Transmission making jerking movements in reverse and slow gear changes

2007 FORD MUSTANG
189,000 MILES • 4.0L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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007 PONY
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While backing up I noticed sometimes my car will delay or make jerking movements in reverse as opposed to clean reveres. while I was driving my car felt “heavy” or that it stayed in a gear for too long while trying to drive. Yesterday I took my car in to see if the previous owner serviced the transmission fluids and the tech said “there are no records of the past owner ever doing a transmission fluid job”

So my question is, is my transmission making jerking movements in reverse and slow gear changes due to lack of transmission fluid (my year car does not have a dip stick so I would have to drain the pan to check) or do I have my serious concerns? Giving my harmonic balancer had been replaced earlier and could have damaged the transmission?
Apr 3, 2018 at 4:30 PM
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STRAILER
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Hello,

The harmonic balancer should not have anything to do with it. I would service the transmission to start. Here is a guide to help you with diagrams to show you how to add fluid.

Pump fluid in until it comes out of the overflow.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Check out the diagrams (below).

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
Apr 5, 2018 at 11:43 AM
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007 PONY
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Would adding fresh fluid mess it up though? A couple of techs in my area refused to change my fluid because of how old my car is in miles (189,000).
Apr 5, 2018 at 3:39 PM
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STRAILER
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You need to change the fluid or at least check the level. You will ruin it if you drive it with the fluid low.
Apr 6, 2018 at 11:14 AM