So here in Wisconsin for the last two weeks we have had nothing but ice. That being said, I have a '96 ranger 3.0L, automatic transmission, 4x4. 4 wheel is inoperable at the moment, that's a different story. Here's my question: with the ice, there has been a lot of tire spinning at high RPM's, the other day, I was again stuck on the ice and rocked back and forth had some pushers, thought we were getting somewhere but I went to shift gears and all of a sudden had nothing. No Reverse, Drive, OD, L, 2. Did I blow my tranny? There was no noise or grinding, but the OD light seems to blink. Is there something I can check or look at? Any suggestions, thoughts, or diagnostics would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

The OD light blinking means you have set a trouble code. It might be readable with a simple code reader, and if you don't have one, a local parts store will likely read the code for you.

 

Since this is a 96 Ranger, it should be OBD-11, so if you have the DLC connector located in cabin below the dash at the steering column & have or can come by the ELM scantool running FORScan, or the like software, to the viewing device of your choice, it can scan the tranny & other vehicle computers for trouble code clues, then post up All code Numbers. Most parts store code readers can only scan the engine computer, so you may not be able to get any tranny code numbers from them.

With not being able to shift into any gear & the OD light flashing, as nelbur has said, is a clue that the tranny computer isn't happy & may have some good clues stored & the ELM scantool can access the tranny computer & query it for clues.

Its not clear if you can't Mechanically shift into any gear, or if you Can move the selector but your not getting any response??
Seeing as how the TRS = Transmission Range Selector is low down on the drivers side of the tranny, about where the door is & is exposed to deep ice & snow damage, look underneath & up, on the side of the tranny to view it, its mechanical & electrical connections & wiring to the TRS for damage.
If thats ok, pull the dipstick to make sure you have enough fluid in there, it should be on the dipstick & not smell burn't. If you have fluid & it looks & smells ok, perform a pressure test, if the pump has taken a dump, no pressure, means the tranny won't work.
High speed wheel spinning in the snow/ice, or prolonged rocking is a no no for the auto tranny & is warned against in the owner manual as it can cause over heating.

Over the years I've found that 2nd gear is my best auto tranny traction choice when dealing with snow & ice with a Min of wheel spinning. High speed wheel spinning just makes traction worse & being from the mountains of WVa & SW Va, we've had Plenty of those conditions to deal with back when roads weren't plowed & we had to make our own way tracks to go anywhere.
Anyway, have a look see on the drivers side at the TRS electrical connector, wiring & mechanical linkage connections & if ok check the tranny fluid & pressure & scan for & post All pending, or set trouble code Number clues.

 

I haven't had a chance to look at the truck yet. To clarify though, I can move the shifter but I get no response from the transmission.

 

OK, understand you can physically move the tranny shifter, but nothing happens. So check the things suggested above & let us know what you find. If the mechanical & electrical connections look ok, the fluid level & condition & pressure is right, have a look for trouble code clues with the inexpensive ELM scantool & post up All code Number clues found.