1991 Ranger Delayed Reverse/Drive
 

Howdy,

I just spent the last two weeks chasing a bad fuel pump to find out that is was just a wire issue.

However, I turn the key and excited to get going and the truck just sat there.

If I give it some gas it may catch, or if I just sit there long enough.

I saw that some folks were saying to do a flush, but would have to drop the pan etc.

But I am getting even more people telling me if I change the fluid at this point would be a bad thing.

However, if i coach it with the gas it will catch and I can get going.

The problem goes away shortly after driving and everything seems smooth and operates as expected.

It is a 1991 so there are a few little leaks within the engine bay and possibly transmission (118K truck that I am the 2nd owner now for 3 years)

The fluid is never really low, but we add a small amount every 2 weeks or so, a bottle last 4-5 months.

Is there anything that I can do?

Thanks,
Jay

Does it do the same thing if you put it in reverse ? not drive but in1st ?

Yes, Drive and Reverse are pretty much the same.

At times I might get going in one, just to end up pausing at the other.

However, if I turn on and off, it seems to react faster.

I have tried it on other gears and it does not seem to change it either....

Thanks,
Jay

Welcome to the forum

You have an A4LD Automatic transmission in a 1991 Ranger(1985 to 1994)
Rangers used the same transmission from 1985 thru 2011 but with different Valve Bodies, so 26 year run

You need to change fluid and filter first
Yes, you need to drop the pan, and also have a look at the fluid for any signs of metal particles in fluid or pan, that would indicate a bigger issue in the rotating part of transmission

ALL Automatics run on fluid pressure, not a Ford thing, 100psi for Forward and 150psi for Reverse
At the front of the transmission is the pump that provides this pressure, it spins/pumps at engine RPMs, so raising RPMs raises pressure, these pumps rarely fail

This fluid, under pressure, is sent to the Valve Body where it is routed to the clutches and bands(brakes) to engage "gears" as selected by driver
So lower pressure at clutches and bands would delay engagement

What you describe is lower pressure in the Valve body
This could be simply a dirty filter or low fluid level

Could be leaking Valve body gaskets or seals, when you shut off the engine and vehicle sits for any length of time the ATF fluid may be running down into the pan from leak points so there is air in the passages where there should be fluid, so on start up all the air needs to be purged from the whole system first so a delay

Valve Body can be changed with transmission in vehicle, and there are updates and shift kits for that

There are Pressure Test Ports on the outside of transmission that can be used to diagnose internal pressure issues

Thanks guys, I might have to look into the pressure points more... I am really nervous of doing any fluids since so many folks have shared that not knowing what has been done over the last 30yrs could make things worse in the grit of new fluid.

Most people who change fluid and filter, or do a flush of an automatic trans, thats NOT a scheduled Service, do so BECAUSE they already have a NOTICEABLE trans problem

So blaming a fluid/filter change for the problem is a BIG STRETCH of "cause and effect" diagnostics, lol
Trans is already "broken", not sure how new fluid and filter can make it worse, and it WILL take clogged filter and burn fluid off the table as the cause of the issues

i.e. you don't read many trans failure issues after scheduled fluid/filter changes


For "pressure loss" issues/symptoms you can try "trans fix" products, they are all pretty much the same thing, they swell gaskets and seals so can slow internal leaks
Won't hurt anything
Not a fix but can restore higher pressure for awhile