Hello everyone. 02 tribute owner here. Having an issue that is driving me nuts. My truck oftens "jumps/rattles" typically around the 35-50 MPH range during slow acceleration. Typically the car hangs around 14-1500 RPM and with an increased load (IE going up a hill), the RPM will jump up to the 2500 range. Sometimes it is felt, and sometimes the car makes a distinct rattling sound. Sometimes it can be felt downshifting as well.

This happens only during a steady hold of RPM's...and then the car jumps. If I accelerate at a faster pace...the transmission of gears is smooth. Or sometimes before the anticipated jump...if I momentarily let off the gas and accelerate through...it will prevent the jump as well. All of this is occuring with the O/D system turned on...and I'm willing to bet it's an issue with the overdrive itself and/or in conjunction with "locking out" with regards to torque conversion. Or could it be a TPS sensor going bad? Or is my tranny slipping and I need major bucks to fix?

Any help/feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks.