HAve a 1998 Ranger XLT, 4x4 with a automatic transmission 4-speed. Having problems with the transmission having a harsh shift to 1st when starting out. So need some idea what could do this, I have a couple of ideas and just need some verifacation or maybe the answer, also am a little lazy so anybody know which transmission it is?

To be quite honest, Ranger automatics suck when they get to be high mileage. Harsh shifts at higher mileage are to be expected, due to a few parts that wear out, and due to the possibility of poor transmission maintenance. How many miles are on the truck? Is it just going into D, or is it going into second gear? Is the O/D Off light flashing?

i have the same problem on mine,it will only drive to the "D" when there is no load,meaning i jacked the rear of my truck and let it float and spin,but when i lower it to the ground it wont move, i had it rebuilt just sharing

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1997 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 2WD

Nothing special lol,

I was having hard shifts before and i was soooooo pissed i thought it was trans. Turned out to be the TPS.

My .02

Have about 200,000 mile on the truck, O/D light does not flash, trouble going into just 1st gear when starting out. Do change the tranny filter, but it has been a while and plan to change it this weekend. After the truck gets moving the changing of the gears is fine. But on hills when I have to stop it'll be a harsh engagment to get going again and it may take 2-3 harsh engagments for the truck to get going. Also not sure it has anything to do with the transmission, but after putting my truck in 4 wheel drive and out again the 4x4 and 2x4 indicators lights flash four times frequently.
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Oh, forget, what is the TPS?

throttle position sensor. My problem was only engaging in first and reverse as well. Big clunk and jump when i dropped into drive and when when id start moving.

your CEL on?

If your 4x4 and 4x2 lights are flashing, you got something wrong with your 4x4 system. There's a good chance your T-Case motor could be messed up. There should be a code stored, but you'll need to find a more advanced scanner to scan it, since that code is under the Transmission Control Unit, and can't be accessed by an Autozone scanner. Whatever problem your T-Case may be having could be causing the symptoms you're experiencing.

Had not thought about the 4x4 system, i had assumed that the vaccum system was responsible for the flashing lights--but I'll have it checked out. same issue about 1st and reverse the clunk and jump is there.

I'm wondering if something is binding, like you're still stuck in 4x4, and there's some kind of resistance or something.

One thing I do know, vacuum hubs suck.lol.

5r55e ftl!

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YZ the way to be!
The Brotherhood!

Mods to come: Camburg entry 6.0 system. FiberwerkX Fenders and bedsides. Tube bumper.
R.I.P. Jeff Ashton. 1992-2011

Fixed for accuracy.

i had to replace my tps last week and it was causin hard shiftin. does it run higher rpms that it usually does?

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2002 Ranger Xlt Ext. Fx4
Mods: AEM Brute Force air intake, Throttle body spacer, dual exhaust, leveling kit, 3in body lift, 15x8 black pacer rims wrapped with 33x12.5xr15 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs, Hella 500 offroad lights, cobra cb with wilson 1000 antenna, Sony head unit, 500 watt amp with 12inch sub.

yeah mine eventually stopped shifting alltogether along with the other problems and it was the TPS. Actually it caused a no start condition at times as well.

Its weird, wouldnt think that little plastic thing that senses how engaged the throttle is could do all that.

Id really check out the TPS its cheap, and it sounds like it could be your issue.

That'll be great if it is the TPS. I'll check it out first.

JUST GET A 5 SPEED all you have to worry about then is the clutch going out haha

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1994 Ford Ranger 4.0L 5 speed 4wd
2009 Ford f150 4x4 v8
traded 2009 Mercury Mariner 2.5L I4 FWD
Sold:1996 Ford F150 4x4 300 6cyl 5 speed
Traded: 2003 Ford Ranger XLT Auto 3.0L V6 Flex fuel Extended Cab 2WD