Transmission hesitates shifting to second and keeps downshifting from overdrive too quickly

run tha fault codes
could be a problem TCM ot TR sensor or just dirty oil

try briefly lifting your foot off the pedal, then punching it to get it to downshift.

1st check your fluid level, if its good I would suggest taking it in to your mechanic and have them service the transmission which involves dropping the tranny pan and replacing the filter and reinstall pan with new gasket and top fluid levels. A step further would be also have a tranny flush which will cost more due to labor and all the fluid neccesary to flush the system.

Durango would shift in and out of overdrive while driving at a steady rate. Replaced the throttle position sensor and fixed the problem. here are a few causes for a bad tps. transmission shift issues, bucking, jerking, idle surging, engine cutoff, hesitation on take off, surge while cruising down highway. have a good day ! tps is used by computer to monitor throttle position and adjust the speed, fuel and air to match throttle position. if tps is bad it will send wrong info. to computer. hope this helps !! if all else fails clean maf sensor. check tps first.

Shoot the transmission or better yet get a wire and command the overdrive itself to come on. But before you can do this look at the transmission fluid is it burnt or very very dark?And when you check transmission fluid level(car running) is it foaming or you see little bubbles.If you do shoot the transmission. Okay now check throttle cable or TV the one on the throttle body youll have 2 of them with is at wide open throttle take hold of the transmission downshift part does it have 1/4 freeplay it should cause that can affect the downshift.which in turns affects the overdrive. Now lets get to the dirty part in order for this transmission to have over drive. 2 solenoids signal must be in the off postion when the vehicle is in fourth gear . Your not slipping right? Now there is a sensor called O/d direct speed sensor(NC2) it detects rotaion speed of the clutch drum. all this does is detect shift timing by comparing NC@ sensor signal to the VSS vehicle speed sensor. this is the one on top of the transmission its called an input sensor or turbine. Now is the overdrive working yes it is does it feel like it works nope.when you turn on the overdrive and the O/D light is on its only transmission shift quality you only have 4 gears your transmission is a A541E 4 -SPD. Its working fine stop thowing part into it and dont shoot it.

Check the transmission fluid level. The sensor for speed may be tripping or not tripping causing the overdrive to engage or disengage at a particular speed. ---
Understanding the Hydraulic Control System The hydraulic pressure used to operate the servos comes from the main transmission oil pump. This fluid is channeled to the various servos through the shift valves. There is generally a manual shift valve, which is operated by the transmission selector lever, and a shift valve for each up shift the transmission provides.
Most automatic transmissions are electronically controlled; electrical solenoids are used to control the hydraulic fluid. The shift solenoids are regulated by an electronic control module. Shift timing is regulated through sensor feedback information provided to the electronic controller.
On older transmissions there are two pressures that control the shift valves. One is the governor pressure which is affected by vehicle speed. The other is the modulator pressure which is affected by intake manifold vacuum or throttle position. Governor pressure rises with an increase in vehicle speed, and modulator pressure rises as the throttle is opened wider. By responding to these two pressures, the shift valves cause the up shift points to be delayed with increased throttle opening to make the best use of the engine's power output.
Older transmissions also make use of an auxiliary circuit for downshifting. This circuit may be actuated by the throttle linkage, vacuum that actuates the modulator, or by a cable or solenoid. It applies pressure to the downshift surface on the shift valve or valves.
The transmission modulator also governs the line pressure, used to actuate the servos. In this way, the clutches and bands will be actuated with a force matching the torque output of the engine.

Hi, apparently something in your transmission its causing the speed sensor to go bad. Once you replaced it it ran good for a month. I will check the following
1) transmission oil level 2) check overdrive sensor 3) and then i will take it to a transmission shop
hope i helped thanks

i have a 2001 expolrer sport took it to my transmission guy he said it can be a common problem on some fords had a shift kit put in and havent had any problems since

Your transmission fluid contain water,thats why the colour of the fluid changed to pink.And of such the clutch is slipping causing the engine to reve up before shifting - Check transmission cooler.