Hey
I have a 2001 Ranger just getting back together after setting for a year . I have the engine back in place , I installed the engine and transmission together . The shifter is stuck in neutral and I cant get it to move into gear, the starter will turn over but not start or fire . Could there be air in the clutch line causing this ? If so best way to bleed

 

When you put the shifter into the top of the trans the shift forks were not lined up, so you are locked in a gear.

Pull out the shifter again and look down into the trans, there are 3 shift rails each with a slot that the shifter arm will move, all 3 need to be lined up(neutral) before shifter can be installed, or you will get what you describe.

If in doubt see if truck will roll now, in "neutral" clutch pedal up, if it doesn't then you are not in neutral, pull shifter and align the 3 slots, you may have to rock the truck to release pressure on driveline so you can move slot on misaligned shift fork.


What engine model is "not starting"?
2.5l Lima or 2.3l Duratec

 

After I posted my thread I read were others had same problem, I removed shifter , and checked I think that is resolved all slots are lined up and can now go from 1st to 2nd and so forth, I will try to roll in neutral tomorrow , but I think that is fixed now. Engine wouldnt turn over due to ground cable to battery was not making good connection , cut off and stripped and re attached to battery post clamp now turns over good. So tomorrow will try again , thanks.

 

This is a 2.3l Duratec engine

 

Thanks for the update

Hope it starts right up

 

OK I fixed the shifter issue, change the fuel pump, engine turns over doesnt hit, I took out spark plug cant see a spark across electrode ? any ideas ?

 

Was the spark plug wet with fuel when you removed it?
It should be after cranking engine

If not then Crank Position Sensor could be the problem, the crank pulley is not "keyed" like on other engines, and it has the tone wheel that the CKP sensor reads to see when #1 is at TDC.
There is an alignment tool that comes with a new CKP sensor.
So if crank pulley was loosened or removed then it needs to be retimed and CKP sensor put back to spec location.


You probably know this but just checking, the spark plug must be ground to the engine or battery negative to get a spark.
I use a jumper cable to hold spark plug and clamp the other end to battery negative, then crank to test for spark.

I have never taken apart the Ranger 2.3l duratec engine but did read a post that said the CKP sensor was near the alternator and when replacing the alternator they pulled it out of the way and engine wouldn't start afterwards, they had to replace CKP sensor.

 

I went put pulled a plug grounded it with plug wire still attached turned over engine no spark, this is a replacement engine that I bought and just put in, and I think the sensor that was on this engine was bent during the swap and I replaced from spare parts , it so that could be it, checked sensor, I had the alignment tool from a previous sensor from another engine, so removed sensor and I put the ckp sensor back on with alignment tool truck started ! But doesn't stay running, I am thinking gas now

 

Well I remembered that when I installed the replacement motor the ckp sensor was bent so I replaced it, so I took the sensor off, and used the alignment tool to reinstall the sensor . The truck started right up, runs good too. Now just a few odds and ends to finish up and then start driving it

Thanks everyone for your help , this truck has been out of service for about 4 years , now it is running again

 

Good work

Thanks for the update