2002 Transmission "Thunk"

Hi,

I have a 2002 V6 XLT with 4WD. In the last week, it has exhibited a
strange behavior. First thing in the morning, when cold (maybe low
50's/high 40's) when I start it and back out of the driveway there is a
noticabel noise coming from (perhaps) the front fifferential, transfer
case or transmission.

If I coast in neutral there is a definite drag on the drivetrain. If I
turn the engine off in neutral or park and restart the problem
persists. If I turn the key all the way off, there is a definite
release of energy from the drivetrain. If I only turn the key to "off"
the energy will not release.

This seems to indicate an electrical issue?

I have to go through the drive/stop/off/start/drive sequence several
times and then it will go away. I have tried cycling through 4x4 high,
4x4 low, 4x4 auto thinking perhaps this was a controller issue but to
no avail.

The problem goes away after a few cycles (or perhaps fully warming
up?).

It is difficult to get to the shop so if this is a simple or common
issue I'd be interested to hear about it.

Thanks to all for reading and replying.

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a 2002 V6 XLT with 4WD. In the last week, it has exhibited a
> strange behavior. First thing in the morning, when cold (maybe low
> 50's/high 40's) when I start it and back out of the driveway there is a
> noticabel noise coming from (perhaps) the front fifferential, transfer
> case or transmission.
>
> If I coast in neutral there is a definite drag on the drivetrain. If I
> turn the engine off in neutral or park and restart the problem
> persists. If I turn the key all the way off, there is a definite
> release of energy from the drivetrain. If I only turn the key to "off"
> the energy will not release.
>

You have me confused, here. How do you differentiate between "off" and "all
the way off"?
H

All the way off is the setting the key is in when it is inserted or
removed, and off is the position after starting, when turned off but
not removed.

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> All the way off is the setting the key is in when it is inserted or
> removed, and off is the position after starting, when turned off but
> not removed.
>

Ok, I understand. I wouldn't think there would be any difference,
electrically, between the off position and the lock position, but I could be
wrong. It suggests a wiring problem in the column, to me, but that's pure
speculation. Hopefully, someone else will have a solution for you.
H

Update:

This morning it did it again. If I accelerate to say 20-25MPH hear the
grinding/gear whine, and then put in neutral the whine will stay with
the engine on or off, but if I turn the key to "lock" (all the way off)
it stops. If I turn the key just 1 click toward on, it starts again
after 2-3 seconds and I can repeat this until the car stops moving.

More update:

Yesterday and today I allowed the vehicle to idle to a warm up, about 8
minutes. So far, no problem. I suspect it may be related to
transmission fluid/viscosity issues although the on/off issue still
perplexes me.

I'll try a transmission service and see what happens next. The local
Ford dealer is known for finding all sorts of things to fix.