitated and transmission engaged before acceleration
ANSWER : Some of the CX5s have been having severe transmission problems, which is exactly what it sounds like your’s is experiencing. There have been a couple cases of complete failure, even with under 1000 miles on them. It’s possible that it could be an electrical problem, but it’s very unlikely with how new the car is, and the way the transmission is behaving. I would suggest bringing it back to the dealer for warranty repair ASAP.

Vehicle vibrates while accelerating and stops when you take your leg off the pedal or accelerate more
ANSWER : I suspect you have a problem in a CV joint, or if you have the all wheel drive version; in a drive shaft. The joints that enable the shafts to move around can wear out and when they do, they can produce a vibration at "resonate" speeds. There might be a vibration at 40 MPH that smooths out at 50 and then returns at 60. Or any other odd sounding pattern. You can have that conveniently checked out by contacting Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home or office who can check out your Toyota’s vibration and give you a more exact idea of what is the problem and what it will take to fix it.

Can my antifreeze leak be linked to my transmission problem?
ANSWER : Hi there. You will need to first find the coolant leak and address the leak and get it fixed. The engine may overheat and cause even more problems. The transmission or engine misfires could be from the coolant leak if the coolant is getting onto the wiring of the engine. You may also be going into failure mode if the engine is running hot. Have the cooling system diagnosed and repaired first and any coolant leaks on the harnesses cleaned of coolant that may have got in connections. Then scan and test systems for further problems and diagnosis needed.

My transmission will not downshift at a stop, upshift from a stop, or go in reverse.
ANSWER : Hi there. Most transmissions have shifting issues with the fluid being dirty. First replace the transmission oil filter and do a transmission oil flush. If the fluid is black, do not attempt to change the fluid as it will make the transmission no longer work. Then drive the vehicle and see if the transmission will act up again. If it does, then either the transmission control system (valve body – brain of the transmission) has a mass cross leak or the transmission is slipping and needs rebuilt or replaced. I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you diagnose your transmission.

The transmission temperature light came on, and then the car stopped accelerating when the gas pedal was pushed.
ANSWER : Hello there, a few different components can cause the car to fail like this. The most likely cause would be a torque converter failure, transmission failure, or low transmission fluid level. The diagnosis would determine what kind of fluid was leaking on the ground. It could be coolant, transmission fluid, oil, or water. Any broken off components would be a cause for a concern.

If you need assistance with these checks, get some help from a qualified technician who will be able to diagnose your leak firsthand and perform any repairs required.

Will adding Transmission Fluid with Stop Leak to a transmission with over 230,000 miles hurt it?
ANSWER : Both of these additives are designed to block small leaks or seepage from a gasket or rubber seal an not to fix major leaks or leaks where there will be excessive pressures, such as coolant leaks into the combustion chamber of the cooling system or leaks in high pressure areas of the transmission.

I would not recommend the use of these products unless a manufacturer specified to use them, like how GM did on their earlier models of the modular motors that had coolant leaking through the pores of the engine block from defective castings.

Before adding any of these additives I would recommend having a mechanic check the transmission fluid leak to see what the proper repair should be. These additives can sometimes clog systems and make matters worse in the long run.

Transmission additive to stop pump seal leak I don’t want to spend $750 on repairs will a transmission stop leak fix it
ANSWER : You can certainly use transmission stop leak, however depending on how bad the leak is or the amount of pressure coming from the leak, this may be only a temporary fix. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at the vehicle.