Ranger tranny issues
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Ranger tranny issues
Hey Everyone, I come here to seek help for my tranny as a last resort. The ford Dealer is greedy and I've done everything i can to the best of my mechanical ability.
Here's the skinny, My Truck is a 1998 Ford Ranger 2.5L Auto OD. The tranny is similar to the A4LDs used in earlier model Rangers but I don't know the specific model number Ford used after the A4LDs in Rangers.
Some years ago during a harsh winter here in Ohio, I ran over a patch of black ice and put my truck into a concrete barrier on accident. My truck was in the way of moving traffic so while trying to free myself from the snow, I fried my tranny on accident and had to have it rebuilt along with a front clip off a 2000 Ranger.
Fitzgerald's Body Shop rebuilt my tranny for me but they did a mediocre job.
I took it back to them twice and they had it shifting to the best they knew how so i lived with it.
Well now here in 2007 up until a few weeks ago while on my lunch break from work, my tranny started shifting late and harsh. This is when all hell broke loose. I checked the fluid and it was red, smelled normal and just under the full line.
I started off by changing the tranny filter and pan gasket hoping this would help and it didn't. I'm no tranny expert so anything beyond a filter change and pan gasket is all german to me.
Then the engine started acting up, stalling, missing etc... To keep this thread somewhat in a nutshell this is what I've done to the truck thus far and nothing has helped.
Fresh tune up with Motorcraft plugs and wires
New fuel filter from Ford
New catalytic converter
And of course the tranny filter, replaced fluid with Amsoil ATF
As of now, the engine is running somewhat better and tranny is still severly acting up. It slips badly and won't hold OD for long. It will engage into OD but only for about 30 seconds then downshift into 3rd. In first gear, it won't shift out until about 30mph @ 4000RPM then very harshly shift into 2nd. Does the same with 2nd - 3rd but not as severe. Reverse is very harsh as well.
There is no Check Engine light and no codes. No vaccum leaks, and all wiring harnesses look good. At this point I am stumped, I've already spent more than anticipated on my truck and I refuse to do another rebuild or swap trannies. Truck just isn't worth it. What do you pros think? time for another rebuild or is there something I can do to fix this? A new truck is out of the question, funds just aren't there. -Mike-
Here's the skinny, My Truck is a 1998 Ford Ranger 2.5L Auto OD. The tranny is similar to the A4LDs used in earlier model Rangers but I don't know the specific model number Ford used after the A4LDs in Rangers.
Some years ago during a harsh winter here in Ohio, I ran over a patch of black ice and put my truck into a concrete barrier on accident. My truck was in the way of moving traffic so while trying to free myself from the snow, I fried my tranny on accident and had to have it rebuilt along with a front clip off a 2000 Ranger.
Fitzgerald's Body Shop rebuilt my tranny for me but they did a mediocre job.
I took it back to them twice and they had it shifting to the best they knew how so i lived with it.
Well now here in 2007 up until a few weeks ago while on my lunch break from work, my tranny started shifting late and harsh. This is when all hell broke loose. I checked the fluid and it was red, smelled normal and just under the full line.
I started off by changing the tranny filter and pan gasket hoping this would help and it didn't. I'm no tranny expert so anything beyond a filter change and pan gasket is all german to me.
Then the engine started acting up, stalling, missing etc... To keep this thread somewhat in a nutshell this is what I've done to the truck thus far and nothing has helped.
Fresh tune up with Motorcraft plugs and wires
New fuel filter from Ford
New catalytic converter
And of course the tranny filter, replaced fluid with Amsoil ATF
As of now, the engine is running somewhat better and tranny is still severly acting up. It slips badly and won't hold OD for long. It will engage into OD but only for about 30 seconds then downshift into 3rd. In first gear, it won't shift out until about 30mph @ 4000RPM then very harshly shift into 2nd. Does the same with 2nd - 3rd but not as severe. Reverse is very harsh as well.
There is no Check Engine light and no codes. No vaccum leaks, and all wiring harnesses look good. At this point I am stumped, I've already spent more than anticipated on my truck and I refuse to do another rebuild or swap trannies. Truck just isn't worth it. What do you pros think? time for another rebuild or is there something I can do to fix this? A new truck is out of the question, funds just aren't there. -Mike-
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
I'm no expert on trannys so here goes. The TRS (trans range selector) will cause the tranny and engine to act up at the same time. It's on the driverside of the tranny, the shift cable is hooked to it. Like I said I'm no expert and I'm not even sure you have one but it's worth checking into.
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Hey Jim, thanks for the reply! I can go out and take a gander at it. I know what your talking about, it's externally mounted on the tranny with a metal shift cable hooked to it.
Also, some of my buddies have been telling me about a speed sensor that could be going out. Is this something I can look into myself? where is it located? -Mike-
Also, some of my buddies have been telling me about a speed sensor that could be going out. Is this something I can look into myself? where is it located? -Mike-
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
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From: MICHIGAN
VSS Vehicle speed sensor is located on top of the differential or on the side of the tailshaft of the tranny. It can cause shifting trouble like your friends said. It usually throws a code tho.
There isn't much you can do with the TRS unless you have a repair manual. Check all the electrical connectors on the trans while you are under there. Unplug em and look at the pins and sockets. Corrosion or loose connections will cause trouble too.
There isn't much you can do with the TRS unless you have a repair manual. Check all the electrical connectors on the trans while you are under there. Unplug em and look at the pins and sockets. Corrosion or loose connections will cause trouble too.
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merlynr, no offense man but i'm not big on additives. I just think there a bandaid to a problem. Not mad or anything just my $.02 about them.
I checked out the VSS, unplugged it and went around the block. Tranny wouldn't shift out first and obviously the speedometer didn't work.
I'm starting to have 2nd thoughts that it could be my TRS. How much does one usually cost? -Mike-
I checked out the VSS, unplugged it and went around the block. Tranny wouldn't shift out first and obviously the speedometer didn't work.
I'm starting to have 2nd thoughts that it could be my TRS. How much does one usually cost? -Mike-
