2006 Ford Expedition. My Ford has 113K miles on it. The truck, when getting up to higher speeds runs and shifts perfect. We changed the ignition coils and spark plugs, transmission fluid, oil changed, and got the catalytic converter checked and it test fine. The U-joints are good to. The problems are that the idle is fine, but when coming off from a stop accelerating to around 30 mph the RPM’s go up and down. Then the truck starts to vibrate. It is almost as if you are riding on the side of the highway on those ridges that are on the road to keep truck drivers awake. But after you let off the gas it goes away and i can then drive it normal untill i get the speeds down slower again, but does it when accelerating.
When you mash on the gas everything is fine. The transmission shifts perfect. Just when going at a slow speed. It makes a loud humming sound and vibration. Could have sworn this was a U-joint connected to driveshaft. But we went to the repair shop, the mechanics said they are all fine. I feel like if i get on the gas pedal and go fast enough from the get-go it doesn’t happen at all, and i can drive it and manipulate it to not vibrate at all. Sometimes that works.
I really need to figure out the problem. Do you think it could be the torque converter or something wrong with the trans.? Thank you.
Answer: Shaking and vibrating when accelerating as you describe is usually caused by an ignition problem. If the coils and plugs did not help, have the plyg wires inspected. Spraying water on them and then doing a brake torque may get them to break down and start to misfire. This brake torque- accelerating with foot firmly on brake in drive gear- is also a good way to rule out a drive train component such as a transmission, u-joint or rear end problem. If it does not act up like this, then you may have a rear end issue.
My first question would be is the check engine light on? IF so go to auto zone and have them read the codes for free. I am not sure how brake torquing it is going to help you but if you indeed have a u joint going bad it might put it over the top to broken and I suppose that would help id the problem.
could you perhaps take a video with your digital camera of when this is happening and send it to me? it would help a lot in getting you a proper diagnosis.
If this shaking and vibrating happens when slowing down then it would not be an ignition problem like a bad spark plug or plug wire. It really does sound like a bad U joint. Especially if you can sort of play with the gas pedal to get it to stop even when accelerating. Putting any sort of a load on the driveshaft by using the gas pedal will cause a U joint to stop vibrating. Try slowing down until the vibration starts and then quickly pop into neutral. If it stops that would really sound like a bad U joint. It could possibly be in the transmission but that would be much harder to diagnose. Let us know what you found with the problem on your Ford truck.
I just bought a 2006 f150 extended cab w/ 5.4 V-8 and it vibrates when accelerating from a stopped position but not all the time—happens more when the wheel is turned. It definitely feels like the vibration is coming from the left front side. I just got it back from the shop and the mechanic told me the vibration was stemming from the rear and that he exchanged the fluid but that he expects the problem to continue. Any ideas?
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14 Comments on "Ford Expedition Vibration When Accelerating"
Candy original poster or Steve please advise on how you got this fixed? I have the same issue and it seems that everybody is talking about acceleration and that is not at all the case. Our vehicles work perfectly when they accelerate or when you remove your gas off the pedal. The problem only happens when you try to maintain speed. It never happens when you try to accelerate turn or stop. The description was perfect. You feel a vibration almost exactly like hitting the median on the side of the road. On the other hand for those of you who have a question about acceleration it is most likely your ignition coil. Best way to fix it is find a long empty road and for the crap out of it until you get the check engine light. Go to an auto parts store and they will tell you what ignition coil it is. This however is very different from the original question.
Here’s how i solved my similar problem. I hope it helps someone…
I bought a 2004 Expedition last week and was having a similar issue. Gas pedal vibration around 1500 rpm, no other vibrations under my seat or the steering wheel. Same vibration in park and neutral. Led me to believe it was a harmonic issue somewhere. I wasnt enjoying driving it as my feet would tingle and I didn’t feel confident about the vehicle on long trips.
I was checking the oil today and noticed that the gas cable was being pushed by the oil dipper handle against the engine. I switched it’s position so that it rested on the other side of the dipper. Vibration completely gone.
I just purchased a 2006 expedition xlt and I am having the same issue, acceleration is fine but after fourth or fifth gear, I get a vibration, I take my foot off the gas and it immediately goes away, could it just simply be something that these trucks do. My truck was at ford for two weeks and they couldn’t find any issue except a misfire. The misfire was fixed but i’m still getting the vibration.
Hi Steve, did you ever fix this problem? If so, do you mind sharingm
Vibration when accelerating is usually a spark plug wire or ignition coil. If all these checked out good, Then you could have a U-joint going bad.
It could possibly be a transmission problem on your Expedition.
Coil on plugs right in 06 expedition right?
Yes, that is coil on plug.
I have a 2005 Ford Sport Trac and have the exact same issue and I have replaced, plugs, wires, fuel filter, crank position sensor and coil and still sputters!!! No one knows why????
Did you ever find the problem? Please advise.
Possibly a stuck open EGR valve.
1999 Ford Contour. When idling or just sitting the car seems fine.When driving the car occasionally sputters. Today while driving I had to go up a steep incline n the car sputtered n wouldn’t get any power n eventually stalled out. This happened several times.
Answer: You could have a misfire condition that happens more under load, such as the climbing up a hill. This could be either ignition related, such as a faulty ignition component like wires, plugs, module, etc. Or, it could be something like a clogged catalytic converter or a fuel related issue. If you have low fuel pressure, say from a bad fuel pump, that would make the car run worse when your foot is more in the gas. Either way, it is something that should be checked out soon.
Any updates related to this problem. I am finding a lot of people talking about this issue with the Ford vehicles but not seeing what actually fixed the problem! My 2006 Fd Expedition is doing the same thing. Sputtering and skipping and jerking during acceleration from a stopped position. Eventually gets better after about 3rd gear. Have changed plugs, cleaned throttle body. CEL comes on and goes off. Dealer stumped. Changed fuel filter too. Dunno what to do next. Seems to be worse if the car is cold or hasn’t been driven in a while!
I have the same exact problem in my expedition. I don’t have an rpm gauge but it happenes around 45 mph. No engine light comes on. And my traction control light pretty much stays on most of the time. Can’t tell if it’s related.