Transmission randomly going into neutral?

[koda6966]

Okay, so I've been having a problem lately. Every once in a while I'll go to leave with my truck and all the sudden it will just stop moving, like its in neutral. Then eventually pop into gear once I sit there or rev it a lot. Any ideas on what could be causing this? If it helps, I'll include the two most recent situations that this has happened.

Yesterday, I drove to school and everything was fine. At the end of the day the Ranger started up normal and I drove it about 20-30 feet where I had to stop to let a school bus by. When I went to go after it went past, all I got was "vroom." Knowing that this happens sometimes, I sat there for a bit and waited, then tried again, same thing. Eventually I heard a loud "clunk" and the truck lurched forward a bit, that's how I knew it finally went into gear. I had it in drive the entire time. No problems that day after that. Drove to the park, gas station, to my girlfriends, and then back home.

Today, I went to leave to go to town, backed up out of my spot and since my brother was blocking the other driveway with his Nissan (POS) I popped it into drive and went about 20 feet around a curved driveway leading to the other exit. I stopped and waited for a couple cars to drive by, then proceeded to ATTEMPT to leave the driveway, all that happened was once again the engine revved and the truck didn't act like it was in gear, but this time since I was on a slope I DID go forwards, into the middle of the road, I sat there freaking out trying to get it to go in reverse or in drive with no results at all, a bunch of cars went by thankfully on the other side of the road from the one I was partially in and then a few started coming on my side. Thankfully they went around me. After they went by, it finally popped into drive and I took off. No problems today after that. Drove to the post office and to the store, and back home only shut the truck off once.

Any ideas? My truck is a 1993 Ranger Supercab 2wd with an Auto tranny (A4LD?) and a 3.0.

[koda6966]

Bump. This really worries me.

[Bruce]

Have you check the fluid level??if fluid level is low it will cause this problem also.

[igiveup]

Hello

Originally Posted by Bruce

Have you check the fluid level??if fluid level is low it will cause this problem also.

Also when was the last time you changed the transmission filter. Have you ever adjusted your bands? A4ld have there problems.

I like mine now since I have a better setup. Its a 94 Areostar with the VB from the 85 and also has a shift correction kit installed.

igiveup

[Bent Bolt]

Originally Posted by igiveup

Hello



Also when was the last time you changed the transmission filter. Have you ever adjusted your bands? A4ld have there problems.


igiveup

Neither of those will cause the problem in question.

koda6966, check the ATF level. Is reverse OK ?? Next time it happens, pull the shifter down from O/D to D. If no change , pull it to MAN1. Post the results. That'll give a clearer picture of what is gong on.

[koda6966]

Originally Posted by Bent Bolt

Neither of those will cause the problem in question.

koda6966, check the ATF level. Is reverse OK ?? Next time it happens, pull the shifter down from O/D to D. If no change , pull it to MAN1. Post the results. That'll give a clearer picture of what is gong on.

I'm always in drive.. hate having to move the shifter over to OD. Reverse wasn't okay, it was like I was in neutral, but I was in drive. And yes, the fluid level is normal.

[Bruce]

May possibly be the oneway sprag in the converter going out, which would mean converter needs replacing..since it seems to happen in any given gear.

[koda6966]

So if that is whats wrong with it.. how bad is it/costly to fix?

[Bruce]

Cost to fix it would depend on where ya live...which i see you in NY and i dont know what labor rate is or what parts would cost there..If you gona do it yourself i would go to a parts house and see what a converter cost( you have to remember we are only taking a shot in the dark as to what is wrong) and if you gona have it done take it to A tranny shop for a quote or to see what they think it maybe and they can give a estimated cost of repair. you cost of repair

[Bent Bolt]

Originally Posted by Bruce

May possibly be the oneway sprag in the converter going out, which would mean converter needs replacing..since it seems to happen in any given gear.

No. A bad sprag in the converter won't cause a intermittent neutral condition. They either work or don't.

Hate to tell you Koda but I think you are having a pump failure. You are losing line pressure. There is a small chance that the o-ring on the filter may have failed but unless you recently replaced the filter, the chances are slim.

[koda6966]

Pump to/from what and where would it be located?