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  #1  
Old 12-31-2009, 01:43 AM
kbiz kbiz is offline
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Default help transmission shift problems!!

I recently got a 95 Ranger 4.0 xlt auto with about 180000 miles on it. the truck was well maintained by its previous owner and runs very smooth.the only problem I have is with the transmission shifts.everytime i shift from park to drive,the truck jerks very hard and also found that 1st to 2nd gear shifts are very harsh especially when crusing at low speeds.when i start off fast the revs will go way up before it shifts to 2nd and 3rd gear respectively.i checked the trans fluid level and its all ok and all other fluids are good too.im very frustrated at this point cos i cant think of getting a new tranny right now,cos am broke.if anyone has any solutions to this please help me out.thanx
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  #2  
Old 12-31-2009, 02:46 AM
davidjsouth davidjsouth is offline
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It might be simpler then that. I have a similar problem with my Dodge Caravan. It has something to do with the selonoid on the transmission of telling it when to shift into 2nd. So it may actually be something electrical. Have it checked out. A few hundred dollars isn't a bad expense if you're going to run the truck for a while.

That's not word for word of what my friend who's a mechanic told me but something similar.
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  #3  
Old 12-31-2009, 03:09 AM
Jp7 Jp7 is offline
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You can check the transmission out yourself. If it's throwing codes they will be very useful. Probably in the 600-700 POXXX range. I fixed a broken solenoid on an explorer the other night with a very similar problem for only 75$ in parts.
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Old 01-07-2010, 12:32 AM
kbiz kbiz is offline
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thanks so much for the response guys.il get to asap,id better fix it now than get a new tranny later!!thanx
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  #5  
Old 01-27-2010, 05:41 PM
vegabrother vegabrother is offline
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I had the same problem with my 95 Bronco. If the speedometer is not working as well, then it is just a fuse. There is a fuse that runs the speedometer and the shift indicator, if that blows then it will shift really hard. The guy I bought it from thought it needed a transmission, I fixed it for less than $1.00.
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  #6  
Old 01-29-2010, 12:31 PM
clawsonj clawsonj is offline
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yeah check the speed sensor as they said, my tahoe was doing the same thing so i paid 1800 for a rebuilt one, put the stock speed sensor in and it kept acting screwed up, so i changed it out and the guy who was rebuilding mine said it was fine so he gave me my money back and just kept mine
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Old 01-29-2010, 12:33 PM
clawsonj clawsonj is offline
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just realized this thread was almost 3 weeks old lol
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  #8  
Old 04-26-2010, 01:49 AM
knarf knarf is offline
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Default Re: help transmission shift problems!!

Don't matter how old. its still good info. I'm having a similar problem. Have to let up on the gas to shift to second. Where is this shift silonoid located on the tranny? internal or external? Sounds like that may be the answer. Thanks for all and any info.
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  #9  
Old 04-26-2010, 03:33 AM
Dantforth Dantforth is offline
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Default Re: help transmission shift problems!!

I had a very similar problem. I unhooked the computer for ten minutes and when I plugged it back in the transmission shifted the way it should. These new T's are computer / electrically controlled. Dave
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  #10  
Old 05-08-2010, 11:11 AM
94 Ranger 94 Ranger is offline
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Default Re: help transmission shift problems!!

could be the transmission modulator just changed my out and it shifts smooth and nice. i was having that trouble and then it got worse and the tranny fluid started dumping into my oil so i wood check out the modulator that goes on the side of the tranny try that out
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  #11  
Old 05-10-2010, 02:56 AM
knarf knarf is offline
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Default Re: help transmission shift problems!!

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Originally Posted by 94 Ranger View Post
could be the transmission modulator just changed my out and it shifts smooth and nice. i was having that trouble and then it got worse and the tranny fluid started dumping into my oil so i wood check out the modulator that goes on the side of the tranny try that out
Thanks. I will see if I can find it on mine, however, I have a 2002 Ranger and am not sure if my tranny has a modulator. One of my (few fries short of a happy meal) neighbors told me that my tranny shifting is controlled by the Engine Control Module (ECM). I have a model 5R44E Transmission with 3.0 engine. Is yours the same? If so, where should I look for it on mine and is it connected to a wire or a vacuum hose?
Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm gonna try and crawl under it tomorrow if it don't rain. If/when I find the fix, I'll post it so maybe it will help someone else with the same/similar problem.
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  #12  
Old 06-03-2010, 11:32 AM
Ragewizard Ragewizard is offline
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Default Re: help transmission shift problems!!

Hey everybody, new to the site, and the problems described in this thread are almost exactly what is going on with my 1993 Ranger XLT 4.0 with automatic transmission.
I used to just take the truck to the service center for repair, but now that I am unemployed, I think I will try it out myself. The truck was going along fine until today, and now al of a sudden, it doesn't want to shift out of first gear by itself. If I put the truck in D2 and run it up to around 35 MPH, and then shift back to over drive, the truck may shift into crusing gear, and it may not.

This transmission modulator sounds like something I should try before taking it to the repair shop. So before I go all through the internets trying to find the location of this part, does anyone know where it is located on the truck. I was already on the autoparts store site and the part is only like 30 bucks, and doesn't look that complicated to install. Am I right, or is it a nightmare not to be tackled by a novice repair person without too much experience. I do possess maintenance skills however, just not with this vehicle.
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  #13  
Old 06-04-2010, 06:20 PM
94 Ranger 94 Ranger is offline
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Default Re: help transmission shift problems!!

the modulator is on the side of the tranny like top side. its one bolt rip out then replace with new one slip in then hook up the vaccum line. its maybi a 15 min. job and it should be shifting better from the start.
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  #14  
Old 06-06-2010, 10:01 PM
cacher cacher is offline
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Default Re: help transmission shift problems!!

Interesting thread I was wondering if its time to pull the drain plug n refill my 5 speed. I havent touched it since bought it in 2002, and it now has 187,000 mile son it. I wa wondering if changing teh fluid would make shifting easier, not that it doesnt shift, but it would be nce ot shift smoothly, lol. is the procedure still the same? Pull te plug, drain, and refill fro the top where shifter attaches? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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  #15  
Old 06-06-2010, 11:41 PM
knarf knarf is offline
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Default Re: help transmission shift problems!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by cacher View Post
Interesting thread I was wondering if its time to pull the drain plug n refill my 5 speed. I havent touched it since bought it in 2002, and it now has 187,000 mile son it. I wa wondering if changing teh fluid would make shifting easier, not that it doesnt shift, but it would be nce ot shift smoothly, lol. is the procedure still the same? Pull te plug, drain, and refill fro the top where shifter attaches? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Sounds like you are referring to a manual transmission with a clutch. The above threads are referencing a 5 speed automatic transmission, however, the drain/fill plug should be located on the side of your manual transmission. Park on a level area, place a pan under the drain plug and remove the plug. Some oil may pour out when you remove the plug. If not, it is probably low. Stick your pinkey finger in the hole and feel for oil. Fill till it runs out the hole and install plug. Otherwise, use a turkey baster to remove as much old oil as you can then refill through the same plug using the recommended weight oil for your transmission (refer to owners manual)(usually 90 weight) until it pours from the hole. Inspect and reinstall the plug. Test drive.
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