Shifting issues

Discussion in '1993 - 1997 Ford Ranger' started by leothelyon, Mar 29, 2012.

  1. leothelyon

    leothelyon New Member

    I'm having this similar problem. Something is not allowing the stick to move into gear. Happens 20% of the time. Happens when starting out, while driving, downshifting. I have a 1990 FR manual 2.3 4 cyl. And starting out, some gear keeps spinning, grinds when I try to move stick into reverse as well.
    But I can get into any gear when I kill the engine but have to restart to be on my merry way.

    I'm thinking an EGR value failing to control idle. I realize there are safety mechanisms in place to prevent you from shifting into the wrong gear until idle is correct. I'll look into the idle sensor. Anyone know where the trans fluid stick is?

    Any help, suggestions?

    thanks Leo
     
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  3. Brinker88

    Brinker88 Black sheep o' the family

    Sounds like a slave cyl. problem my friend.
     
  4. OP
    leothelyon

    leothelyon New Member

    Thank you sir. After reading further into some "how to" articles on what you suggested, I believe you are correct. Now I'm looking forward to putting my truck up on 4 jacks, blocking up the engine with another jack on the transmission. All because the slave cylinder is located inside the tranny. I'm really not a mechanic but have braved through a couple of engine replacements on my cars to save money. I'll report back with the results.

    Thanks again, Leo
     
  5. 94Reborn

    94Reborn New Member

    Sounds like the synchros to me. The transmissions in these trucks use auto trans fluid, due to the synchros. My truck ran with gear oil for a while and ruined the synchros. Mine would have a hard time going into first, 2nd, and reverse. You had to almost force it near the end, and sometimes shut it off to slip it into first. There's no cheap fix for it, I didn't bother, I'm replacing my trans when I do my engine swap next week.

    Also there is no trans fluid stick on a manual trans. Theres a fill and drain plug, undo the fill plug and if fluid barely drips out or you can feel fluid at the top with your finger its full.
     
  6. OP
    leothelyon

    leothelyon New Member

    Thank you for the added info. Have been looking for the master reservoir and the tran dipstick. The truck still allows me to shift without killing the engine most of the time. It is the 1 2 and reverse that gives me the most problems. I'll look for those plugs, thanks again.

    Won't I need to bleed if I need to add or for opening the system?

    Leo
     
  7. 94Reborn

    94Reborn New Member

    You sound very...unsure of how your truck operates, so I would be careful working on it. But no, there is no way to bleed your transmission. I suggest you get a haynes manual for your truck.
     
  8. Brinker88

    Brinker88 Black sheep o' the family


    ;) Uh, yea there is. How else would you get all the air out of the system? There's a bleeder valve sticking out of the tranny (SLAVE CYLINDER). Honestly tho, if you dont know what you're doing, have somebody that does help you.
     
  9. 94Reborn

    94Reborn New Member

    You can bleed the CLUTCH not the transmission.
     
  10. OP
    leothelyon

    leothelyon New Member

    Hey guys, thanks for the help. I've found under the hood where I can add brake fluid dot3 for the clutch and it was 2-3 ozs short. But adding means I have a leak. Hopefully a slow one. It's a wait and see if that will do the trick. Only had to kill engine once today. Appears to be shifting a little better.

    Leo
     
  11. ....
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2012
  12. 94Reborn

    94Reborn New Member

    You don't have to be a smartass. I wasn't trying to insult anyone. The clutch is not the transmission, and we know you cannot bleed the transmission. I was making sure the original poster was aware of that, as we were talking about both the trans fluid level and the master cylinder level.
     

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