1996 Ranger will not move

[Evolbeaver]

Hello to everyone here,

I have a 1996 4.0 V6 4x4 Ranger. It has 200,000 miles on the original drive train and has always run and driven fine. It sometimes has a hard shift from 1st to 2nd, but nothing too bad. The other day I heard a very faint whining noise come from what I assume was the transmission, it was faint enough that I wouldnt have heard it if the stereo was working in my truck. The whining disappeared after I shifted to park and then back to drive, maybe 10 seconds after it started. It drove fine for about 1.5 weeks afterward, then while climbing an on ramp to the freeway the whining reappeared at the same time the transmission seemed to slip out of gear (the first time I was still able to drive and I didn't notice any slipping at all). Now I cannot get the truck to move forward or back in any gear or any 2wd or 4wd configuration. I had to tow the truck to my parents after this happened and I have had no time to tinker with it until tonight. If anyone has any ideas please, please let me know where I should start looking. I will post again after I have done some basic diagnostic work with what I am able to turn up. Thanks again for all the help in advance.


EDIT: I wanted to ad that the O/D light is not on or blinking at all. The check engine light is on, but that was already on due to a faulty EVAP canister valve, which will go off and stay off for about 6 months everytime I clean the valve.

 

[Evolbeaver]

Is there anyone out there with any ideas that can provide me with some advice? It would help me to sleep at night. I was reading through a ton of old posts and found where someone else had the same problem. He posted back that it was diagnosed (I think by himself) to be the torque converter (he claimed all the "fins" broke off). No posts were ever made to confirm that he was right, but there were several posts about people being skeptical that this was the whole reason his truck would not move. I am not familiar with the internals of torque converters, but I am familiar with the two fan analogy of them. It makes sense that if the blades of one fan were damaged or broken it wouldn't transfer power. Is this realistic? I still haven't had time to go and diagnose it, but I think I will this weekend. I am no transmission expert, but am a competant mechanic. What should I do first to check the condition of the torque converter. Please, someone shed some light for me. Thanks.

 

[Tbars4]

...I am no tranny expert but I can help get you started on finding out info to your Ranger's tranny problem...

...What tranny do you have???...:scratch:...

...Look on your door sticker for a trans code...It should be a "T = 4R55E"...Unless for some weird reason you got the 97 auto tranny then it would be a "D = 5R55E"....

...There are several write ups on these 2 tranny's and once you figure out what tranny you have, others may have some answers...Good Luck...

 

[Evolbeaver]

I have the 4r55e transmission...

 

[Tbars4]

...That should help you search for similar problems here and may get more responses from others as they will now know what tranny you have and may be better able to share their results with you...

...Maybe a Moderator will see that you have the 4r55e transmission and will edit/include it, in the title for you so you can get some responses according to your specific tranny......Good Luck...

 

[Evolbeaver]

I decided to pull the transmission and do a basic rebuild. I think I am planning on getting a rebuild "kit" (available from ford with all the "soft" parts), along with a new pump and torque converter. I still do not know exactly what is wrong since I haven't had time to work on it yet. I plan to buy a scanner and see if I can pull any codes. I was talking to a family friend/mechanic and he seemed to think it may be a thrust washer went out, said if one were to go it would change the clearences on the internals of the trans so that the clutches may not have enough pressure on them to grip anymore. I was hoping it was going to be the torque converter but I have been told it is unlikely for one to fail in the scenerio I experienced. Either way, the trans is coming out for a rebuild and I will know much more at that time, I will post back once I get to it, but it may be a while.