Stuck in 4th,

big_o7 · Jul 29, 2009

I've got a 94 ranger 4x4 5spd, i was driving home yesterday and i was shifting to overdrive and went to 4th and that where it stayed, any ideas.....i know a syncro is shot, but i need ideas on what to do next.......thanks guys.......big

ati190 · Jul 29, 2009

well, stuck in 4th isn't a good sign. If your shifter bushings are intact, and it's locked in gear its internal. It's a possibility a roll pin in the top cover slid in the wrong place, preventing you from leaving the 4th position.. 4th gear isn't actually a "gear", it's a collar that locks the input/tail shaft together. In other words 4th gear is actually a "direct drive". If above mentioned isn't it, you have a catastrophic failure somewhere. How's the fluid level, and color? After checking everything you can externally, fluid (to determine level, color,or any chunks), shifter bushings, you need to get the top cover off the trans and have a look see.

ati190

DRanger88 · Jul 29, 2009

i had this happen to my 88 ford ranger it was the synchro inside the top plate of the tranny i just took that off and put a screw driver down in there and popped it right back into place and it was fine..

AllanD · Jul 30, 2009

DRanger88 said:
i had this happen to my 88 ford ranger it was the synchro inside the top plate of the tranny i just took that off and put a screw driver down in there and popped it right back into place and it was fine..

that should be "shift fork" and the FM146 was know for having "soft" detents
that allowed the shift rails to move if the truck was jolted. and that would lock up the trans

a "Sychro" is a rotating part.

As to the OP's question... There is nothing I can say that's going to make you happy.

a Mazda trans that's "locked in 4th" is about the worst sign there is.

Drain the fluid, if it comes out red and reasonably clear there may be hope for it.

Personally I'd expect the fluid to come out black and smelling like
"Liquid car fire smoke"

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Stuck in 4th,

big_o7

15+ Year Member

ati190

15+ Year Member

DRanger88

10+ Year Member

AllanD

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