red 1997 ranger automatic 2WD 4.0 with air, approx. 77,000 original miles

been a great truck, drove across country 3 months ago, no problems.

recently, and not always, but happening more & more, when we crank in the a.m., put it in reverse, back-up, then put it in drive, the transmission won't engage for a few minutes. no other problems, no noises, smells, nada. once it engages it runs great.

but we fear it is a sign of things to come.... what should we do? some mechanical experience, know no mechanics we trust, but very broke after the move. Any suggestions... ideas???

Thanks in advance. and other truck is 1978 Ford 4X4 shortbed stepside, needing work. Ford folks here!

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Hi, welcome to FRF. I have a '95 automatic and I noticed that when it is cold (the trcuk & or the weather), sometimes my truck's transmission doesn't engage very well. The simple solution I found was to let the truck warm up for a minute or two before driving it and the problem went away. Hopefully yours is nothing to worry about, but you can always have it checked out at an auto shop or see if it's throwing any codes. Cheers!

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1995 Ford Ranger XL 3.0 Long bed
Gold color
matching Leer shell ♠ clear corners ♠ black tail lights ♠ Mustang dome ♠ Bugflector II ♠ throttle mod ♠ sound system:
Pioneer AVH-x5600BHS ✣ Diamond D672S ✣ Infinity Kappa 682.9cf ✣ Precision Power P900.4 ✣ Precision Power P1000.1 ✣ Massive CORE-1 ✣ Sundown SD-2 8" ✣
BUILD THREAD

Check /replace the transmission fluid

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Green 1997 ford ranger xlt, stock for now
Black 1993 Mustang Cobra

Welcome to FRF. First thing to do would be to check the level, color, & smell of the trans fluid. If the fluid is low top it off & re-check to see if the problem is solved. The color & smell go together if the fluid is red & doesn't smell burnt, hopefully it was just low on fluid, if not there is probably an internal problem. If the fluid looks brown & smells burnt chances are the trans may need a re-build.

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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
99 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, PW, PL, PM, Cruise, Tilt. (Wife's DD)
05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)