Transmission Advice Please
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Freshman User
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From: NW IL
Transmission Advice Please
Need some help so I appear to know what I am talking about when I go to the tranny shop. I have a 2000 Ranger and according to the VC label it has the A4LD/4R44E Auto trans. I might add the truck has 120,000 miles also.
Since the temp has warmed up here in the Midwest, the tranny has been acting up. (Can't think they are related, I don't drive long distances). It seems to "hang up" in 1st gear and they "slam" into 2nd for a short stay and then quickly into 3rd. Once the OD/off light was flashing after a short drive a couple days ago, hasn't repeated since.
Bought the truck used not long ago and don't think the previous owner keep up with scheduled maintenance so who knows when the last time the tranny fluid was changed. I knew I was in for some fixing up so it's not a big suprize. I just want to know what to expect from tranny mechanic. I will take it to a transmission shop, not the local Ford Dealer.
Since the temp has warmed up here in the Midwest, the tranny has been acting up. (Can't think they are related, I don't drive long distances). It seems to "hang up" in 1st gear and they "slam" into 2nd for a short stay and then quickly into 3rd. Once the OD/off light was flashing after a short drive a couple days ago, hasn't repeated since.
Bought the truck used not long ago and don't think the previous owner keep up with scheduled maintenance so who knows when the last time the tranny fluid was changed. I knew I was in for some fixing up so it's not a big suprize. I just want to know what to expect from tranny mechanic. I will take it to a transmission shop, not the local Ford Dealer.
Last edited by knoxnil; Mar 31, 2005 at 01:17 AM.
Post Fiend
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From: Eastern WA
The reason I ask is the VSS feeds data to the ECM, the cruise, the speedometer, and data is used by the tranny to control shifting. Sometimes when a VSS fails one or more of these items have problems.
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I have a 95 ranger 2.3L and after long drives with a load, it won't shift into overdrive and the O/D light flashes. I would also like to see if anybody else had this problem and what is the solution for this mysterious flashing O/D light.
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From: NW IL
Bill--went for an extended drive this afternoon, cruise works fine, speedo works fine. I did notice after using the cruise the o/d off light started flashing which I know means something is not right somewhere. I shut it off and restarted and it never came on again all afternoon. Actually the longer I drove it the more back to normal it acted.
I did take a look at the fluid when I got home and it is a little high on the dip stick. I bought this truck this winter. Up till now the temp has been in the 30's and 40's, the last few days have been in the 50's and 60's which coincides with the shifting acting up. The level is about 1/2 inch above the crosspatch (covers up the DON'T). What might this indicate?
What can a transmission shop tell about a problem without tearing into the thing? What sort of diagnostic tools do the good shops have to eliminate the guesework, I don't mind paying the price for good quality work if it gets results you know what I mean.
I did take a look at the fluid when I got home and it is a little high on the dip stick. I bought this truck this winter. Up till now the temp has been in the 30's and 40's, the last few days have been in the 50's and 60's which coincides with the shifting acting up. The level is about 1/2 inch above the crosspatch (covers up the DON'T). What might this indicate?
What can a transmission shop tell about a problem without tearing into the thing? What sort of diagnostic tools do the good shops have to eliminate the guesework, I don't mind paying the price for good quality work if it gets results you know what I mean.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
I'm not an ace on A/T's, but if it were mine I would remove some fluid to get it to the correct level. The fluid level should be checked on a warm engine, vehicle on the level. Too much fluid in the tranny results in the possibility of foam in the fluid; since the system is hydraulic that foam could cause issues.
I'm normally not a fan of just throwing money at parts, but if it were mine the next thing I would take a shot at is replacing the VSS. They cost about $15 - $20. You can easily install that yourself in 15 - 20 minutes. I've read of a handful of cases where people have had shifting problems; they pull the codes from the ECM (computer) and there were no fault codes. They took a shot at replacing the VSS and it worked.
I'm normally not a fan of just throwing money at parts, but if it were mine the next thing I would take a shot at is replacing the VSS. They cost about $15 - $20. You can easily install that yourself in 15 - 20 minutes. I've read of a handful of cases where people have had shifting problems; they pull the codes from the ECM (computer) and there were no fault codes. They took a shot at replacing the VSS and it worked.
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I just replaced my VSS last month. At first, the transmission started shifting funny. Then the next time i went to drive the truck, the speedo went dead, the ABS light came on, and I had to manually shift the trans from 2nd to O/D to get it to go above 40 mph......and mind you I have an auto trans. The clear cut sign that it was the VSS, aside from the CEL i got, is the speedo going dead, the ABS light coming on, and the transmission acting all sorts of weird.
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From: NW IL
To answer Chippas' ?, when the o/d off light starts flashing, the computer is sensing a problem and that you need to have the codes pulled.
My question is, where is this VSS and what does it look like? I'm from the old school, before all this electronic mumbo gumbo. I don't have the same problems that 99FordRangerNC describes tho.
I did talk to a local tranny shop and they are going to pull the codes Monday and see what they think it is. Will post the results when I get them.
My question is, where is this VSS and what does it look like? I'm from the old school, before all this electronic mumbo gumbo. I don't have the same problems that 99FordRangerNC describes tho.
I did talk to a local tranny shop and they are going to pull the codes Monday and see what they think it is. Will post the results when I get them.
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From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
I have a manual trans in my truck but i wouldn't expect the speed sensor to be much different. It basically is the same set up and spot as the old turbo 350 trannys, it's towards the back on the drivers side and is held in by one bolt but instead of a cable attaching to it like in the old days, it has a wire connector on it. Go to Autozone to get the codes pulled, they do it for free.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Originally Posted by knoxnil
My question is, where is this VSS and what does it look like? I'm from the old school, before all this electronic mumbo gumbo. I don't have the same problems that 99FordRangerNC describes tho.
I've read of cases where no fault is found when codes are pulled yet the VSS is bad. This is why I suggested taking a chance on this one. The VSS is not a very expensive part.
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Originally Posted by CowboyBilly9Mile
On mid 90's Rangers, it's located on the top of the pumpkin on the rear end. There is a small wiring harness leading to it. The sensor is removed with just one small bolt (metric). I'd expect a 99 to be the same as earlier models, especially if the 99 has RABS. Replacement is really easy and takes about 15 minutes.
I've read of cases where no fault is found when codes are pulled yet the VSS is bad. This is why I suggested taking a chance on this one. The VSS is not a very expensive part.
I've read of cases where no fault is found when codes are pulled yet the VSS is bad. This is why I suggested taking a chance on this one. The VSS is not a very expensive part.
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From: NW IL
Update on my problem
That was it Dale, just got word from the man at the tranny shop, valve body gasket blown out, a common problem according to those in the buisness. Will post the final bill when I see it tomorrow.
Last edited by knoxnil; Apr 7, 2005 at 06:26 PM.