jamsunami

I am getting a pulsing/vibration through the shifter handle in 3rd gear on deceleration only. I can be driving at 40mph, have it in 3rd gear, then remove my foot from the gas pedal and let the car slow down, and I’ll get this pulsing through the shifter through the whole time the car is slowing. The pulsing goes in-line with vehicle speed, so the pulsing slows as the car slows. Doesn’t happen in any other gear. There is no abnormal noise, and to be honest the shifter doesn’t even appear to be moving, it’s only if I have my hand on it that I can notice the issue. I can push on the shifter towards the dash and fight/stop the pulsing.

I have a 2004 Mustang GT with 45K miles, I’ve owned it since 38K miles, and I started noticing this “issue” somewhere in between buying the car and now, so it might have been there the whole time. My real questions are 1) should I be concerned, and 2) what are likely causes for these symptoms? Is this just inherent of the T3650 transmission? Any help/feedback is much appreciated!

cliffyk

If it is very slight, but noticeable, it is normal. Because of the tooth geometry and ratio of the 3rd gear set it has a bit of a "cogging" when the power flow reverses while decelerating...

trailor

The t3650's in the New Edges are a pain. I think in mid-04 they changed a few minor issues, but many were left unaddressed. I agree with cliff, sounds like just another one of the joys of our trannys

cliffyk

I actually think it's s pretty good transmission, people run 400 to 500 HP through them all the time--here's a good article describing the 3650 in some detail.

trailor

in it's ability to handle power, i will agree with ya cliff, they are a pretty durable tranny, its just all the little kinks that should have been worked out before they were put into the stang in 2001 1/2.. i mean the fact that ford had to issue a TSB for a rebuild kit to resolve the problems after most warranties were expired isn't a good sign, and it seems pretty sh*tty of them to issue it near or after the time most warranties expired on the first two model years it was used

EDIT: very good read there cliff! your knowledge base never ceases to amaze me

jamsunami

Cliff, Trailor, thank you both for the feedback. Thanks Cliff for the article and expertise, always interesting to read about the different features in the car.