Trouble engaging

dbraddock88 · Aug 12, 2008

Hi All,
I have a 1994, 4x2, 5 speed, 2.3, no thrills ranger. Just rolled 105k. I am having trouble shifting into any gear when the vehicle is stopped (red light, stop sighns or first taking off). Basically when I first take off from , I will clutch in and try to shift into first and it wont allow me, I will go back to neutral and then ALWAYS on the second try it lets me put it in gear without any trouble until I come to a stop where I have to shift to neutral and release the clutch for a little while until its time to go again. Any suggestions as to why it won't let me put it in gear after the first attempt?

Jason_12_02 · Aug 13, 2008

I have an '02 2wd 4.0L 5spd with 88,000. it does the same exact thing. Rolling is perfect, but sitting still is a pain. If anyone has a simple fix, I would love to know as well.

dbraddock88 · Aug 13, 2008

hm, to answer my own question, someone has told me that there is a clutch bolt(?) that has to be adjusted, another person told that theere is a clutch bearing that might be going bad which will require pulling the tranny off (very expensive). I recently bought the truck and thinking maybe its just the old fluid thats effecting this. Do you when was the last time you had the tranny fluid flushed?

Jason_12_02 · Aug 13, 2008

it was changed at about 30k. that is right before i bought the truck. i thought about it a time or two but haven't done it again yet. it could be the release bearing i guess. i really dont want to change that! its like something just ain't lining up exactly right. ill ask some mechanic buddies of mine to see what i can get out of them.

Earl43P · Aug 14, 2008

Classic symptoms that your clutch slave cylinder is going bad. You might try pumping the clutch several times.

It's not that hard to remove these trannies to replace the slave. Especially the 4 bangers. The V6's have exhaust Y-pipe interference.

dbraddock88 · Aug 16, 2008

replaced the fluid, nothing happened. Looks like I am going to spend $800 on the clutch kit , bearing and clutch slave cylinder.

4x4junkie · Aug 16, 2008

The clutch is usually the case for 'not going into gear' issues (especially if the truck wants to creep forward), although try this (just to rule it out):

Lightly hold pressure against the stick while putting it in 1st gear and see if it easily drops right in after a couple seconds. If it drops in, then it's NOT the clutch, it might be because the trans has Mercon V fluid in it where it originally called for straight Mercon.

Ford's been playing some games with these fluids recently, claiming the V is "now fully compatible" with earlier non-V applications, but this just isn't so. There's been many poor shift quality reports on these transmissions as well when "V" is used in it.

My buddy's Ranger has been doing this for awhile now and I strongly suspect this is the case, as it started doing it not long after he had the fluid changed at a quick-lube place.

Failing that, then I'd definitely turn my attention to the clutch.

Jason_12_02 · Aug 17, 2008

That is exactly what mine is doing. i dont know what fluid mine has in it as it was changed right before i bought it. So, did changing the fluid fix his problem? Just go with the dex/merc and not the mercon V? Is there any additive that will help it?

rboyer · Aug 17, 2008

Just remember that totally disregarding the possibility of a slave cylinder will almost always lead to more time/money being spent on irrelevant diagnosis. If you change out the transmission fluid and bleed the clutch several times and it's still not going into first gear properly then it may be worth considering getting a new slave cylinder before it decides to pop. For some people it could be used as an advantage anyway. If you have alot of miles on your clutch then that can be changed when you have the transmission out. Also since the transmission will be setting right out in the open you can install steel plugs in place of the pesky rubber shift rail plugs to prevent future leakage.

Jason_12_02 · Aug 18, 2008

are they known for weak slave cylinders? could the slave keep it from engaging for a few seconds and then let it fall into gear. Mine acts exactly like what 4X4junkie described.

4x4junkie · Aug 18, 2008

If the trans goes into gear easily (just takes a few seconds), it's NOT the slave or anything else in the clutch.

Changing the fluid should help, yes. It might possibly take a few miles for the old fluid coating the synchros to wear away before the shifting returns to normal though, not sure.

Clutch slave issues are not uncommon, although the vast majority of them can be avoided by simply flushing out the master cyl and the clutch line before installing it (you really should do this with ANY system that operates with fluid in it). There will usually be some debris floating in there that'll just ruin the new part if you don't flush it out.

dbraddock88 · Aug 19, 2008

I took it to the shop and had the fluid replace, I know I have gone through almost a tank of gas since the flush and its still the same. I figured I will just ride it out since replacing the clutch slave cylinder is very labor exPensive. My shop will do the whole clutch kit with new bearing and clutch slave cyilynder INCLUDING labor for $800. I have also noticed that for about an extra $500 (on top of the original $800) I can go with a rebuild tranny w/ new clutch kit. Time will tell.
P.S. I am not sure what fluid they used.

rboyer · Aug 19, 2008

It's too bad you're not close to my area or something. I just did a clutch kit/slave for someone for 600 total. And to top it off I actually have 2.3 2wd transmissions laying around right now. Just from the fact that you only have 105k I really don't think you need a transmission though, especially if the thing has been properly lubricated for most of it's life. I don't know how mechanically inclined you are but if you have the right tools laying around it's not really that hard to swap out a clutch in a 4cyl Ranger, especially the 2wd ones (no transfer case to worry about).

dbraddock88 · Aug 19, 2008

Not sure where you are, but I am in Norther VA/DC area. I can do the swap myself but I dont have the tools and my apartment complex frauns upon those who work on their cars on the property. I know I dont have to go with the new tranny nor do I mechanically need to, but cost wise its only an extra $200-300 for a rebuild trans vs just replacing the clutch kit on the old one so I might as well do it. I will just ride out the old one and go with the rebuild trans when its time.

There is a guy in my apartment building that has a ranger just like mine and he just sold it for $1500 but the damn thing has 289k on it :icon_surprised:

rboyer · Aug 19, 2008

Just be careful, if it turns out that your slave cylinder is on it's way out then it could leave you without a clutch when it finally decides to pop. If you only drive across town with it then it's nothing to worry about but I don't think i'd trust the thing on a long distance trip.

Trouble engaging

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