shifting issue, manual trans

hollywoodTRBroz · #1 10-28-2011, 03:48 PM

Lately ive been having a problem with my truck not wanting to go into gear. it doesnt do it all the time more at random than anything else. it does it for a little while, then shifts fine later on in the day. doesnt seem to matter if the engine is cold or hot, does it at both. I mainly notice it when shifting into first or second, especially from a stop. i pretty much have to lean on the shifter to get it to go into gear. Ive done some research on the site and some people have said that the slave cylinder can cause allot of these problems, is this a common problems for standard rangers?

1994Ranger4x4 · #2 10-31-2011, 07:21 AM

My 94' is doin the same exact thing... I'm curious what it is also.

MUDFLAP · #3 10-31-2011, 07:40 AM

I make 3. Going into 2nd is like trying to make a Redwood Tree bend in half.

How does it feel when the truck is turned off and you put it in 1st without the clutch in? Like if you where parking the truck. Does it go in smooth or does it stick?

1994Ranger4x4 · #4 10-31-2011, 09:39 AM

idk i dont do that i use the clutch when putting it in.

rotax7 · #5 10-31-2011, 11:52 AM

Hey I have very similar issue to this.
With 2nd gear.
Its random/occasional issue. Sometimes shifts fine.

Today, when it was cold this morning, I noticed 2nd gear making more "noise" than other gears.
Not grinding, just noise while in gear, and driving along..
Also some noise in 4th, just not as loud.

This went away when it warmed up..

Nibis · #6 10-31-2011, 11:55 AM

Tyr bleeding the hyrdrulic clutch system.

hollywoodTRBroz · #7 10-31-2011, 12:17 PM

when the truck is turned off i dont have a problem. only when its running i have the problem occasionally. most of the time its fine, but once it starts it sticks around for a while unless i stop driving for an hour or so. the truck only has 65k miles, so i wouldnt think that it shouldnt have too many problems or anything

marka67 · #8 11-01-2011, 09:09 AM

Have the same problem shifting into 2nd gear. And when i shut truck off and putting it into first gear. Thought maybe it was the clutch since it hasn't been replaced and has 166,000 miles on it . 2000 ford ranger xlt

JGiddy · #9 11-01-2011, 10:34 AM

I have this issue too though only first thing in the morning when its cold and the engine's still cold. Its tough to get it into 1st and reverse, and 2-3 grinds sometimes if I shift it too fast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marka67

Have the same problem shifting into 2nd gear. And when i shut truck off and putting it into first gear. Thought maybe it was the clutch since it hasn't been replaced and has 166,000 miles on it . 2000 ford ranger xlt

daaaaaaamn, I replaced my clutch for the first time at 140,000 and the shop told me it was nearly 100% worn.

ob269 · #10 11-01-2011, 12:43 PM

Mine is also hard to put into gear randomly and it grinds occasionally with 3rd gear.. unknow on the clutchs life span, does not feel like it needs replaced..

gradystebbins · #11 11-01-2011, 02:31 PM

Same issue here, noticed it having trouble shifting into 1st occasionally about 3 weeks ago, problem only lasted about 3 days and went away on it's own before I really had time to take a look at it. Left it alone, and boy was that a mistake.

Noticed the problem creeping back in yesterday, but the trouble had spread into 1st and Reverse too. About halfway through the day today I tried to shift into reverse to pull out of a parking spot and heard gears grinding loudly. Had to turn the engine off to get into reverse. Now I have to turn the engine off to get 1st or Reverse, I can shift to 2nd at a low speed, but it takes a lot of effort.

I can tell the clutch isn't engaging fully, in reverse, even with the clutch pedal all the way in, the truck wants to move. I also might have more play in the clutch pedal than I'm used to, but I might be imagining that. I'm going to try bleeding the clutch hydrolic lines tonight, but I'd love to hear how things are coming along for everyone else.

L454S · #12 11-01-2011, 03:27 PM

If your truck has a bunch of miles(over 50,000) you might try changing the tranny fluid. Try the Mobil1 Synthetic ATF(20wt), or try a dedicated manual fluid like Amsoil MTF(30wt). Have been running the Amsoil for about 12,000mi now.

marka67 · #13 11-01-2011, 05:45 PM

bleeding the clutch? how do you do that? and what does it do? thanks

94mtx · #14 11-01-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marka67

bleeding the clutch? how do you do that? and what does it do? thanks

It's called gravity bleeding. There are videos on youtube of how to gravity bleed a Ranger. You will need a helper.

sgtsandman · #15 11-01-2011, 06:13 PM

It's like bleeding the brakes and uses the same fluid. There is a bleeder valve on the slave cylinder on the driver's side. You have to get under the truck and look through the hole on the side of the bell housing. Be careful though. The reservoir doesn't hold much fluid, so it will be real easy to get more air into the system if that is indeed what the problem is. Just do a little at a time.