'03 ranger trans position sensor acting up?

[Marcus Aurelius]

I have a 2003 Ranger, 3.0L, Automatic, 2WD.

When I try to go into gear from park, it dosen't engage correctly. I move the lever on the column, let off the brake, and it dosne't move for a minute. When I change to ther gears or give it a little gas, it sometimes engages. It did it this morning and afternoon.

Sometimes it engages randomly while Im giving it some gas and the tires spin a little. Other times, when I get it moving and I press on the brake to stop, it stops rapidly with very little brake pressure.

I have had this problem before, and it turned out it was some relay/ computer thing that tells the trans what gear to go into. It apparently is very sensitive to water and probably got wet.

It worked fine when i got it replaced and the the parking brake gear lock wasn't engaging, so then i got that replaced. Now the first problem is happening again.

btw, it has also been raining alot and may have gotten wet again.

So, do I have to replace this thing again, after only a month? And is there a way to protect it from getting wet? because it seems like any puddle kills it.

 

[Marcus Aurelius]

I found the receipt for the first time I got this part replaced. It's called the transmission position sensor.

And after driving it later in the day, the problems went away. So if it got wet, it may have dried and is ok for now.

So, now my question is, is there anything I can do to protect it from getting wet?

 

[Marcus Aurelius]

Any ideas?

I looked into the problem more and couldn't find anything thing on the trans position sensor, but I found alot of info on the trans range sensor. Are these the same thing? and is there something i can do to better protect it from moisture? maybe some form of sealer like what you use for headlights?

 

[PopRichie77]

The correct name is Digital Transmission Range Sensor. (DTR) The sensor is sealed and the wiring plug that connects to it should seal the connection against moisture, the plug may be damaged, it is located on the drivers side of the transmission, the manual selector shaft goes through it.

 

[Marcus Aurelius]

The plug shouldn't be damaged because I just got it replaced.

Why would the receipt for the part I got replaced say "transmission position sensor" if it is not even the name of the actual part?

 

[PopRichie77]

The connector plug is located on the wiring harness, it connects to the sensor mating connector. People call it by different names and no I don't know why.

 

[Marcus Aurelius]

Ok, thanks for the info.

So, now that it is new and still having problems on wet days where it may get wet, what can I do to prevent that?

 

[PopRichie77]

Have you checked the sensor and the wiring connector and the wiring, if water is getting in and causing a short something is wrong, with one of those things. Take it back where you got it fixed.

 

[Marcus Aurelius]

I guess I'll have to if it keeps happening.

I had no choice but to drive through a flooded road yesterday, so we'll find out it still has problems.

 

[PopRichie77]

The wiring plug was probably not replaced, it isn't a normally replaced item and the seal is part of the plug, the seal may have came off or is damaged, the snap lock on the plug may be broken, if you aren't comfortable checking these items then your only recourse it to take it back where the sensor was replaced, or another shop.

 

[Marcus Aurelius]

Well, there were no problems after driving it yesterday after having gone through some water the day before that. Unless the problems come back, I see no need to take it back to my mechanic.

I will inspect it a little to see if there is any visual damage or something.