Transmission Issue- 91 Ranger

[Edcon]

I finally found a driveshaft for my truck. I put it in last night, took it for a drive, then when I got home I went to back into my driveway, and when I went to put it in reverse, the shifter just flopped around. It won't go into 1st, 2nd, 5th, or Reverse. If I center the shifter and go up and down it will engage 3rd, and 4th. If I put it to either side, it feels like it isn't attached to anything.

Does anyone know what may have caused this?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you see if the shift cable got disconnected?

 

[dmac0923]

+1 for the shifter linkage/cable

 

[rickcdewitt]

pull the bolts on top of the tranny and take off the shifter,it should be pretty apparent with it open.

 

[Edcon]

I pulled the shifter off. All I can see from looking in there is the piece the shifter sits in does the same thing. It just flops around if I move it to either side, but if it is centered, I can lock it into 3rd and 4th.

 

[rickcdewitt]

there should be three arms with slots that have three detents.the center one puts it in third if put back neutral for the center and 4th is forward.the arm will swing left for 5th and reverse and right for 1st and 2nd(opposite of the way you swing the shifter.are the other shift rails to left and right not engaging thats what it sounds like.play with the linkage and you should be able to figure it out.

on second thought,look to see that all three arms are in the centered position as you can knock two at the same time and make it have similar sysptoms.

 

[Edcon]

Problem solved. After removing the transmission, I took off the cover that the shifter connected to, and discovered that a roll pin fell out that was holding the piece the ball of the shifter sat in to the rod in the center. Judging by the blue silicone gaskets, it was obvious someone had the transmission apart before, and more than likely reused the pin when reassembling. They must not have been able to afford the $2.99 it cost me to buy an entire assortment of new pins. Internal transmission repair is not for half-ass people, and I wish they wouldn't touch stuff when they have no idea what they are doing. Laziness on their behalf cost me 8 hours of my time removing, repairing, and installing my transmission. Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!