I have a 2002 Ford Ranger Edge 2wd 3.0 liter auto transmission. Last night when I got home from work and parked it, there wasn't any problems. This morning I went out to pull it into the drive and air up a low tire. When I started it, I put it into reverse...no problem. When I was backed up far enough to put it in drive and pull into the drive, I did. When I put it in drive, it immediately went in but it had a "kick" to it. This worried me so once I got into the drive, I put it into reverse. Guess what? It "kicked again". So I put it back into drive (which it "kicked" again) and pulled back into the drive. I put it in park, left it running, and walked around the truck and listened, crawled underneath and looked, then after about 5 minutes, got back in and took it around the block. When I backed out of the drive and put it into drive to drive it around the block, it no longer "kicked"! What the heck! I did a couple more tests where I put it into drive then into reverse and it no longer "kicked"! What could have been going on? Why had it been doing this this morning?

 

I think your fine. If its cold out something happens with the trans fluid sometimes. I am not sure exactly what happens but doesn't sound like a problem.

 

Yep, normal. Both my Fords do it as well.

 

Okay, thanks! I am relieved that it isn't a problem to be worried about! I was really hoping it wasn't big but once it quit doing it on its own after a couple minutes, I wasn't AS worried... Thanks again!

 

yep, happens to me everytime it gets cold. No big deal

 

If it keeps happening, check your ujoints....my old bronco did it. It's a good indicator of shot ujoints when the tranny kicks into gear.

 

solution: drive a stick :D