95 Ranger transmission probs

[gungeek]

My girlfriends 2.3 ranger - range of symptoms/signs. Yes I've read up on boards
The other day she calls says truck is bucking and o/d light flashing running hot. I tell her to pull over turn it off wait a few seconds start it again go back to work and call me if it's still screwy. She does that, better but still hotter than usual.
At this point I find your forum, and start reading up. I am a longtime mechanic and have only ever rebuilt a TH350.
Next morning she takes it to a local shop for a fluid/filter change and sure enough the crap shifts improve, and it no longer needs to be floored to shift from 4 to 3 on light hills. She goes to work, fault does not repeat but she says it still runs hot..."all the way up to the middle" I tell her I,ve never owned a vehicle that did'nt average at the middle of the guage, she thinks the sky is falling, and blames me for the problem because I usually shift into D while the truck has not completly ceased all rearward motion. 300+K on the truck 170K on the junkyard tranny in it.........My fault...makes me smile in wonder.
Next day we drive from Hagerstown, MD to Frederick, 40 mile trip with a mountain in the middle, temp guage that never runs past 1/4 gets to 1/2 on top of mountain and other hills. Later in the day after 100+miles and a fast trip on a windy back road the fault repeats for me finally...obviously a limp mode situation, reset, go home.
Codes wrought this morning,
P1751, shift solenoid A performance
P0731, gear 1 incorrect ratio
P1131, & P0131B, upstream O2 that was not humanly possible to plug back in after replacing the converter, so I new it would have an O2 code.
P0102, Mass air flow circuit low.
Also the truck has been shuddering considerably at stop in drive for a while.
My take on this is the TC has probably been out of balance for a while, hence the shake, and now is running hot enough to boost coolant temps.
I am assuming I am going to have to R&R&R this trans.
The good news is my best buddy since 2nd grade 36 years ago works at a ford dealer and can probably get the guy with all the experience on these to reman it for a few hundred bucks.
What do you more experienced guys think??? fix it in, or fix it out??
Thanks for the read.
Barry

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Start with a band adjustment. Plug that O2 sensor back in, and clean the MAF sensor thoroughly. Clear the codes, and drive it again for a few miles, then scan it again.

 

[manaen]

Howdy Neighbor! welcome to the forum. I am frequently on 70 driving to the DC area, those two mountains in the way are a good workout for any transmission.

I had a 95 ranger (with the OHV 4.0) They are great trucks. I frequently had to clean the MAF, it's a common issue. Those 2.3's are like tractor motors they just plain run forever. The tranny on the other hand, not so much. The temp could be normal since we have had the hottest days this year, and climbing those mountains is a chore. If the truck is in good shape, it's almost always cheaper to fix what you have than to buy a new vehicle. Then I say keep the truck and fix it up. Sounds like you have a few different problems that are adding up. But none of them are outrageous if you really like the truck and the body and frame are in good shape.

Good luck and let us know how it all works out..

 

[gungeek]

Thanks I'll try your suggestions

I,ll clean the MAF but I simply cannot plug the O2 sensor back in, I've tried, and the female side of the plug simply cannot be obtained and brought back to where the male side will reach it while working with the one hand that can get up in there. I'm sure ford mechanics have manufactured some reach-n-hold device for this application, I've tried several times several ways without success. If I had a way to get it in the air it might be different, but I don't.
If I end up removing the trans I'll be able to plug it in then.
I'll try the band adjustment as well.
Her truck looks better than most that are ten years newer, and she loves the hell out of it, so I'm going to have to fix it regardless.
I hate the truck because it's a regular cab and I'm 6'8"...too cramped for me.
The crazy thing is, my regular ride is a 92 Geo Metro conv (clown car) and It fits me well.
Thanks again for any ideas.
Barry

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's hard to believe that a Geo Metro has more head room than a Ranger. 6'8" tall. Are you a state trooper? You are very tall. Getting back to the truck. You said that you have no way of getting it up into the air (elevating it). Do you have a set of ramps? They are not very expensive, and are a "must have" item when doing any sort of vehicle maintenance. Another option is to put it on a lift at a service station (maybe for an oil change), and point out to them that it's unplugged. I'm sure that they would have no problem plugging it in for you (most likely without any addition fee).

 

[gungeek]

Thanks but.....

