Thread: Jerking/surging at cruise.... Torque converter?

This just started happening today, when cruising at highway speed it will continually jerk under light throttle as if the torque converter keeps locking/unlocking, transmission shows no signs of issues when accelerating or if I hold the throttle alittle heavier over 2000RPM. It hasn't thrown any codes yet and the transmission fluid is still clean. Not sure if it's related but it started happening after I had used cruise control for about 5 miles, first time I have used cruise control on the car for over a year.


edit: Oh, forgot to mention it's with my daily driver GTP which is mostly stock except the normal boltons.

How many miles on the Trans? My Dads had a GT same problems his was the TCC Solenoid I'm pretty sure. Highway speed cursing add some gas then it surges. Or even around 50mph when 4th kicks in it does it.

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What you describe is identical to my issue. I was also thinking it could be TCC/EPC solenoids, so I've been thinking about buying a solenoid kit and tackling the job myself.

I may also buy a shift kit to put in at the same time.

Mine has been doing that as well for awhile now. I have a 2500 stall converter as well. Now it has a new issue as well. Harsh shift to reverse. Let us know what you find out.

OP here...

For those still replying, if you seen my other thread mine only lasted about a week after this, it failed catastrophically without any further warnings. I ended up picking up another used trans. My advice would be to STOP driving your car if you are having these symptoms.

Thank you quicksilver, im going to try that.Mine has done this since I got it, and it is mildly annoying.

My trans just failed too.

I had my mechanic look at it last week and he told me he thought it was the TCC solenoid and recommended a good shop to have replace it... but then on the drive home (literally 2 miles) the trans pump started to whine. I pulled over to go back, but it wouldn't engage reverse. Then I barely got it it moving forward again in drive.

Now it's sitting in my driveway while I try to figure out what to do. The shop my mechanic recommended quoted me $1800-$2000 for a rebuild.

My old trans did that... I tried tuning it out and was not able to correct it that way.

Originally Posted by hollas13

drives me nuts. fluid filter change still the same surging under light throttle in forth.

is your car pre 04? if so it sounds like your 4 th gear hub is wearing out. one day OD wont be there.

My 2004 is doing the same thing. Scheduled for torque converter, solenoid replacement and trans rebuild next week. Doing the rebuild basically because the trans has 160,000 miles on it and it will already be out of the car. Just for those that need a reference on cost...this will be in the $1600-$1800 range.

Originally Posted by Phil318

Who's doing the rebuild? You're not too far from me. I would appreciate it if you could let me know how it turns out. Any performance upgrades?
Thanks, Phil

Fleener & Roberts is doing the rebuild for me. No performance upgrades...it's a daily driver so the most MPG is best for me.

My car did the same thing.. I replaced the trans and the issue was worse.

Ended up being a back coil pack. The upside is my original trans had 186K on it and the new one was fully built and fully rebuilt. I was pissed that I swapped out a perfectly good 186K mile trans though.