Hi all! I have a 2000 Ranger 3.0 flex and just a few weeks ago the tranny started to shift fairly hard from first to second. The last time I did a tranny filter and flush was at 80,000 and it has 116,000 on it now. Im kinda thinkin that its due for another filter and flush but I want to get some more experienced opinions before I take it to a dealer for further diagnoses. Maybe a shift solenoid? Ive heard of these trannys having other issues but I have no clue.... Like I said it was shifting like butter till just a few weeks ago. Thanx for the help in advance.

 

adjust the transmission bands first. If it still shifts hard, get a pressure gauge on it before replacing anything else...that will help you to diag it

with the bands you back off the nut, run the center in to 10 lb/ft and back off two turns

 

Bands? Ive never had to mess with a tranny before, can you gimme a step by step on this? I dont know what or where they are. And what type of pressure gauge would I need and where would I attach it? Whats the acceptable pressure?

 

I just read the procedure over at the ranger station and this sounds a bit out of my league as Ive never done it before and cant afford to make a mistake. Just one more question though, would it be better to change the filter and fluid before band adjustment? Might there be an interaction with the oil flow rate between a dirty and clean filter that would have an affect on adjustment? I just want to get everything as spot on as possible.

 

Try this link.
https://www.ranger-forums.com/showth...and+adjustment

 

Thanx for the link awesome info! But im still not comfortable trying this one myself. This truck is my daily driver and Ide rather have a ford tech do it so that im not taking any chances. If it were a spare truck that I did not rely on to get me back and fourth to work I would dive right into it, like I do with my 1988 ranger. I am already going to have the front engine seals done on my 2000 cuz the ****ing thing is pissing coolant so ill just have them adjust the bands and get it all done in one foul swoop. Then when I get the truck back I plan on doing an EXTENSIVE tune up.

Tranny filter and fluid, coolant flush, fuel filter, air filter, oil change and filter, plugs, front breaks and all four shocks. All of this stuff is way past due for service cuz I haven't had a job in almost two years and I just got one at my local auto parts store and get a discount.

 

lol, good luck at Ford. Some of the techs themselves don't even know what they're doing. Most of them break out the how-to manual on stuff like that, so you run the same risk of them messing up as if you did it yourself. If you're lucky, you'll get a tech that knows what they're doing.

 

I know, but its all about being able to hold the company liable.....

 

the trans in my 96 4.0 is shifting extremely hard.
check the levels of both it and radiator, both are filled correctly.
maybe try switching the fluid and filter?
u joints?

Any info here would be extremely appreciated.

 

Liability with a company as big as Ford is zero.

Either way, just keep an eye on your truck and the work that's being done.

 

I always do when I have it serviced by them, and im always exact when I tell them what to do. Any ways my local ford dealer knows me and they dont like to see me twice for the same job if you know what I mean.......... Ive raised **** storms with them in the past and they know I wont hesitate to do so again. Some times being a dick is the only way you get good service...

 

I have an update on my tranny problem. I brought it to the dealer and they pulled the bottom end apart and said the number one throttle valve was jammed shut and the separator plate was cracked. So it wasn't building pressure in first gear. So long story short they put in a new valve, separator plate, trans flush and PCM flash for the new valve. Now the truck has never shifted so smooth, since the day I bought it! Like scary smooth. $750 but it was worth it.