Engine Shudder

Your tranny isn't making enough pressure to engage until the fluid heats up - this is not good. You *really* need to stop operations with the vehicle until you can confirm that the filter isn't clogged or that the fluid level correct. Also, that the cabin shifter is in fact moving the tranny control lever into the righ spot.

If the filter, fuild level and linkage look good - then you have a automatic on it's last legs. That last leg can be a longish one or a shortish one - literally no way to tell.

When it finally does go - you will be standed and you will then not have the option to repair - you will need to replace.

Sorry for the bad news brother - were it mine, I would get it gone over now hoping to repair instead of replace.

My 2002 saab 9-3 auto trans does the same thing...52,000 miles on my car.

I took the car in and told my mechanic to spec look at the transmission his opnion is that I am fine in that area. He did say that the reason this was happening was b/c of a oscillating idle. He didn't get a chance to go into detail about what he fixed but it seems to be a lot better.

Interesting, thx for the update. If you had a oscillating idle, it might explain much as it would be trying to engage the engine outside the RPM range. Bet it was caused by a vacuum leak or a heat range sensor - which would further throw it off.

Glad you got it sorted out as banging around an automatic transmission is always a fast road to perdition in any machine.

Filed for future reference. Happy motoring!

I believe he said it was a vacuum leak that he fixed.