I have a 98 Ranger, 4.0 automatic 4x4...I just replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets and after fumbling with the pug wires to finally get them in the right order, I suddenly find my OD light flashing off and on, and the tranny slamming into second, and once in top gear can feel the OD popping in and out?
From my reading here it looks like a pretty common problem, but the solution isn't as clear...
The vehicle set for about 3 months while I healed up from a injury, and and was working just fine when I parked it...due to the blown lower intake gasket.
I am thinking I have a vacuum line not connected or wrongly connected...or some kind of over looked item, but I can't spot anything...should I get a code reader and go from there...I am limited on cash, and ability to stand for long periods to figure this out...
I took me 3 days to disassemble it and 2 days to throw it back together, just to give you an idear of my diasbility slowing me down...I don't rush stuff just so I don't make too many mistakes...
Looking for some input here...

 

Yes these are prone to have the OD short. That is why I need it coded.
So your fluid doesn't smell burnt or dirty? My screen was changed to see if it had metal. Mine doesn't shift hard. How about your RPM's what are they doing.
Hopefully PawPaw can help he seems to be well up on these.
Good luck

 

My input would be to start a new thread. Running two totally separate issues in one thread is going to get very confusing.

 

Right on Mark, so I had a Super Mod begin a new thread so he could get answers just for his own problems.
Welcome to FTE thebighop51.
Hopefully you can now get answers just for your problems that won't be confused with answers to the problems the other thread was trying to deal with.

 

Probably not. There are no vacuum lines to the transmission.

You'd have to be very, very lucky to find what's wrong with this without knowing what codes are stored. If you had the codes we could tell you exactly where to start. Without the codes all I can tell you is find out what's wrong and fix it. I can't get any more specific than that without codes.

 

Welcome to FTE.
Seeing as how you like turning your own wrenches, maybe consider coming by the inexpensive ELM scan tool running FORScan or the like software on the viewing device of your choice as discussed here https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-scantool.html & have it perform an in depth vehicle trouble code scan & post up All trouble code Number clues it finds, as they could help focus your trouble shoot.

 

Well thebighop51, how is your tranny trouble shoot going, curious minds would like to know???

 

Howdy...thanks for following up and asking how I am coming along on the tranny problem...
After going around the block a few times trying to get someone to run a scan and give me the codes, I finally broke down and bought me a hand held scanner...an Actron CP9660 Pocket Scan Plus to be exact for $89. This scanner not only gives you the code...it gives you the meaning of the code too...I did get a shop to offer to run the diagnostic and give me the codes for $100...but turned it down figuring the $89 for the scanner is a bargain , and now I can run a scan for someone and give them the codes and what they mean, for free or a small fee to recoup my costs...
Anyway... I followed the instructions and ran the scan and came up with one code...
PO720...which according to the readout means Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit...
I haven't replaced the sensor yet , but will be looking to purchase one this coming week when my pension is deposited...
According to what I can find on it's function...if the output shaft speed sensor goes bad, it can't tell the tranny when to shift or when to go into O/D...it will make the O/D Off light flash too...
So I am thinking I am not a candidate for tearing into the steering column, to find a broken shorted wire in the O/D bundle, but rather think it will correct when I replace the sensor...
At least I am hoping that is how it will play out...
I still have a feeling that somehow, a vacuum line or function is responsible since the problem started after having all of the vac lines and whatnot disconnected to replace the upper and lower intake gaskets, and reconnected using the Helen Keller method...Once I finally got them all right, the motor smoothed out and is running great...the only problem has been the tranny shifting hard and erratic, popping out of gear...
Oddly enough...the tranny performs perfectly above 50 mph . Doesn't pop out of gear or shift up and down...
Once I get the sensor in and try it I will let you know how it worked out...

 

The sensor isn't the only thing that can set that code. So can any issue with the wiring between the computer and the OSS.

 

So....how do I determine which sensor or electrical problem is the culprit?
I have looked a a dozen illustrations and still can't say for sure which one is the output shaft speed sensor.....but the truck is on the ground and I can't see or reach any further than the drivers side because of the brackets and whatnot...not sure having it on a lift would help...looks like it almost requires dropping the tranny, but I find it hard to believe that I need to get that drastic...
I don't mind doing the work, but I do like to know where I am going before I tear things apart...any help is appreciated
BTW...I am bouncing back and forth between obligations and stuff I gotta do, and working on getting this truck right...
that's why there is so much delay between your comments and my reply

 

Have you come by the ELM scan tool yet?? If so, running FORScan, or a like software on the viewing device of your choice as suggested in my above link, have it perform a scan & post up All trouble code clues it finds, as they can help you focus your trouble shoot. The ELM & FORScan can have a in depth look into the tranny computer/controller for the clues you need.

 

Have no idear about a ELM scan tool...the hand held I bought only pulled the one code: PO720.
I can get the sensor out as the star head screw is rounded out and I haven't worked out a way to extract it yet....
It makes sense that the output shaft speed sensor is the problem based on the things the tranny is doing...
My door lock relay is screwed up too, but I don't see that tying in with the tranny shifting problem...
I am learning what Edison meant when he said he didn't consider himself a failure...he just knows 10,000 ways not to do something...LOL
I will get it right even if I have to pull the radiator cap and put a new truck under it

 

The P0720 is for the output shaft speed sensor Circuit, so everything in that circuit, including the output shaft speed sensor belongs on your suspect list.

Can you get a moto tool close enough to use a diamond cutting wheel & cut a slot in the messed up fastener head, so you could use a square shaft screw driver with a wrench on the shaft for extra torque, to loosen the fastener?

 

Double Post

 

You locate the output shaft speed sensor yet??? If not, tell us which auto tranny you have, the 4, or 5 speed auto, then someone could tell you where to look for the output shaft speed sensor.

If you've found it, check the wiring run to it, its electrical connector, pins, sockets for looseness, damage/bent/broken, pins/spread sockets/corrosion & with your multi-meter measure the resistance across the speed sensors contacts. It's common for the coil winding to go open circuit. If it's like my rear ABS speed sensor, it should measure something like 1.9K ohms across its contacts.