2000 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.0L Auto

So a couple months ago I had a transmission problem. It shifts high and hard all times and after the "od" light gets going (after it gets warm), the transmission slips (like riding clutch) when starting from a stop. If I went from drive to 1st gear with the selector and back, it cleared the slipping problem for a bit. I did an oil/filter change and about 50 miles later the truck is running fine, no issues. One day I hopped in it to go to work and it was like nothing ever happened. Fast forward 1,500 miles later. I start to notice the transmission is subtly shifting weird, like a small jerk when shifting. It gets worse over 50 miles and now I am back to the above problem. Is there a way this could be a sensor or solenoid problem? I never heard of a transmission correcting an issue then starting at it again so much later.

I don't like fixing or working on an issue unless I am at least 95% sure what the problem is. I also don't have $2k to plop down on a repair at the moment. Would it be worth it to take this to a dealership and see what trouble codes I am getting? I would try a transmission shop but it's not guaranteed they will have the test equipment to check a ford transmission. Also a friend said that AutoZone and other stores can't check transmission codes. So what’s the best option here?

 

you have a bad valve body gasket. it is being discussed here

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...lick-here.html

here is an article i wrote on how to fix it

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...dy_Gasket.html

 

I'm not going to be able to do this with facility and tools available. How much would a transmission shop charge to do this?

Last time I tried to get a TSB from a dealership it was like pulling teeth since I wasn't a mechanic or with another commercial business. I wish the parts/TSB's were available anywhere but a dealership.

 

actually, this fix isnt very hard and you need very limited tools. you can even do it in your driveway. the main tool needed is the INCH POUND torque wrench. you cna buy everything needed way cheaper than having someone do it. just buy a basic metric socket set. you will mainly use a 10. the most painfull thing to do this is time. if you cna change your tranny filter and fluid im confident you can do this fix. but you do need to do your research before doing the job.

THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE THAT THIS FIX WILL NOT WORK, EVEN IF A MECHANIC DOES IT..... SO DONT COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH. i basically thought of it this way, a new tranny was over $4k and the fix was like $150. i thought, hell why not try it and it worked for me. other have had problems. for the most part 80% of the people who have done it have fixed their problems. i can help you do this and you can do it. i wouldnt take it to a mechanic because doing this fix they cannon make money so they want to sell you a tranny. exactly why i did it myself. ask questions and we will help you

Matt

 

The more I think about it the more I want to do it myself. The only thing hanging me up is the fact I have to hit a dealship for the TSB. Last couple of times they wouldn't give them to me and stated I needed to be with a mechanic shop or "approved" to get them (for my old truck). I might try again when i get the chance.

 

thats utter crap. you need some parts. hell, you just need the parts i used. my truck is also a 2000 3.0 4x4 auto. didnt i list the parts i used in the article. this could eliminate the need for them to look it up, you can just purchase the parts by the number

Matt

 

Maybe they just didn't feel like looking up what I was asking for since I didn't have the part numbers. This was back six years ago when I was fixing a known issue on an 86' F-150. I asked for a certain part that I didn't know the name of but knew what it did. They gave me the run around and then told me it was a dealer/mechanic only part at the end. I guess I haven't been back to a dealership for parts since then.

I'll give it a try on my next day off. Looks like the only tool I will need is the inch-pound wrench. A garage would be nice but ohh well.

 

So you like the feel of gravel digging in your back eh? lol. You'll fit in quite nicely around here. Just the kind of fella this forums lookin' for. The tech thread shows nice pics of the procedure and some things to look our for. Don't be scared of the procedure because the dealer tells you to. Haynes manual says there's no serviceable parts in the automatic tranny. The guys here put that one to rest.

 

I have never had a problem with getting a tsb from the Ford dealers here. They are just jerking you around. Aren't some of these posted here.

 

Mfgr technical service bulletins are not generated for the customer's use. They are for experienced technical people. If the dealership is lenient fine, but they are not required to give them out on demand. The company I worked for finally notated each bulletin as a confidential, and each service station that gave them to a customer would have his service authorization cancelled. Too many legal issues. jd

 

So basicly I just walk in there and say "Could I get TSB replacement kt3l5p-7m203-ja and the seperator plate?" Sorry if I sound noobish but every experience I've had with dealers have been bad ones and I usually avoid them at all costs. I found a few TSB numbers from autozone.com and a couple I wouldn't mind getting since they are problems I currently have.

 

Just check the tsb out here; https://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/tsb.php/m-FORD

 

Do y'all know we have Ford Dealer Parts Department sponsors here on FTE? Contact FTE sponsor DIRECTFORDPARTS by using the sponsor link above, or call Gaudin Ford in Las Vegas and ask for Kevin. It's possible to have a TSB faxed to you. (If you don't see DirectFordParts listed above, click on the refresh button till it comes up).

 

I'm not going to able to do anything until a week from Thursday but I will try some of the local dealers next week.

I guess I misunderstood what an actual TSB was. I was always told it was a piece of paper that showed how to repair or maintain a certain item. When I ask for one of these at the dealership, do they include the parts that is associated with that instructions? The reason I ask is the insturctions posted above don't list the parts that are shown being replaced (ie blow off valve). Sorry for the noob questions but I never had to deal with TSB's except my time I tried getting one.

 

anyone? Also I called a couple local dealerships and they told me I can't get the TSB's through them.