# 2002 Ford Explorer - Hard shifts

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-hard-shifts/149229>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford\
**Created:** [September 21, 2019, 10:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-hard-shifts/149229 "2019-09-21T22:07:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![LuisRios](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@LuisRios](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LuisRios)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 10:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-hard-shifts/149229/1 "2019-09-21T22:07:46Z")

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Hard shifting on my transmission when I stop and take off again.

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-hard-shifts/149229/2 "2019-09-21T23:01:24Z")

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The only guess I can make with nearly zero information about your vehicle and problem is; You might need a rebuilt transmission.

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 12:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-hard-shifts/149229/3 "2019-09-23T00:07:37Z")

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what speed is the engine idling at the stop light?

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**Author:** ![phantoms9999\_157795](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5a626/32.png) [@phantoms9999\_157795](https://community.cartalk.com/u/phantoms9999_157795)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2019, 2:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-hard-shifts/149229/4 "2019-09-24T02:08:59Z")

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Have you checked the oil level?

Would your 2002 have vacuum assist in the transmission selecting? if so I would look at the vacuum lines for any broken or disconnected or pinched. if you take a vacuum line off al older transmission it will shift hard.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2019, 3:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-hard-shifts/149229/5 "2019-09-24T03:44:59Z")

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Is this just a single “jolt” when you come to a stop sign, and stop while remaining in D? Perhaps followed by a similar “jolt” when you take your foot off the brakes and start moving again?

Or is it harsh shifting all the way up the normal gear shifts (1-2, 2-3, 3-4, etc) as you accelerate from a stop until you reach 30 mph or so?

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**Author:** ![monkarl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@monkarl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/monkarl)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2019, 7:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-hard-shifts/149229/6 "2019-09-24T07:55:48Z")

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Could be a bad solenoid in the transmission.