Just picked up a 2001 Ranger regular cab, short box 2wd. It's my first Ford, so I'm not too familiar with the transmissions, all I can say is it's an auto.

Symptoms:
I get hard shifts from 1st to 2nd, especially if it shifts while I'm coasting. But only happens once or twice every time I drive

When putting the rig into REV from Park the engine revs lower every time, like it's about to stall but quickly recovers.

Concerned I checked the transmission fluid (engine warmed up and in neutral) and its WAY above the hatched marks on the dip stick.

Questions:
Could the overfull tranny be causing the problems?

How do I drain some fluid out without dropping the pan?

Thanks in advance!

 

you could use a hose and syphon some out

 

If you don't know how old the fluid is I'd go ahead and change it anyway. (don't flush, just drain and refill). That way you can fill it to the proper level and have fresh fluid.

 

Yea man I would just drain out the old atf and the filter. Now install NEW filter fluid and drive on. Let us know how it works out for you!

 

Yeah problem is I don't have the time to do it and I HATE paying shops and stealer-ships for maintenance work.

Anyone know these transmissions well? Could the overfill be causing the problem. The tranny only has 58k on it.

 

I take my Ranger to the dealership and my guy there told me that if it has too much fluid it will just come out of the top of the dip stick. I had a Tranny leak and I told him I was worried about over filling it and he said it is fine, better to have more than not enough. I got my leak fixed so I don't have to worry about that any more. :)

 

It will come out of the vent before it will cause a harsh shift

you dont have time to replace the fluid and filter, so when will you have time to have it rebuilt?

this transmission is a 5R55E. If the harsh shifts are still there after you change the fluid and filter properly, rent a line pressure gauge and see what the line pressure does when it shifts harsh.

for the low idle in reverse, the throttle body should be cleaned and the IAC should be replaced, or cleaned if you dont want to replace it.

 

I'm not entirely sure on how much of a difference it would make, but the tranny fluid should be check warm in Park, Not neutral.