I'm new to the forum, and I'd really appreciate anyone's addvice on the following problem with my Ranger. I own a 96 Ranger STX Ext.Cab 4x4 4.0, with 145,000 miles on it. I've been the only owner, and followed the maintenance schedule almost religiously since I bought it. I recently did a tune up which included new plugs, wires, pcv valve, air filter, fuel filter, and a cooling system flush. Shortly after completeing the tune up, I started getting a check engine light on he way to work, I stopped by the local Autozone to check the codes, and the only this that came back was a emissions control/EGR valve code error. I put one on order. The next day, on the way to work my OD light began flashing on my dash, and my tranny was shifting harder than ever, but when the did the code check nothing came back on the tranny? It has in the past shifted a little rough on occasion, but intermittently at best. Now it was shifting very late, both up and down in 1st and 2nd gears ( 4sp Auto ), and making a grinding noise in the process. I was about 8k overdue for a filter change, checked the fluid at temp., it was a little darker red than normal, but still within healthy range on the dipstick, so I dropped the pan that night and did a filter/fluid/and gasket change. After putting everything back together, I checked the fluid after warming up the engine, and went to take it for a quick test drive - and got nothing! No reverse, no drive, I can sift the tranny through all it's gears and not feel any grabbing at all to hint at it even trying to locate a gear?? The odd thing is after starting the truck now follwing the tranny problems, the engine races to 2500 to 3000 rpm's for a good 30 sec. before kicking down, and then goes so low that it barely is keeping itself running at 500-600 rpm?? I tried checking for vacuum leaks and couldn't locate anything at the time. It's been a great truck, and I'm at a loss on what the problem may be??? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, my wife and I are both in school, and on a shoestring budget - so I end up having to do most the work myself these days.

 

Are you 100% sure that at this time the tranny fluid is at the correct level? Did you use the recommended fluid for the tranny? Did you compare the old filter against the new one as well as any gasket for such filter to ensure that they were the same? Have you looked around underneath in the tranny area to make sure nothing was accidently removed or disturbed?

 

...I'm pretty sure, but I'll double check everything again. This is my third time changing the filter and fluid on this truck ( the first two times were done be the dealership ). I used the same filter and fluid I have used in the past - Mercon and a Fram filter and gasket. I'll check around the tranny and make sure nothing came loose? I'll let you know. Could the VSS sensor be the problem? And if it is out - would it really make the tranny not shift at all? Thanks again - Ryan/Boise, Id.

 

Double checked everything again tonight, the filter and automatic trans fliud were the right ones. And from what I can see nothing has been disconnected or damaged. I started my truck up after checking it - and did get it to finally start shifting - the only problem is - after I move the gear selector on the column, it takes it a good 20-30 seconds before you feel it finally " grab " or move into gear. Even then it's not enough to move the truck, step on the gas, and I can watch the rpms climb with little or no movement of the truck. Once it gets into the gear I selected, I can still hear a pulsing noise coming from the tranny, the pulsing is so strong, you can feel it in the cab?? The engine is still idling at a higher rpm than normal - Any other ideas would be really appreciated - thanks again.

 

It sounds like the front pump is crapping out which means it needs an overhaul. At almost 150k your on borrowed time on a tranny anyways. I've always been told by my freinds dad (a ford trans specialist for the last 20 years) to change the trans fluid and filter every 20-25k and it's a lot butter on the trans. Also a large cooler is a good idea too.
I recomend to you, go to an AAMCO so some other reputable trans shop and get a free diagnosis before you decide to pull it apart.

 

Thanks Jim - when you say overhaul - are you talking complete rebuild? I worked on it the better part of the night and today. It will finally recognize the gears with the column shifter, and the pulsing has subsided a fair amount. When it grabs a gear though, it's weak at best, just enough to get the truck moving at about 10mph, even when pushing on the throttle taking the rpms to 2000. And on two of the attempts, after I put it into drive, and started moving forward, it kicked me back into neutral on its own and started flashing the overdrive light in the process? I know I'm in for a trip to the dealership/tranny shop, I'm just trying to get as much information together as possible from people who might have been through this, so I can make sure I don't end up having a bunch of work that doesn't need to be done to get it back on the road $$$ - I've had the truck for 10 years - and still love driving it - my wife and I are beyond strapped with school right now, so if there is work I can do on my own - I'm trying like crazy to figure this thing out without breaking the back. Jim and Cowboybilly - thanks again for the advice - any other ideas you can throw my way would be greatly appreciated. Have a good one. Ryan/Boise, Id.

 

I like to save money too by doing my own work, but theres 2 things i wont touch, auto tranmissions and rear ends. I've overhauled engines, rewired, rebuilt A/C systems but transmissions are a huge can of worms. If it does end up needing an overhaul which if theres an internal problem with anything in there it usually takes out other parts in the trans as well, i would take on the task of pulling it out and putting it in again and that will save you around $150, but like i said before take it to a shop and get a free diag. I would have for you to spend $1000-$2000 if it's only a $50 sensor thats giving you a problem.