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This is a 2000 ranger 4.0 4wd with 70K. This morning it started shifting hard from first to second gear and a few miles down the road the O/D light started flashing. I got it to work, pulled in, turned everything off restarted the car and drove around the parking lot and everything was fine. I have a few guesses...Bad transmission (unlikely), transmission computer controller (????), and I read here something about a speed sensor???? Should I just take it in and have the codes pulled to get a better idea?
My first guess would be the VSS. However, a similar problem can be caused by chafed or corroded wires in the harness underneath the driver's seat. There is even a TSB out on it.Try doing a search, I've posted the TSB before in a few threads.
So I checked the codes last night and no codes were recorded. I assume this is a good thing. I plan on replacing the VSS ($20) as soon as it quits raining since this seems to be a problem area. Anything else I should lok into if thius does not solve the problem? Nothing wrong other that a late hard shift from 1 to 2. Shifts at 3300 rpm.
Rockledge is right, check out the underseat connector especially if you use a car wash that has an underbody spray like most of ours here in the north. I've had problems similar to yours and the problem would come on shortly after a car wash. I suspect water would be forced up into the connector and cause some sort of shorting, at least momentarily, giving me a flashing ABS light. Once dried out, problem disappears, truck runs great.
Here is a quick update. I replaced the VSS last night. No change. I am getting better about IDing the symptoms. Intermittent flashing O/D dash indicator; constantly pulls 1st gear much to long (3500rpm or 40mph); intermittent hard shift 1st to 2nd; intermittent slip shift 1st to 2nd. Reads like the TSB for the harness. I think it is now time to get Ford involved. Hopefully not to expensive of a repair.
Further updates. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the valve bodies in the transmission. Not cheap but better than a new tranny. I had not noticed the slight burnt appearance to the tranny fluid in my at home diagnostics. Will no better next time.
the fluid had 30K prior to going in the shop. Not sure if they did or not. I will check the invoice. They should have.
I don't think the dealer is done yet, since the check engine light has been on since I picked it up Monday. The dealerr said it should go away after a few days (that's logical-sarcasm). Taking it back tomorrow when the few days are up. At least I had them pull the code before leaving the dealer Monday.
I agree they should have replaced the filter & exchanged the fluid.
I do mine myself, but the dealers have a Routunda machine that they hook up to the tranny return line to infuse new fluid as the old is pumped out.
Around here, just the fluid exchange is $90, with the filter & new pan gasket it's $120.
They should have turned the CEL off with their sanner.
Why not just for grin's, run this puppy by your local autoparts store for a no cost computer scan & see what they turn up???? Might be handy to have on your dealer return visit.
The autoparts store can also turn off the CEL if you want them to.
Yep, it is shifting normally and Ford cleared the code once and it immediately came back. Strange that everything is working.....I will post again after the next trip to the dealer.