First time here, might have two problems

Gstewart · #1 12-12-2012, 08:57 PM

Bought my first Ranger yesterday. I think the description will be in my signature. So far I like it and except for one or two things it mostly only has small stuff wrong. The worst thing I have found so far is that during initial warm up it has very poor performance. Very low power and slighly high idle speed. It's not that it is racing, just high enough to make the transmission hit pretty hard when I put it in gear, especially reverse. I didn't realize how low the power was until I left work last night and had to go up a big hill. Once things have warmed up it seems more like a normal car. The other thing I notice is that the transmission seems a little loose or disconnected during this same warm up time. I get the feeling that when I press the pedal the engine speeds up a little independently of the movement of the vehicle. Like it isn't really connected all that tightly to the transmission. I have only driven it for a total of about 25 miles so I am not really sure yet but it seems like once it has warmed up the engine is more tightly connect to the transmission. My prior Plymouth van was very tight, when you pressed the pedal the car moved instantly. This ranger just seems late or loose or slow. Not sure how to say it. Thanks for any help.

Welcome Bot · #2 12-12-2012, 09:03 PM

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reconjb · #3 12-12-2012, 09:06 PM

Welcome to frf

You might try checking your trans fluid it might be a little low

sent from my IPod using the FRF app

03DJ · #4 12-12-2012, 09:32 PM

Welcome to FRF!!!

SageXi2 · #5 12-12-2012, 09:43 PM

Hello Gary, welcome to FRF...from Utah

TB-9862 · #6 12-12-2012, 09:49 PM

Welcome!
Not sure if its the problem, but when you mention your van moving instantly when you pressed the pedal vs sluggish response in your Ranger, I would suggest checking out the throttle cable mod. When I first got mine I would literally FLOOR the pedal when entering the highway and my truck would just chug along at an easy pace. After fixing the cable my truck jumps off the line when I stand on the pedal haha

03DJ · #7 12-12-2012, 09:52 PM

To the OP, your transmission is probably worn...Just a thought. Like Dennis here said, try the throttle cab mod.

Gstewart · #8 12-12-2012, 10:02 PM

If my transmission is worn out, could I try changing the fluid? With 190K miles on the truck and no knowledge of the history of the transmission I'm not sure what to expect. But doing that did wonders for the van I mentioned earlier. It was taking forever to engage in cold weather until I changed the fluid.

03DJ · #9 12-12-2012, 10:08 PM

Go ahead and change fluids in the tranny. I wouldn't be comparing a truck to a van... I remember owning a 2000 Dodge Caravan, it was a 3.0L and it felt more powerful than my truck. The transmission was also smoother. You have to remember this, a van like that is FWD and its built for comfort. Thats just my .02.