Hey guys, I have a 2001 Ranger xlt 2wd 3.0 automatic. On cold mornings, the tranny is having trouble shifting into 2nd. It takes about 1/4 mi., reving real high to shift into second. But after that, it works fine the rest of the day. Truck has about 130,000 mi. and I have kept up with maintance, have changed fluid and filter 4 times.Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, need all the help I can get. Gotta get another 5 years out of her.

 

did you find out what the problem was, my truck has the same problem

 

the trans is going to shift slow when it is cold out, the fluid is thicker...let the truck warm up for about 15-20 minutes and see if the initial 1-2 shift is still slow...what fluid do you have in it?

 

I always try to warm up truck. When I do, the tranny shifts fine. I was concerned that this was the early sign of bad things to come. I also did not know there was different viscosities of tranny fluid. I will have to check with my parts guy, what tranny fluid I used this summer when I changed my fluid. So, in the winter, I should use thinner tranny fluid?

 

Not really, someone wrote me aned said in the cold weather tranny fluid is thicker and that was the reason for the delayed shift. But that does not explain that as the years have gone by, the problem has gotten worse. I think I am going to look into this shift kit I have been reading about, that is supposed to smooth out all shifting.

 

you no i was told to check the transmission cables, to make sure they are tight, and they are, so now i mite have to replace the shifting module, but i still have to take it to the shop,i just have no time, but when i do ill let you know whats up

 

there are no "thicker" or thinner fluids for your trans,,,,it takes Mervon V, no substitute

what cables did you check? your transmission does not have a kick down cable or a throttle valve cable

also, there is no such thing as a shifting module, the TCM (transmission control module) is integral to the PCM and the main control/valve body is inside the transmission