96' Ranger 4liter V6 Auto Tranny Shifting problem

[Shadowland58]

I had a heat problem when i took a rock through the radiator. I replaced the radiator, and changed out the gasket and filter in the automatic transmission. I now have an intermittent shifting problem, sometimes when i start the engine in the morning and drive to work, the tranny shifts through all 4 gears just fine. Other times, it shifts from 1st to 2nd, and going from 2nd to 3rd it revs up and i have to let off to complete the shift other times it bumps when it shifts. Sometimes when i back up the transmission will not go into reverse, other times it goes into reverse immediately and works as it should. Engine and transmission
have 140 k miles

Need help

 

[96eb96]

I had a heat problem when i took a rock through the radiator. I replaced the radiator, and changed out the gasket and filter in the automatic transmission. I now have an intermittent shifting problem, sometimes when i start the engine in the morning and drive to work, the tranny shifts through all 4 gears just fine. Other times, it shifts from 1st to 2nd, and going from 2nd to 3rd it revs up and i have to let off to complete the shift other times it bumps when it shifts. Sometimes when i back up the transmission will not go into reverse, other times it goes into reverse immediately and works as it should. Engine and transmission
have 140 k miles

Need help

Just to check basics - Are you sure the trans fluid is at the right level? Also, did you put both round gaskets on the filter and tighten it up well? Did you use a name brand filter(motorcraft or fram)?

 

[Shadowland58]

Thank you for the reply
Just to check basics - Are you sure the trans fluid is at the right level?
Every time I check the fluid level with engine running, warm, on level ground, it is at the right level.

Also, did you put both round gaskets on the filter and tighten it up well?

Because I have been working on vehicles for so long (42 years I seem to be a bit of a fanatic, to make sure to cover the bases) I tend to take pictures with a camera so i can make sure of positioning, bolt lengths, etc.

Did you use a name brand filter(motorcraft or fram)? I user either Motor Craft, Fram or Purolator filters.

Another item your questions made me remember (well so much for age) Sometimes the O/D light will flash. Which makes me think the fluid level is low. When I have checked that level, it is just below the full mark, (3/8 to a 1/2 inch)

 

[budwich]

if you have a flashing o/d light, then you likely have codes that can be read to give you an idea of your problem... maybe. I just had mine read at a trans shop.... 731 ... slippage. I am still pondering on what to do as the $$$ option is a tough swallow especially on a 96.

 

[96eb96]

Thank you for the reply
Just to check basics - Are you sure the trans fluid is at the right level?
Every time I check the fluid level with engine running, warm, on level ground, it is at the right level.

Also, did you put both round gaskets on the filter and tighten it up well?

Because I have been working on vehicles for so long (42 years I seem to be a bit of a fanatic, to make sure to cover the bases) I tend to take pictures with a camera so i can make sure of positioning, bolt lengths, etc.

Did you use a name brand filter(motorcraft or fram)? I user either Motor Craft, Fram or Purolator filters.

Another item your questions made me remember (well so much for age) Sometimes the O/D light will flash. Which makes me think the fluid level is low. When I have checked that level, it is just below the full mark, (3/8 to a 1/2 inch)

OD light flashing is a computer detected malfunction issue with your trans. The next thing is to connect a scanner and find out the codes. It does not sound good.

This trans is sensitive to low fluid causing delayed shifts. It should be in the crosshatched area when hot, maybe add just a bit more to bring it closer to the full mark.

Did you use Mercon V? That is the best choice for that trans.

One last thing I can think of..did you buy the correct filter for the trans? I believe(for the 4r55e anyway, 4r44e is similar - worth a check) that there is a 2WD and 4WD version of the filter. If the filter you replaced was the same it is likely you got the right one. I believe the 4X4 version has a longer pickup on the filter body.

 

[96eb96]

if you have a flashing o/d light, then you likely have codes that can be read to give you an idea of your problem... maybe. I just had mine read at a trans shop.... 731 ... slippage. I am still pondering on what to do as the $$$ option is a tough swallow especially on a 96.

Is your fluid/filter in good shape?

