95 Ranger Weird clutch problem
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95 Ranger Weird clutch problem
When ever i am at a complete stop, i have to hold down the clutch pedal for about 4 seconds before it will go into any gear. If i'm in motion it shifts flawlessly through all gears. But if i stop and put it into neutral and let off the clutch, the next time i push it down it will take about 4 seconds to slide in any gear including reverse. I just bought the truck a few days ago so i don't know its history but everything seems well maintained. Can someone let me know what this is and if it will cause major issues down the line?
1995 Ranger XLT 2.3L SOHC 2WD 5spd 169,000 miles.
1995 Ranger XLT 2.3L SOHC 2WD 5spd 169,000 miles.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,533
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From: Dexter, MI
Welcome to FTE. This is a great site for help with your Ranger. A couple of suggestions:
1. Check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder. If it is low, replenish with brake fluid.
2. With the gearshift lever in neutral, quickly depress the clutch pedal and also quickly try shifting into reverse. Do the gears grind/clash? If so, the most likely culprit is a slave cylinder that is going bad. Look under the clutch housing for a possible fluid drip.
1. Check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder. If it is low, replenish with brake fluid.
2. With the gearshift lever in neutral, quickly depress the clutch pedal and also quickly try shifting into reverse. Do the gears grind/clash? If so, the most likely culprit is a slave cylinder that is going bad. Look under the clutch housing for a possible fluid drip.
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I checked the master cylinder, it was about 1/3 low so i filled it. I also depressed the clutch pedal quickly tried shifting into reverse from neutral. i did it twice and it grinded both times. So if it is the slave cylinder, is this the worse of it or what is there more to come? Also, if i wait a while to fix it (money issues) can it damage anything else down there and potently compound the price to repair it?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Dexter, MI
Those who have had this problem find that the problem will gradually get worse. In the short term, as you are coming to a stop, shift into 1st gear before the truck is completely stopped. This way the only time you have a difficult time getting into 1st gear is when you have started the engine or forgot to get into 1st gear before you have stopped.
At some time you will have to bite the bullet and replace the slave cylinder. This will involve removing the transmission. Those who have made this repair have replaced the clutch master cylinder at the same time.
At some time you will have to bite the bullet and replace the slave cylinder. This will involve removing the transmission. Those who have made this repair have replaced the clutch master cylinder at the same time.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
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From: Lost
You may be able to extend the life of the slave/master by having the fluid flushed. Doing this proceedure every couple of years will greatly extend the service of these items, but if it has never been done, it may not be quite as helpful in the long term.
If the fluid in the resevoir is dark/black looking, it's time to perform this. The fluid should be almost clear.
If the fluid in the resevoir is dark/black looking, it's time to perform this. The fluid should be almost clear.
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This there anything else it can be besides the slave cylinder? I'm asking because if I'm down there changing it out, I don't want to find out later it wasn't it. If I'm dropping the tranny, I might well replace anything else it may be. again, it only happens when I shift to a gear from neutral after letter off the clutch pedal. It takes about 3-5 seconds to slide into gear. It feels like something is blocking it for those few seconds.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,940
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From: Southern Oregon Coast
I would agree with the others that it's the slave cylinder - the only thing I would suggest would be make sure you're familiar with the bleeding procedure before swapping it out... If you're going to do the slave, you might as well do the whole clutch...
I have this problem while trying to shift into 1st - I've found that if I shift into 2nd first, then 1st, it goes in with very little problem...
With over 124k on the ticker, I'm sure my clutch is in dire need of attention - I'm sure the slave cylinder is going out - I keep having to add fluid to the reservoir every so often...
I just recently had a major fluid service done on Lil' Red and it seems to shift a bit better with fresh fluid - maybe try that first to see if it makes any difference...
I have this problem while trying to shift into 1st - I've found that if I shift into 2nd first, then 1st, it goes in with very little problem...
With over 124k on the ticker, I'm sure my clutch is in dire need of attention - I'm sure the slave cylinder is going out - I keep having to add fluid to the reservoir every so often...
I just recently had a major fluid service done on Lil' Red and it seems to shift a bit better with fresh fluid - maybe try that first to see if it makes any difference...
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so here me out on this and maybe someone smarter then me can chime it.
Your synchros in the tranny are wearing out. Before Synchros were used you had to double clutch the transmission. Which is clutch, then shift out of gear, let go of clutch, rev the engine to get the tranny rollin to the right RPMs, clutch, then shift into said gear. Synchros make it where you don't have to double clutch. Synchros made it where you didn't have to get the transmission at the right RPM before clutching and shifting into the right gear.
You have to wait for the transmission and engine to be in the right place RPM wise before shifting into first. When you press the clutch the shaft of the tranny slows down a little cause its not engaged to the engine anymore and then when it does, bammo you can shift into first
Best bet is change the fluid, then change it again in like 500 miles or something. Synchros wear out, they are what save the gears. But good fluid make them synchronize much smoother.
Your synchros in the tranny are wearing out. Before Synchros were used you had to double clutch the transmission. Which is clutch, then shift out of gear, let go of clutch, rev the engine to get the tranny rollin to the right RPMs, clutch, then shift into said gear. Synchros make it where you don't have to double clutch. Synchros made it where you didn't have to get the transmission at the right RPM before clutching and shifting into the right gear.
You have to wait for the transmission and engine to be in the right place RPM wise before shifting into first. When you press the clutch the shaft of the tranny slows down a little cause its not engaged to the engine anymore and then when it does, bammo you can shift into first
Best bet is change the fluid, then change it again in like 500 miles or something. Synchros wear out, they are what save the gears. But good fluid make them synchronize much smoother.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Welcome to FTE. This is a great site for help with your Ranger. A couple of suggestions:
1. Check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder. If it is low, replenish with brake fluid.
2. With the gearshift lever in neutral, quickly depress the clutch pedal and also quickly try shifting into reverse. Do the gears grind/clash? If so, the most likely culprit is a slave cylinder that is going bad. Look under the clutch housing for a possible fluid drip.
1. Check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder. If it is low, replenish with brake fluid.
2. With the gearshift lever in neutral, quickly depress the clutch pedal and also quickly try shifting into reverse. Do the gears grind/clash? If so, the most likely culprit is a slave cylinder that is going bad. Look under the clutch housing for a possible fluid drip.
Check the manual, for your manual... LOL
Senior User
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As your synchros age it will get harder and harder to push into gear except when the rpm's of the engine and the tranny are perfectly matched. It will develop a sweet spot where it wants to shift. Thats how mine is. I dunno, maybe I baby mine too much but i can feel even the slightest thing off when shifting a manual, thats why I love a stick.
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