I have a 1998 Ranger, 4x4, 4L v6 with manual transmission. It has about 83000 miles and i use it off road fairly often.

I have problems shifting especially during colder weather when i first start out in the morning and at stop signs or lights until the truck gets good and warm. This can go on for 10 miles or more. I live in south Florida so when i say cold weather i mean in the 50's. It can happen about anytime when i start out in the morning but is more likely when it is colder. It has happened after warming up but it is rare to act up after driving several miles.

The problem is the shift lever just won't go into any gear until i move it around and try every gear position. Eventually, i can get it into some gear then i can shift it to 1st. I haven't had problems shifting into other gears once i start out. I've spent 20 or 30 seconds wiggling the shift lever around until it finally goes into some gear. That's not good when your at a busy intersection and the light turns green. The problem has always been when in 2wd and driving on city streets.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

I have the same problem. However, mine acts up in the cold weather and about every 2 to 3 weeks. All other times its fine.

I hate phantom problems!

 

i've had a few scares with it not wanting to go into second or first some mornings back in HS, i remember coming back from auto tech and i hit the school and try to down shift into first or second(depending on where i was at on the driveway) but i couldn't get it into any gear, and this guy come flying out of nowhere and just missed rearending me bc i had to stop and fiddle with it a little to get her to finally go into gear. doesn't do it all the time, just every now and then, so i have no clue why it does it, if u find out, lemme know.

 

I have heard this problem before and there doesn't seem to be a fix. Yours seems to be worse than the others, I would start with a fluid change, make sure you use the fluid recommended in your manual.

 

I couldn't help but laugh when I read this.

 

KEN00:

Are you referring to changing fluids in the transmission or the clutch hydraulic system or both?

thanks,

 

Mine does the same thing. A fluid change didn't improve the situation. I think it is just slopiness in the shifter from the components wearing down. I don't think it is the syncronizers because sometimes I can find the "sweet spot" in the shifter and it will glide right into gear. Move it just a tad to the left or right and it binds up. Otherwise I'd tend to point the finger at a worn out or sticking pilot bearing in the crankshaft is causing the input shaft to drag and turn with the motor a little bit when stopped, making it difficult to get into gear.

 

I have a similar, though not as severe thing.

Only shifting from first to second, its kinda stiff, but all the other gears shift fine.

The only time I have no problems shifting to second is when I am turning a corner as I am shifting.

Any ideas?

 

The fluid in the tranny.

 

It did not make a difference in mine -- hopefully it will in yours. Keep us posted.

I have 73K on mine and it seems to be getting worse.

 

I have 157,000k on mine. I kinda thought the fluid might be something to look at. I bought the truck used, but I have not had time to do the tranny yet.

 

Mine is also hard from 1st to 2nd when cold.If I move the shifter back up toward first then back down it usually goes right in.Its been like this ever since I remember and I got it new.

 

i think somethings hanging up, either the pilot bearing or pressure plate is dragging enough to not let the input shaft come to a stop. mine had 82,000 on it when it lost 2nd altogether, it was always hard to get into 1st at a light, but if i left it in gear i could take off right away, then going into and out of 2nd got real hard. then 2nd was noisy and vibrated, finnally as i was accelerating it just went like i had pushed the clutch or kicked it in nuetral. fluid level was good, had just changed it a year ago and checked it at every oil change, it was low on fluid when i got it. opened it up and could see signs of low oil damage. the first gear on the input shaft inside the case towards the bell housing had galling, but other than that and "metalllic" oil, couldnt see anything wrong, suspect a syncro went or seized somehow. got a rebuilt from a salvage yard for 1,100. spent about another 300 on parts like clutch kit, throwout bearing, slave cylinder (mine was oily, may have been leaking) was a real pain to do, in a unheated barn in early feb in central ohio. beleive all the horror stories about bleeding the hydralic clutch, it took me a few days to get all the air out and good pedal travel. i was almost wishing id put a C-4 back in there. changed the fluid after the first 1,000 miles as a precaution, think i will change it every year. ive got a real sloppy shifter though, think i might get the hurst shifter from jegs rather than rebuild the stock ford unit. i cant beleive this tranny went. i had a '88 that went 200,000 miles with no gearbox issues and i drove it hard at times, this truck i treat much better and it self-destructs. take off the rubber plug below where your hyd line goes into the trans and have someone press the pedal while you watch the throwout bearing travel, dont know what it should be, but if it aint pushing the fingers in real good, that might be where the problem is. good luck. Dave.

 

I have that problem with my ranger, have had a good deal of them actually. To stay on topic though mine is tough when trying to go into 1st or reverse when cold or at a stop. However if you kill the motor it slides in fine. I have been thinking its a pressure plate or throw out bearing issue since i have 50k on a 2003 model and drive in baltimore and DC traffic daily. I ask a mechanic at the dealership where my self and my father have bought many new cars and trucks and was told "Rangers are a low end pickup with quirks". Kinda sucked to hear that with all the options on my $27k truck. Also I am in the process of getting the technical service bullitens for the 03's I will post any info I find on the topic

 

As Ken has said, BE SHURE you have the specified tranny lube in there & it's at the correct level.

For instance the 99 Ranger specifies "MERCON" tranny fluid in the manual tranny, NOT GEAR OIL!!!!

I know some folks with shifting problems, that have found GEAR OIL in their's. LOL