Kids Ranger is 2000 4.0 4x4. Tranny was rebuilt 18,000 miles ago. Changed fluid, filter and flushed cooler and lines 3,000 miles ago.
Shifts fine and smooth thru lower gears but started to rev really high in overdrive climbing gradual grades 5-6k on tach. Not consistently, only intermittently.
yesterday at a light while in drive truck rolled back and would not go. Put in 2nd to get thru intersection. Stopped checked fluid, all good. Put back in drive and drive and shifted fine till overdrive. Would not shift into overdrive while on hwy. 60 mph 3k on tach. Overdrive light started flashing.
Gonna pull codes tonight. Can bands being out of adjustment cause this? Should I drop pan and check filter? Fluid is clean and not burnt….Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

Unfortunately it reads like one of the one-way clutch(sprag) is failing, OD or Low sprag
Disengaged when in D but reengaging in 1 or 2 is a sign of that
In D the coast clutch is not used just the sprag, coast clutch is used in 1 or 2 so gets you moving and then you can usually shift to D

Here is a read on what is what in the different gears: https://atracom.blob.core.windows.ne.../2003_5_50.pdf

4R and 5R are the same transmissions internally, 5R engine computers just have the option of turning on OD while still in 1st gear giving you a faux 2nd gear for smoother shift, in the 4R the engine had to REV higher before shifting
Shift solenoid 3 is activated for the faux 2nd and then for OD, but not for Manual 2nd selection on shfter
Do you still feel the 2nd, 3rd and then 4 gear shifts when in D, or is it skipping "2nd", i.e. 1st to 3rd and then to 4th

Codes will tell you if its a solenoid issue, but doesn't read that way, also not band adjustments
If its just ratio codes then not a solenoid issue

Dropping the pan will tell you if there is a mechanical issue in the rotating part of transmission, i.e. metal flakes/parts in the pan

Just a heads up on ALL automatic trans rebuilds, if the rebuild part was $2,000(not removal and install) then expect it to last 12-18month
If over $2,600 then 200k miles, extra cost is new sprags, OD drum, TSS sensor(4R/5R) and front pump
"Soft parts" only, clutches and bands, and valve body are the only thing done on less expensive rebuilds

 

Thank You for the detailed response! All the shifts from 1st to 4th feel smooth and consistent. Not shifting into overdrive just happened yesterday when I had the issue at a light waiting to get on the interstate. Truck shifted fine on the way home in all the lower gears. No overdrive though.The guy who did the tranny is local and asked to bring the truck by after the holiday weekend. Only problem is my Boy is stationed in Yuma and has to be back. I was hoping it was something I could fix before that. I wont waste time dropping the pan but will see what kind of codes I pull. Thanks for the detailed, informative response!