I have a 93 Ranger 4X4 ,with an automatic trans , about 3 years ago I had it rebuilt at Tidricks in Yakima Wa ,when I got it back it was very slow engaging in reverse ,the said that was normal ,it got worse ,I took it back it cost $ 70 no improvement a year later I took it back again $ 80 ,they screwed up the forward shift ,BBB says too bad !!!
Anyway has anyone had shifting into reverse problems ,colder it gets the worse it is ,sometimes taking several minutes to engage ,any help would be appreciated

 

So how much did your rebuild cost and what was the problem it was rebuilt for? This should be an A4LD. Your problem is consistant with a leaking O-ring on the low/reverse servo. These all go bad in A4LD's. When the transmission is rebuilt, this is replaced with a new style double lip type. That is, if the transmission was really rebuilt. These are quite easy to replace and they should have known enough to replace it on one of the other visits. You should also have a problem with engine braking on a hill when you put it in manual (1) low.

 

thanks for the response ,it cost $1600 ,the torque converter locked up and wouldn't release ,I noticed that going down hill in low which I do frequently ,it surges ,almost like the engine dies out and comes back.The last time I took it in they had it 4 days and couldn't figure out the problem ,but screwed up the forward shift pattern when cold ,cost me another $ 80

 

In manual low down a hill the engine should tach up to 2-3K without your foot on the gas or brake. I don't understand surging unless it hlds then slipps. The reason I asked about the rebuild is that an overdrive problem (very common)can be fixed in kess than an hour once the transmission is out of the vehicle. Sometimes only a repair is done on a cheap rebuild and not all new seals are installed. It is a shame about all the poor rebuilds I have heard about. In my own case, I found 5 mistakes the last rebuilder did when I rebuilt my own A4LD. This transmission is so easy to work on. I've written a couple of articles on how to rebuild them. So did the reverse ever work?

 

worked great before the rebuild and works fair in the summer

 

Here is an initial draft of an article I am writing. There are parts that serve multiple functions. Any problem in reverse should alsom likely show up in 1st or 3rd. I would pull the pan and look for loose bolts on the valve bosy that could cause a leak and drop the low/reverse servo piston. Since this was rebuilt and looked at several times, an offhand wild guess is that the reverse band was not properly seated when it was rebuilt. This is neaely one of the first parts that goes into the very back of the transmission. It seems you were dealing with people who were beyond the average sleeze *****. Other than telling you how to rebuild this transmission, there is not much that can be done. They are quite easy to work on once they are out of the car.

So what's wrong with my A4LD?
There are eight major mechanical "clutch" components in the 91-94 A4LD. There are three bands (overdrive, intermediate & low/reverse), three clutches (overdrive, reverse/high,& forward), and two one way clutches (overdrive & rear). The following simple tests can begin to isolate the problem. Prior to performing these tests, check for correct transmission fluid levels when the engine is warm. Look for discolored fluid with a burnt odor.
1. Does the vehicle move with the shift lever in reverse? This tests the overdrive clutch, overdrive one way clutch, reverse/high clutch, and the low/reverse band. This is a primary a test for Low/Reverse band. If yes, continue.
2. Does the vehicle move with the shift lever in manual low (1) position. This tests the overdrive clutch, overdrive one way clutch, forward clutch, low reverse band, and the rear one way clutch. This is a primary a test for Forward clutch. If yes, continue.
3. Does the vehicle move with the shift lever in manual second (2). This tests the overdrive clutch, overdrive one way clutch, intermediate band, and the forward clutch. This is a primary a test for Intermediate band. If yes, continue.
4. Find a fairly steep hill and point the vehicle in a downward direction. Place the vehicle in manual low(1). Remove your foot from the brake and do not touch the gas pedal. Allow the vehicle to accelerate on it's own. There should be significant engine braking as indicated by the tach going to 2-3K. This is the primary a test for Low/Reverse band servo leakage. If yes, continue.