Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #31  
Old 11-28-2014, 11:58 AM
beau-tech beau-tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 44
Default Re: Automatic goes out of gear

I am having the same symptoms with my 2002 4x4, 4.0L Ranger. This truck is new to me (June 20, 2014). I have been doing initial maintenance to start a history. I don't know the previous owner.

I changed the filter & what fluid drained out during the process. Was disappointed that it was only 3+ quarts. Because of this I did the fluid change procedure by disconnecting the return line from the external cooler. Both processes went well. The fluid seemed normal color and smell. I made sure that the new filter matched the existing and paid attention to the O-rings (thanks to the info on this site).

Here's a time line:

Aug 10: trans filter & fluid, only three qts. changed. Trans performs good, no major improvement.

1st week Nov: first neutral incident at friends body shop while they were moving it. Temp above 40 degrees.

Nov 23: Fluid change via return line. 9 qts. No improvement 1st, 2nd, 3rd. 4th, 5th seem to come in about 5 mph sooner. I don't know what point is the converter lock-up.

Nov 24: Second neutral incident. Approx. 38 degrees.

Nov 27: Third neutral incident. Approx. 31 degrees.

Colder weather has made the 1-2 gear shift lazier, gets better as trans warms up. After a neutral incident the trans works good for the rest of the day. Truck is parked on level ground mainly. I just checked fluid level cold/ non-running and it is about 1/2" above hatching. After driving and getting hot, running, level is top of hatching (kind of hard to see, just going off of shiny film area). I did the lower gear hold test and it held up 3000 rpm.

I always run the truck for 2+minutes or come off high idle before driving. Below 20 degrees 5+ minutes or longer depending on temperature. I'll watch this thread and update any activity that I do have.

Last edited by beau-tech; 11-28-2014 at 12:01 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 11-28-2014, 12:04 PM
Savage03 Savage03 is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 702
Default Re: Automatic goes out of gear

Wish I had something to add but not really, I did however add some trans x and so far it hasn't done it again maybe been a week now.
Seems yours is pretty same symptoms. I was told by another member he had similar issue and it was his valve body gaskets, I watched a video on how to do this and not so sure I had the stones to pull that off lol.
Video if you wanna see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilYm...8&spfreload=10
__________________
Yellow 2001 Ford Ranger Edge 4x4 Ext. cab, 4.0 Automatic, Rancho Shocks, OHC w/buggman leds, mustang dome, Pioneer AVH-X4700BS, Hertz components up front,Rockford fosgate in the rear doors,Sony XM-GS400 4ch Amp, Sony XM-GS-100 Mono Amp. Line-x
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 12-15-2014, 02:33 PM
Savage03 Savage03 is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 702
Default Re: Automatic goes out of gear

To update a little, after putting in some trans x stuff it hasn't had a issue for maybe couple months now till yesterday Then today I went to put it in 4wd(something that doesn't get used really) and it wont engage it, I have the dial shifter and I get no dash light but I get them when I first start the truck.
This is beyond annoying!
__________________
Yellow 2001 Ford Ranger Edge 4x4 Ext. cab, 4.0 Automatic, Rancho Shocks, OHC w/buggman leds, mustang dome, Pioneer AVH-X4700BS, Hertz components up front,Rockford fosgate in the rear doors,Sony XM-GS400 4ch Amp, Sony XM-GS-100 Mono Amp. Line-x
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 11-16-2018, 12:39 PM
beau-tech beau-tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 44
Default Re: Automatic goes out of gear

Over the years the cold functioning condition has got worse. It would act-up in warmer temperatures (40*f). I have seen the info regarding the valve body gaskets so I ordered a set and replace them. Bingo!!

Only a week since the repair it has been working well in cold weather start up. Low 20's temperature and the trans works well. No neutral events, shifts 1-2 much better, and engages forward / reverse quicker. No differences warmed-up, performs well just like before.
__________________
2002 4x4 (2nd go around )

Previous Owned New: 1983, 2000, 2002
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 11-16-2018, 03:01 PM
nelbur nelbur is offline
Ford Motor Co
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 161
Default Re: Automatic goes out of gear

It sounds like low fluid level to me. Did you add extra fluid like transman suggested in message #6?
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 11-17-2018, 07:16 AM
beau-tech beau-tech is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 44
Default Re: Automatic goes out of gear

I did the fluid change by pumping it out at the external cooler line connection. Made no difference. I tried over filling and made no difference. No doubt the valve body gaskets made a change. Also, there were no signs of damaged gasket(s). I had seen on the web some gaskets that had areas that were blown-out/ damaged.
__________________
2002 4x4 (2nd go around )

Previous Owned New: 1983, 2000, 2002
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
04 Ranger, automatic, 3rd gear missing, what to do? drb713 Drivetrain Tech 5 06-03-2014 11:54 PM
Automatic Gear Selector Issues jon.svoboda General Tech 15 03-26-2014 11:28 AM
When would you use 1st and 2nd gear automatic romian Drivetrain Tech 21 03-23-2014 09:17 AM
Automatic ranger stuck in first gear? ranger up 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 18 04-10-2013 05:31 PM
automatic transmission Gear Indicator devildog6280 General Tech 7 09-18-2012 03:17 AM