Surging when truck is in overdrive with cruise control set.

Question edited for clarity.
Question moved to Ford Ranger category.

Overdrive issues are well known on that model. Get it checked with a good scan tool computer. Likely to be something electronic and the switch is mentioned in the link.

https://www.google.com/search?q=1999+Ford+Ranger+XLT+overdrive+problems

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Lockup converter, overdrive, torque converter lockup solenoid, spark plugs and restricted injectors .

91 Ranger - No OverDrive - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

www.ford-trucks.com > ... > Small Chassis Trucks > Ranger & B-Series
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check the tps ( throttle position sensor ). a bad tps causes transmission shift issues, bucking, jerking, idle surging, engine cutoff, hesitation on take off, surge while cruising down highway. am not saying this does the trick, but it is a good starting point. good-day !

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.

Check with a Ford Dealer about a possible recall to replace or install fusible link on cruise control cable located by master cylinder.

Overdrive is designed for highway use, to lower the engine's rpm's and conserve fuel. It will not hurt your vehicle to drive it in drive in the city.

Make sure the vacuum hose is attached to the actuator, try getting a diagnostic code from the cruise control system
the instructions can be downloaded by doing a google search.

Either the cruise control is going out or the torque converter clutch circuit is going out on the trannys overdrive. Do you have check engine light codes? If so you will need to have a computer hooked up to read them. Darrel coleman also has a problem with his car like this and I have suggested the same thing to him

i knew my 95 stealth overdrive was going bad i was driving in overdrive and the engine would rev up for a second hardly noticeable surging and it just stoped pulling i turned the button off and it will do fine in drive bottom line the piston seal in overdrive drum is bad rebuild it