I have a '98 Ranger 4x4 XLT 4.0 auto with an intermittent transmission problem. Sometimes when it should be crossing over into 5 (overdrive) it will sit in 4th for about 30 seconds and the O/D light will start to flash. When I go to slow down, I can feel the transmission downshift through each gear, getting rougher further down it goes. If I go to start driving again, it is just as rough going up through the gears. When I shut off the truck and start it back up, it is fine again and will shift normally.

It did this once about a year ago, and I turned it off and back on and it was fine, so never thought much else about it. Here recently, it is happening again only it is happening more regularly. Some days it will work fine w/ no problems what so ever, and somedays, I will turn it off and back on and when I get back up to speed again it does it again. I have not been able to isolate it to it being hot or cold as it will do it in both conditions. I have tried to hook up a code scanner to it to see if the transmission left any codes, but the O/D light was not flashing when I ran the code scanner.

I currently have 131,000 miles on it and really like the truck. It is mostley driven on the interstate about 80 miles a day. Anybody have any ideas.

storeboy

 

Have you changed the oil and filter? What does the oil look and smell like? Does it smell burned, or does it look brown?

 

In the older E4OD's, if the torque convertor sliped, the tranny would go into dummy mode, flash the o/d light, and would raise line pressure to prevent sliping, and then hard shifts. Get your o/d light flashing, and take ti to autozone or advance auto parts and have them pull the code. Could be the torque convertor or the selonoid pack.

 

Autozone or one of those places can't pull the codes for you. You need to go to a tranny shop. They can, usually free. Dealer can also but it will cost you $90.
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Two possibilities (TSB's for both):
1) TCC solenoid. 98 thru 00 are know to have bad crippings on the solenoid that fail over time.
2) 98 thru 00's are also known to have a bad throttle body spacer. Ford has an upgrade kit available.
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Don't drive around to much with the O/D light flashing. Tourque Converter damage is a potential problem if it cannot lock up and the line pressure is high for prolonged periods.
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Good luck and don't procrastinate, cost me $2000

 

autozone can pull codes, atleastt for my obd-II system.

 

Is that upgrade kit for the throttle body spacer something a shade tree mech can install or does that have to be done at a tranny shop/dealer? I have a 2000 Ranger 4x4 3.0 auto that has developed a harsh shift between 2nd and 3rd. Thanks

 

oops that must sound kinda stupid......my brain was in a different place. I should have typed <b>valve body</b> spacer.
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You would to check with a tranny shop on replacing it. It involves dropping the tranny pan and pullingi the valve body out and apart I believe. Not 100% sure.