Metro has oodles of leg and head room, and nope I could never be a cop...I suffer fools poorly.
Besides MSP is just a defacto taxation without representation fund raising arm against a victim populace of motorists for the state gov. If you are a state cop..buck the system and refuse to write tickets....I digress, sorry.
I have ramps jacks etc. but could not get it in a position high enough to get to the plug. Probably cannot be done without a spacial tool regardless.
I have worked in every aspect of auto repair for 20+ years and have learned that some things are just not possible without a special tool that you make specifically for the task...this is one of those things, and I have not gotten around to making a contraption to retrieve/retain the plug so I can plug in the sensor.
Imagine a screw type carpet hook about 24-30" long and made out of a car antenna, so you can have afirm hold of the female plug and still get your arm in there to plug in the sensor.
Or I could just take out the transmission, and plug the dang thing in.
I didn't sweat it because I knew ford computers throw a default reading for unplugged sensors....usually.
The guy who she had change the fluid concurred that he didn't see how it would be possible to plug that back in.
Every manufacturer does some screwball stuff...this is one of fords "better ideas".

 

[BrooklynBay]

What about using a grabber like they use to pull things off of a high shelf or a rack in a store? A "C" clamp welding Vice Grip has a long reach with the turn piece in the rear.

 

[gungeek]

Ok done that....

Band adjustment done, not much movement though.
MAF cleaned, drove about 200 miles, same feel, no light, after it gets hot the surging feels even stronger than usual at highway speeds.
I think I'll be replacing this transmission.
What does the motorcraft 3yr-75k unit cost, the girlfriend seems to want to go that route...her truck so wtf!!!

 

[Glacier991]

At the miles you report, I'd replace the tranny. Plus you can fix the sensor issue at the same time!

FORD's remans are reputed to be good, and what the hell, THEY warranty them. Plan on about $3K, installed, ballpark for a FORD reman.

 

[BrooklynBay]

After my only experience with a Ford remanufactured transmission, I would rather buy one from a junk yard. The one from Ford wasn't much better, but this was only my experience. Maybe you might have better luck. It was a soft parts rebuild only. I found this out after opening it up. The hard parts inside of it has production dates a year or two older than the transmission. They might have used hard parts from a scrap transmission. They didn't honor my warranty either. The dealer took a month to order it even though he was paid the full amount before ordering it.

 

[gungeek]

Thanks for the input glacier, brooklyn...

I actually got a price from the dealer, but my friend who works there is on vacation, so I got another guy there who I have given wholesale price on guns to in the past to price it for me.
I always treated him right, and I hope he is being straight with me, but he says the dealer cost is $2165.00 and that just seemed high to me.
And it'll be a cold day in hell when I pay labor for a car repair.
I was a mechanic for 10 years or so, and could stand doing it with excrutiating back pain, but when the knees went, I had to say goodbye to whole days spent stooping under lifts and bending over fenders.
Although DMSO has since ended most the back pain, it can't help two ripped up medial miniscus'.
Also, 95 "A" model ranger...whats the correct transmission? she had the original replaced 175ish k ago.
Again, Thanks for the info.
Barry

 

[BrooklynBay]

If it's an automatic with a 3.0L engine, then it would have a 4R44E transmission.

 

[gungeek]

2.3 actually

Automatic 2.3L 312k miles and still runs and looks great.
I added that last bit for the folks who think I'm nuts to fix one with these miles.
And again...her truck wtf
Thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

This link is # 48 in my list of useful threads: Dead Link Removed. It says that it's a 4R44E.

 

[manaen]

This link is # 48 in my list of useful threads: Dead Link Removed. It says that it's a 4R44E.

great link, do you have the other 47 posted somewhere?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The link is located in my signature on the bottom of the post. It says my list of useful threads. Here's the link: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1439158&postcount=17

 

[manaen]

The link is located in my signature on the bottom of the post. It says my list of useful threads. Here's the link: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1439158&postcount=17

OK I'll say it, DUH!!!!

 

[gungeek]

FMC reman trans installed...but....

After a new O2 sensor and MAF sensor, clear computer and drive, the gas mileage now totally blows, down to about 11mpg.
Any ideas???
Thanks
B

 

[Tbars4]

...first welcome here and i don't know how i missed this thread, lol...i must say you are in good hands though...
...as for your last question, try to read your codes again and see what is now stored...it could be a few things and i will read thru this thread, and again welcome...

 

[manaen]

...first welcome here and i don't know how i missed this thread, lol...i must say you are in good hands though...
...as for your last question, try to read your codes again and see what is now stored...it could be a few things and i will read thru this thread, and again welcome...

Also after you reset the computer it will take a few warm up cycles for the computer to re-calibrate. During this time fuel mileage will suffer, probably not to the extent that you mention though. I will be curious to see what codes your dealing with now.