# Overdrive hesitation

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/overdrive-hesitation/48077>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** escort, ford\
**Created:** [April 28, 2010, 6:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overdrive-hesitation/48077 "2010-04-28T06:38:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kilmenow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5e9695/32.png) [@kilmenow](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kilmenow)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 6:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overdrive-hesitation/48077/1 "2010-04-28T06:38:32Z")

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1993 ford escort wagon, automatic, 128,000 miles.  
  
  
  
 car runs fine in drive, when in overdrive on freeway, periodic hesitation.

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overdrive-hesitation/48077/2 "2010-04-28T14:29:06Z")

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Are you driving in hilly terrain when this happens? Using OD when towing, with a heavy load or in hills/mountains you may encounter “hunting”. This is a term used for overdrive transmissions that constantly seek the proper gear and can be thought of as “hesitation”. It’s more prevalent with smaller vehicles. Have you serviced the transmission fluid per the owners manual schedule? Read your owners manual recommendations for using OD.

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**Author:** ![transman618](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/transman618/32/24_2.png) [@transman618](https://community.cartalk.com/u/transman618)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overdrive-hesitation/48077/3 "2010-04-28T15:27:17Z")

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That could be anything. It could be a drivability problem such as a bad plug or plug wire. Dont blame the transmission just yet. Check out all avenues. The worst feeling in the world is repairing/replacing some big expensive component and the problem is still there. Have a drivability tech look at it first and rule out the engine.

transman