2001 Ford Ranger Shifting Problem
 

Hello all,

I have a 2001 Ranger XLT 4x4 with the 4.0 V6, auto-trans. I am experiencing troubles shifting from 1st gear into 2nd. it will not shift on its own and the RPM's just keep climbing. However, if I manually shift it into 1st and 2nd, instead of putting it into drive, then it shifts just fine. Any ideas as to what this could be?????

This is fun. Probably the best place to start is with a code scan. Usually, shift solenoids do stick from time to time, especialy if high milage and the trans hasn't been flushed. Shift solenoids usually leave a code of about P075x. Also, if you can read data stream, look to the tr/mlp sensor. This sensor has a large control over shift timing/patterns. Does this trans even try to shift? If you put it into 2 from a start, does it accelerate normally in 2nd gear, with NO SLIP? These are usually a pretty tough little transmission, but they had their issues, most of which went backt to the valve body (there were many, many different seperator plate and valve body changes through the years. If trans slips at all in 2nd manual takeoff, then it will have to be overhauled. I would also recommend a shift kit if overhauled (it really helped out with the "slide-bump" problems that this trans. would sometimes display.)