2003 5sp problems


Dennis upyourkia

Dennis upyourkia

15+ Year Member

Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Messages
10
Points
3,101
Vehicle Year
2003
Transmission
Manual
Hello. My boy has a 2003 Ranger 4x4, 4.0 with a 5sp trans. It is extremely difficult to get it into 1st and 2nd gear when at a stand still, when it is moving every thing works fine. I am thinking it's the slave sylinder but before we jump into it I was wondering if others have had this problem and could it be something simpler. Any help with this is gladly appreciated.

Thanks, Dennis
 
Ummm... no, there ARE other possibilities, the slave is simply most probable.

Check through this post
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23820

Maybe changing the fluid back to straight Mercon could help (if it's got Mercon-V in it).

Also, just saw a report of a bad pilot bearing causing something like this too.
 
Last edited:
a 2003 is new enough to be rated to run on mercon5, but it's still likely shift better on mercon3.

As for "other possibilities" the pilot bearing can also be a source of trouble.

AD
 
I guess I should have mentioned that the fluid is up. Slave cylinder or pilot bearing the trans tans to come out either way. I did a clutch on a 85 not to long ago, I guess I should have him get everything for a complete clutch job.

Thanks, Dennis
 
I just read through the posts that 4x4junkie listed and it sounds like this is a comon problem, does anyone know if Ford as a service bulliton out on this?

Dennis
 
I haven't heard of one myself...
From what I've read here & there, Ford seems extremely adamant about the fluid being fully compatible now, yet barely over a year ago Ford strongly warned the fluid was NOT compatible, and that damage may occur and warranties would be voided if you used it :rolleyes:
Why the 180° reversal is beyond me...
GM seems to be in on the game too, as their Dextron III spec fluid was basically the same thing, and they also pulled all permissions for fluid manufacturers to use that name on the product as well.



Last I checked, 2008 was the 1st year to recommend Mercon V in the M5OD, not 2003 (the autos began requiring it in '97 IIRC). There wouldn't be any harm in changing the fluid to straight Mercon-spec stuff on a '03 if the problem can't be found elsewhere.
 
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