Hi, I have leaned on you guys before.. I have a problem and hope you can help me.

I have a 99 Ranger 2WD, Automatic, 6 cylinder. It is the flex fuel series truck. Out of nowhere, just the other day, I am driving around town and it starts to hammer into second gear from every takeoff... I start off, it is in first gear, and then when it shiftfs into second it is almost chirping the rear tires. Never before.

It keeps this up and later that day the speedometer stops registering, the overdrive off light starts flashing, and the ABS light comes on. This has all stayed the same since.

An hour later I notice that when I am up to highway speeds, only at times, the speedo needle starts jumping back and forth and then the trans starts acting as if it is slipping badly or has been thrown to neutral. This condition occurs for about 5 minutes at a time and will do it 3 times in a 30 minute ride. I have checked trans fluid.. it is level and has no burn smell.

I found a vacume hose disconnected and thought maybe I was onto something but no. I also hand checked all electrical connections to the transmission. I have disconnected the positive battery cable for a while, reconnect and no difference.

I took it to advance auto and they found no trouble codes. Check engine is not lit.

man o man... anyone have a suggestion? Thanks in advance.

 

I'am no expert but it sounds like it might be the speed sensor on the pumpkin. But I hope someone with more knowledge will jump in. Good luck. Tim

 

I agree, sounds like speed sensor. its cheap and easy to do. So it might be worth throwing the part at it to see if it solves to problem. I did a writeup on it that is around here somewhere...just not sure where! Check the tech section.

If that does not solve it there may be an internal transmission problem. Most autozone scanners cannot do transmission codes, so there may be something there that they could not read.

 

VSS sensor on rear axle would be the first place to start, then the PSOM in the inst. cluster.......................But first, pull the codes before throwing parts at it!

 

Sounds good. I will plan to just stick a VSS sensor on the rear today as long as I can get ahold of one and it doesnt cost me a fortune. I never would have thought of that at all. Many Thanks.

I assumed that Advance Auto would be able to get the codes.. but aparently not. How would I get the proper code for what it's doing? I assume it has to be connected to a handheld while driving it. Is this a dealer only thing?

Continued Thanks,

John

 

I noticed you mentioned you reset the computer by pulling the battery cable. If you did have a code, that would have made it go away shortly.

Either just drive it until a CEL comes on, or go ahead and try a speed sensor in the meantime and hope for the best.

 

I agree with the guys, it sounds like the rear ABS speed sensor, or it's wiring has corrupted it's PID signal to the computer.

Read through this thread for some other possibilities & troubleshooting ideas & let us know what you find.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post6974518

 

Now here's why this site is the best. You guys were right on. I promise I would have never thought of that causing the issues.

I replaced it. Disconnected the positive batt cable just for the heck of it. Reconnected, Drove it and noticed the abs light was now out and speedo working again right away.

The hard shifting is now gone. No more un-manned neutral drops at 65 mph. Seems to be running real good.

For some reason the airbag light in the cluster is lit now but thats a nothing... my truck runs again. If I get caught up I will search here and see if there is a post regarding that.

THANK YOU ALL for the help! $15 repair.

 

hell yeah! Glad that worked out!

 

OK, good find fix & feedback & to hear your "on the road again"!!!!

My repairs never seem to be so simple or low cost.