I have a 1994 Ford Ranger, 4 cyl. 2 door, 254,000 km on it. All the other gears work fine, but if I reverse out of the driveway for example, I have a devil of a time getting it to into first.

My mechanic says is likely the synchro..........sounds like an expensive job too.

I am trying to get it ready to sell, as we can't afford 2 cars and have moved 2 blocks from husband's job, so we can sell the truck. I'd rather sell the car, but it's leased.........bad planning.

Do you think somebody would still buy it? Should I try to explain what it is and drop the price accordingly?

If it didn't have this problem I could probably get about $3,400 Cdn for it, safetied and emissions tested. Now that I know about this problem, I don't know what to do.

It has been like this for a while, and I can drive it fine, but it may really scare people off. Any advice on whether this will get worse, or would you buy a truck if you knew it was like that?

Thank you,
Christine

 

I think it sounds like impending trans rebuild time, which you are correct in saying is not a cheap proposition. I just had a rebuilt transmission installed on my '93 (not sure if they use the same one or not) and it cost me close to $2000 US to have it done, including all the new clutch parts. It happened with about the same mileage (or "kilometerage") you are at now.

I guess it might be possible to remove the tranny and just replace the bad parts, but if you're going to sell it anyway, I would just see what you can get with the potential trans issue disclosed. It is unlikely you'd get the cost of the replacement trans out of the deal if you were to fix it. Of course, the pool of potential buyers for a vehicle with possible major mechanical problems is a lot smaller.

 

What a drag! Just picked it up from oil change and full service, right this moment it's running like a charm, but I"m sure the problem is still there ugh! Thx.

 

Just a thought - have you tried changing the oil in the trans? I'm not sure if it would do any good, but it's worth a try, and it's easy to do.

 

I've got one of those excellent private mechanics, it' so hard to get in - he had my truck for a week with the safety, the e-test and full service, plus he's kind of "opinionated", but great. I'll maybe give him a call and see if he'd be willing. Thx.

 

Hi Oppy,

I have found a friend, and we're going to change the gear oil to a synthetic gear oil, Mobil 1 75-90 (I think) and also bleed the hydraulic clutch. I am hoping that will do it. He suggested it may even be a linkage? so...........I'll let you know how I fare, and thanks for all the advice.

 

There's not too much in the line of linkage in there, so I doubt that's the problem.

Don't bother with the clutch unless the pedal feels spongy - they're a major pain to bleed correctly!

I wouldn't get my hopes up too high, but changing the oil is certainly worth the effort!

Good luck!

 

Oppy, stupid question for ya.......is changing the gear oil the same as an oil change? I know the guy helping me on Friday will know, but I was wondering, as I just had a regular oil change.
Thanks!
Chris

 

Hi Cbrine,

First of all, welcome to FTE.

I had a similar problem with my '94 5-spd about a year ago. The problem started just out of the blue one day, like you described with yours.

As I had never owned a vehicle with a hydraulic clutch, I never thought about checking the fluid level in the slave cylinder. Fortunately someone suggested it to me before I had the clutch redone. Wouldn't you know it was a little low. Just added some brake fluid and after about a day (weekends are handy) I had worked all the air out of the line. Good as new (not to mention inexpensive.)

That may not be your problem, but it's worth checking before you have the clutch or tranny done.

alm

P.S. FWIW, I had a mechanic check for leaks while it was in the shop for other reasons and he couldn't find any reason that it was low of fluid.

 

Changing the gear oil was referring to the oil in the transmission.

 

Thanks everyone for your knowledge and advice! I suspect something to do with the slave cylinder/fluid/air myself since it was replaced last year. Just wish this old brain could remember when the shifting problems began!

Thanks again

 

Your trans does not use 85/90W oil. It uses Mercon auto trans fluid. If you use the 85/90 it will be extremely hard to shift at all times, especially when it's cold.

 

Thank you about the oil. I have decided not to play mechanic. I am going to take the truck to another mechanic I have heard really good things about. There have been more thoughts from some others as well....clutch plate and different things.

I think I'm getting in way over my head as far as throwing money at changing the oil and stuff, without really having the problem diagnosed.

It could be my imagination, but the shifting seems to be getting worse, doesn't "slide" real smoothly into second while driving down the road, almost clicks in now.

I'm going to offer my thoughts to the new mechanic, as from what I hear, he is approachable. I'll mention:
- air in the system after the slave cylinder was changed (bleed the hydraulic clutch)
- possiblity of changing the gear oil to the Mercon Auto Trans fluid (thanks for that info!)

I have to wait until July 7 to get in, but this man actually makes appointments, doesn't have 100 people hanging around all the time, and you can actually reach him by phone, and apparently once he has your vehicle, he's working on it pretty much right away, but is still a private licensed mechanic. A friend of mine looked under the hood (this is after I have the truck back from a full service with my regular mechanic) - and one of the battery covers is absent that would cover 3 holes, and the fluid in that side is really low. Ugh!! I have no idea what work the last fellow did or didn't do.

I appreciate having all your help to get ideas and feel I'm not totally alone on this!

Chris

 

Oh no!!! I stopped to do something with my engine still running with the AC on and window down.. I first kept hearing like an air hose sound with an air blower going! I turned off my AC button and low and behold it was a sound from my Ranger!! 1990 2.3, 2wd 5-speed manual overdrive with 115,742 miles. As I have read other postings, this one has been hard to put into first and reverse ever since before I bought it in 1995. Not all the time but mostly after it is parked, then it is fine except the hard click into first at times at a stop sign. If I forget to slip it into first as I coast to a stop.. As I was looking to find out what to do about my new discovery with the AC? I noticed the fuel gauge on empty and with 42 miles on a full tank I later went and put more in to check if leak formed or stolen gas !! Well I was only able to put in 2 gallons soooo none was taken .. So, do I need a another fuel gauge sending unit or what?? Thank you

 

Wish I knew more than just about my problem..........but it's interesting that you have the same shifting problem and it's been like that since 1995.......maybe mine won't "implode"! Good Luck, there is lots of good advice in here!