I recently bought a 1993 2dr 4.0 Explorer with 120K miles. I like it in every way except one. When the engine is cold, I have no problem shifitng into any gear from neutral. When the engine is warmed up, if I slide into neutral for a long traffic light, it is close to impossible to get it into first gear when I need to. If I am coasting, even slowly, it goes into first gear just fine. It is only a problem when I am stopped, go into neutral, then try to put it into gear. The same problem occurs with reverse, but in a different way. If the engine is cold, it goes into reverse just fine. If the engine is warm, it tends to grind when I put it into reverse. I had the transmission fluid checked and was told it was dark and well used. I changed it, but it hasn't improved this problem. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any suggestions? Does it look like I'm going to have to replace the transmission?

 

I had a '92 Sport with what sounds like a fairly similar problem. Mine kept losing just a little fluid from the master cylinder. There was no evidence of a leak anywhere so deduction pointed to an internal problem. As it turned out the slave cylinder was shot and the fluid was leaking into the bellhousing. The replacement part was around $100 but involved removal of the whole transmission. Luckily I have an uncle with a car lift...still a lot of work.

I say check the system's master cylinder (not brake master cylinder)to see if your fluid is low. If that's not it, I don't know what else it might be.

JD

 

If fluid is dirty try flushing /changing, must drain from slave cylinder in bellhousing, or need to replace master/slave cylinder. It sound like your clutch may be sticking had same problem on ranger, 1991 with 168k, they wear out. ot your syncro's are bad, I had my ranger 5 sp rebuilt at 47 k, former owner towed trailer, good luck

 

 

Recently I had a bearing that failed so had to get trans down, I changed the slave cylinder and all the inside components. My tech manual say to check the contact between slave cylinder and pressure plate, it could cause (if not correct)the problem you are refering to. The clutch could be not completly disengaged and your having trouble with gear.

 

I have 96' explorer with basically the same problem, first I would have to say check the transmission fluid level and for leaks in the master cylinder. But what I think is wrong with your explorer and mine is that the slave cylinder/throwout bearing is starting to wear out and the clutch is not releasing completely. Fixing it is a pain in the *** cause you need to pull out the whole transmission. Good luck.