I posted this in the area dealing with transmissions (I think) and I haven't had any suggestions, so I thought I would post it here (if it's okay with the moderator) to see if anybody might have any suggestions for me and my Ranger.

I have a 97 Ranger, 2.3l, and if I have read the tag on the transmission correctly, it has the 5R55R automatic transmission (it sure seems to change gears like a 5 speed). Anyways, I've begun to notice a hard "bump" when the transmission downshifts, if I have to stop too quickly. Occassionally it has happened under normal stopping conditions, but it has done this 3 times in the last 4 days. I've been running highway speeds (on the highway, of course), and when I get on the exit ramp and begin to slow down, if I have to slow down too fast, there is the hard "bump" when it downshifts, and it seems like it is the final downshift into 1st.

Any ideas as to what might be causing this? The truck only has 89,000 miles on it. The fluid level is correct, does not smell burnt, and is a healthy pinkish color.

I've recently installed a transmission cooler, and it seems to have helped with some of the harder shifting issues in stop and go traffic, but this new problem has me puzzled.

Does anybody know if this particular transmission has these 'quirks'? I've experienced the 'shudder' as it slips into overdrive ever since I bought it, and I've grown accustomed to some of the behaviors while driving at highway speeds, but this new problem.....I want to know how concerned I should be and how prepared I should be for the possibility of the worst case scenario.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Are you certain its not the driveshaft you are hearing/feeling the thumping from? My 3.0 does a similar thing, but I'm quite certain it is the "driveshaft slop" problem. Or at least it better be since I just had the transmission rebuilt to the tune of $1700. Maybe you just need to grease your slip yoke. On mine it is more prevalant in heavy in town stop and go traffic, but it does do it when slowing from high highway speeds as well.

 

I don't think that the 5 speed auto was available for the 4cyl. in 97 as original equiptment. Has the transmission been replaced? If so, it may be a computer issue. Has the fluid been flushed/changed? As far as the bumping on downshift goes, it may be a bad valve body. Also, keep in mind that the drive shaft "thunk" only applies to the super cab configuration, not the regular cab.

 

Well, as far as whether the transmission has been replaced, I'm not sure. I'm the second owner of this truck. It came out of Florida (found this out from the Carfax report), and with everything that it has as far as original equipment, I'm beginning to wonder if somebody special ordered this vehicle.

As far as the transmission goes, I have four forward gears when overdrive is not engaged. I've counted the shifts, my Dad has counted them and I've had two friends count them. We all agree. Four forward gears when Overdrive is OFF. When Overdrive is ON, it changes through four gears before finally settling into overdrive.
I was curious about this and crawled under the truck to see, and from the marking on the tag, that is on the transmission, there is every indication that it is a 5 speed transmission. I tested it one day on the freeway by depressing the accelerator to kick it into passing gear. It comes out of Overdrive, into a lower gear, and then went into a second lower gear, and I reached up and pulled it down into 2 (2nd gear on the shift) and it downshifted again. The only lower gear left was L, and I didn't pull it down into it. So, from my experience driving it, I have a 5 speed automatic transmission mated to the 2.3l, 4 cylinder engine.

This problem has just now developed, so I seriously doubt that it is a computer issue.

 

The trans is a 5r55e You have 1,2,3,lockup,4 Lock up engages at highway speeds around 45 to 55 Pending how hard you are in the throttle.If you hold the gas pedal steady at 45 an tap the brake with your left foot(just enough to turn the brake lights on)It should come out of lock up Your RPMs should go up a 2 to 300RPM.That trans is very touchy.If your feeling a harsh downshift an a shudder coming off the freeway you could be having an internal problem with the torque converter or lock up solenoid.

 

So does that mean that it's a 4-speed auto and when it locks up it just feels like it has a 5th gear? If so, it sounds like it works like an A4LD.

Recently there was a question on the Aerostar site by someone who thought he had a 5-speed auto in his '97 Aerostar, and he was told it was possible.
Ray Mac

 

Its a 4r44e, 4r55e's were only in the 4.0, at least according to my shop manual.

It is a 4 speed transmission with electric lockup converter. I doubt the problem is caused by the lockup converter. When it disengages, it reverts to a fluid power transfer from a direct mechanical connection, so the transition should be very smooth.

My manual suggests checking things like the throttle position sensor, vehicle speed sensor and tachometer input. If that is okay, then start checking things like plugged passages in the control body, misaligned gaskets or bad valves. After that, you're probably going to have to take it to a transmission shop because the remainder of the diagnosis revolves around checking internal pressures and band tension, both of which are best left to someone with the proper tools.

 

I had wondered about the throttle position sensor. I read the manuals that I have and one of them lead me to believe that it might be a possibility. I don't have a tachometer, so that rules that out, and the vehicle speed sensor is another possibility. The tps doesn't look like it would be too hard to do myself, if that's the problem. And I could probably do the speed sensor, but I really don't want to go to the transmission shop, if I don't have to.

I know you can't always depend on any warning lights to indicate a problem. A friend of mine, with an older vehicle, had the oxygen sensor and throttle position sensor both go out and only found out after running diagnostic codes on his car.

I guess I should go to one of the auto parts places to see if they will pull the codes.

 

IT DIED!!!!

I was at a redlight the other day, and when I tried to take off, the engine revved but the transmission didn't do anything. Whatever was going wrong,......went! Luckily, I was about a mile from the nearest Ford dealer, and dropped it off for it's checkup.

Diagnosis........New Transmission.

Cost.....I had to sit down after I heard it,..... but at least they're giving me a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty, and I won't have to deal with any of the Major transmission ripoff places.

Just glad I wasn't 100 miles away from home!

 

Yeah, I went to a supposed reputable transmission shop and had mine rebuilt....$1700. I'm kicking myself for not just ponying up for a new one, but they are expensive. I'd be scared to death of what the dealership would charge.

 

Well, after finding out that I needed another transmission for my truck, I got more bad news. Found out, upon further inspection by the tech, that the transmission lines that run through the radiator had apparently 'sprung a leak' and transmission fluid was mixing with the anti-freeze.

So, final fix. (1)Remanufactured transmission from Ford. (2)New radiator and thermostat AND heater control valve. (3)Complete system flush. And the amazing thing is, it DIDN"T hurt the engine.

The little truck now runs like a new truck. I'm gonna have to learn the feel of it all over again, but since it only has about 89,500 miles on it, if I can get about 90,000 out of the new transmission, I'll be satisfied.