I have seen other threads about clanking, clunking or thunking when changing gears but I haven't seen what's happening to my Ranger - when it is cold (like freezing) and I am leaving for work in the morning (for example), when I put it in reverse (it is an automatic), it will not move. When I give it a little bit of gas (and more until it moves) it will make a LOUD thunk/clunk noise and go in reverse.

It "feels" like it is stuck or bound up (or literally frozen?) It's a really loud sound - I don't know how bad the problem is, but it sure sounds bad.

It will not make any more noise as I go from then on. I have not ever experienced this when it was warm out. I do not experience this at all as it later is changing gears, nor later in the day when I am leaving work. It has only happened when starting out on a very cold morning.

Any ideas?

 

Your problem is probably your parking brake freezing up in cold temps. It shouldnt be too big of a deal.

 

Wow! My first post and it was answered so fast! Thanks brother!

I mentioned to my mechanic brother that the emergency brake doesn't feel right. It is really hard to push in. Seems to work, but hard to push in from the start. Now I know I which way to go first!

Thanks again!

 

No problem man. Thats what we are here for.

 

Doesn't use parking brake when it's freezing. save it for warmer weather.

 

Checked out parking brake cable and operation. Works fine.

Was 20 degrees this morning. Parking brake off. Wouldn't move. Tried 4W high, and low. Finally went for it and gave it more gas.

POW! Then I shot back several feet (in reverse)! Then, it drives fine and no extra noise at all.

It really seems like something is locked up with the freezing temp. Moving "breaks" the lock. What are the possibilities besides the parking brakes?

 

What kind of road surface are you parking on ? Is it wet/snow covered ?
I live on a dirt road with some water puddles I have to drive through. The water will drip down onto the brake rotors and freeze overnight.
Parking with warm tires on snow covered ground , the tires will melt some of the snow and freeze in.
If I go out and move the truck 1/2 hour after getting home it won't stick to the ground the next morning.

 

I am experiencing the same thing. I think it has something to do with the transmission fluid being cold. Not sure though. I try to park pointing the direction i am going in the morning to avoid reverse in the cold. Not a fix for the problem but works for the time being.

 

Check your U-joints just incase... What about if you let the car warm up before putting it in gear?

 

Does the rpm's tach up real high when giving it gas in reverse. If so, it may be your transmission is taking a long time to engage into reverse. You may have a valve sticking in the valve body.

 

Talked to a guy I went to high school with that used to be a mechanic at a Ford dealer. He says it is most likely the valve body gasket is leaking, and that this is a very common issue.

 

Its the rear brakes just freezing to the drums. It is normally worse in my truck if i use the emergency brake. Just like another guy said. the water dripping down from warm tires does make its way in and things freeze when its cold. I wouldn't suspect tranny. Does it sound like the motor is going under any load or does it just rev up as if its in neutral?

 

I've seen torn valve body gaskets on explorers with the A4LD transmission. The 5r55e in the ranger is basically an a4ld that has an extra gear. You are right. The gasket can possibly have tear!

 

Mine does it in 40 degree weather. It does get better the warmer it gets, but I know it isn't freezing brakes. Thanks anyway!

 

The slip yoke is known to cause noise too.

The rear springs on these trucks are twisty garbage, any 4wd truck with stock blocks will have more noise then the 2wd.

 

ah damn you beat me to the slip yoke comment. mine did the same thing and it was the slip yoke