 

[Sheriff]

I wouldn't recoommend using a FRAM filter on a lawnmower. Something about them not having a flow back valve like
Motorcraft or OEM filters, using paper end caps, using plastic parts, etc....

Read all about them here.....

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html

 

[96eb96]

I wouldn't recoommend using a FRAM filter on a lawnmower. Something about them not having a flow back valve like
Motorcraft or OEM filters, using paper end caps, using plastic parts, etc....

Read all about them here.....

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html

Fram oil filters are terrible but someone on this site proved that a Motocraft Transmission filter is equivalent to a Fram one(It is the Motorcraft OEM). A trans filter has a special Microfelt element and is different from an oil filter.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//archive/index.php/t-140840.html

 

[budwich]

96eb96... fluid (and filter) changed in oct... cause I was hearing "grinding" sometimes in 1-2 shifts for about "1 wheel turn".... it sounded like it was coming from the front with maybe auto hubs locking up.... but shifting manually into 1st versus "D" seemed to remove the "grind occasion" so I thought I should drop the pan for a look / see. Good news was there was nothing bad there just fluid and "normal clutch dust". Anyways, with the cold, at the start of Dec, I noticed a slow to shift to "D" and / or manual 1st... not good. And on a drive to a store, got flashing o/d for the first time.... headed home. Check the fluid, was at the bottom of the cross-hatch so I added a bit along with a 125 ml "conditioner" with hopes that would help (and hopefully not hurt). Took it in to get the code read and their test drive indicated slippage but no "gearing issues"... at least on the "free analysis". They want $400 to drop the trans for a closer look...:-( that's where I sit. I took it back home for now as I not going to use it much for a while. Someone told me to disconnect the battery to reset things as perhaps the fluids were low and the computer did its best to compensate with increased pressure flows until the o/d happened. It appears to be shifting better.

Sorry for the "post theft".... now back to the original poster. I would get the codes read to see if they give you any clues and as someone suggested, maybe "top up your fluid"

 

[casey480]

I had a heat problem when i took a rock through the radiator. I replaced the radiator, and changed out the gasket and filter in the automatic transmission. I now have an intermittent shifting problem, sometimes when i start the engine in the morning and drive to work, the tranny shifts through all 4 gears just fine. Other times, it shifts from 1st to 2nd, and going from 2nd to 3rd it revs up and i have to let off to complete the shift other times it bumps when it shifts. Sometimes when i back up the transmission will not go into reverse, other times it goes into reverse immediately and works as it should. Engine and transmission
have 140 k miles

Need help

I had the EXACT problem with the EXACT truck you have. It went on for years. Always intermittent, tried topping off the ATF a few times, but I could never correlate the problem with anything else (weather, fluid level, etc)

A few months ago I noticed my radiator fluid was frothy. FIgured my block was cracked and it was a long slow wait until the whole engine died. What ended up happening is that over two days the transmission went out entirely and the OD light started blinking. Had it taken to a transmisison shop, and they told me that the ATF fluid was mixing with coolant in the radiator, causing the whole tranny to go up in smoke. They replaced both the tranny and the radiator, and now it shifts smooth as silk.

I have no idea if the shifting problem was cumulative, caused by a slow mixing of the fluids, or if replacing the radiator and flushing the fluid would have saved me the 2k rebuild and I would have been left with a spottily shifting transmission.

Take this story as you will.

 

[budwich]

I would second the "transmission / rad fluid story"... especially with your "luck" on the rad (ie. stone). Make sure your trans fluid is the right color and doesn't have any "milky" / water problems from contamination which can cause a problem.

 

[casey480]

I would second the "transmission / rad fluid story"... especially with your "luck" on the rad (ie. stone). Make sure your trans fluid is the right color and doesn't have any "milky" / water problems from contamination which can cause a problem.

And if you do, flush flush flush both systems after the radiator is replaced.

 

[96eb96]

And if you do, flush flush flush both systems after the radiator is replaced.

Another thing to check..did you burp the 4.0 Engine properly from air when you installed the radiator? Does the issue happen only when hot? I read something here about a trans problem related to a low coolant level, heat, and intermittent transmission problems. I'm curious...what brand of radiator did you buy? I read some cheap overseas ones do not exchange heat well.