- Joined
- Oct 10, 2021
- Messages
- 9
- Points
- 1
- City
- Louisville
- State - Country
- KY - USA
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 2WD
- Engine
- 3.0 V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
I have a 1999 Ranger XLT V6 3.0L, 4R44E with only 128,000 miles. Bought in 2001, as 2nd owner, half of the miles are mine.
On a 3 mile trip to the grocery the engine began to buck slightly, and generally run rough. By the time I reached the store the engine was racing slightly. I turned it off and went into the store. When I came out it would not start. Once I found and replaced a blown fuel pump fuse it started and the check engine light was on. It ran rough driving back home. Once I reached my street I let off the accelerator and it began to buck again. Once home and the groceries put away, I went back out and the truck started right up. The idle was a bit rough but acceleration seemed smooth. I plugged in my ODBII code scanner and found a DTC P0118 code, engine coolant temp sensor.
I replaced the coolant temp sensor and the fuel filter. I checked and found no codes and when started, the truck seemed to run normally. During a slow spin around the neighborhood the O/D light started blinking. Pressing the button had no effect. It took longer than normal to shift into second gear and when it did it shifted hard. Realizing there was still an issue I stopped, turned around and headed back home. The O/D light by now had gone out and it wouldn't shift out of first gear. Acceleration seemed to cause slippage rather than shifting so I let it idle back home. Checking for additional codes, this time I found a P0500, variable speed sensor.
Once I replaced the VSS on the differential the code disappeared. I again went for a test run. The O/D light was not blinking and the truck would not shift out of first gear. Starting in 1st and manually shifting to 2nd works but when I shift to 3rd I get nothing, like putting it in neutral.
I took it to a nearby shop who kept it overnight. They called the next day and said to come get it, diagnosing electrical and transmission issues, neither of which they were willing to work on. I suspect the problem is electrical, due to a short, possibly in the steering column because for quite some time the wipers have come on occasionally when turning the steering wheel in either direction, or when using the turn signal in either direction. They always stop after a wipe or two, and they've always worked when I needed them so I ignored it for a bit. Once I replaced the multi-function switch, the issue remained.
Also for a while there has been a pre-existing parasitic drain. If the truck sits for more than a week or two the battery will be dead. I have been disconnecting the negative battery cable when I return home from any trip. I'll be attempting to diagnose with a meter once I resolve this more pressing issue.
The current symptoms are:
Transmission doesn't shift.
Speedometer doesn't work.
The emergency flashers work but the turn signals don't.
Switching the turn signal in either direction instead activates the wipers.
On starting, the O/D light will occasionally blink. When it does, the transmission will shift, no blinking, no shifting.
As far as I can tell everything else is working normally. I have tried to solve this myself as I'm a senior and my financial situation is less than ideal. I enjoy problem solving, but I'm out of my depth and need some guidance on how to track down this short, or alternatively what else it might be. Today I began wondering if it might be worthwhile to pull the multi-function switch to see if it makes a difference.
In case it isn't obvious I am not driving the truck except for testing. I apologize for the post length but it seemed pertinent to include as much info as possible.
TL;DR:
1999 Ranger XLT 3.0L 4R44E
Transmission doesn't shift
Speedometer doesn't work
Turn signals don't work but flashers do
Switching the turn signal left or right activates the wipers
O/D light will occasionally blink. If blinking, the transmission shifts. No blinking light, no shifting
On a 3 mile trip to the grocery the engine began to buck slightly, and generally run rough. By the time I reached the store the engine was racing slightly. I turned it off and went into the store. When I came out it would not start. Once I found and replaced a blown fuel pump fuse it started and the check engine light was on. It ran rough driving back home. Once I reached my street I let off the accelerator and it began to buck again. Once home and the groceries put away, I went back out and the truck started right up. The idle was a bit rough but acceleration seemed smooth. I plugged in my ODBII code scanner and found a DTC P0118 code, engine coolant temp sensor.
I replaced the coolant temp sensor and the fuel filter. I checked and found no codes and when started, the truck seemed to run normally. During a slow spin around the neighborhood the O/D light started blinking. Pressing the button had no effect. It took longer than normal to shift into second gear and when it did it shifted hard. Realizing there was still an issue I stopped, turned around and headed back home. The O/D light by now had gone out and it wouldn't shift out of first gear. Acceleration seemed to cause slippage rather than shifting so I let it idle back home. Checking for additional codes, this time I found a P0500, variable speed sensor.
Once I replaced the VSS on the differential the code disappeared. I again went for a test run. The O/D light was not blinking and the truck would not shift out of first gear. Starting in 1st and manually shifting to 2nd works but when I shift to 3rd I get nothing, like putting it in neutral.
I took it to a nearby shop who kept it overnight. They called the next day and said to come get it, diagnosing electrical and transmission issues, neither of which they were willing to work on. I suspect the problem is electrical, due to a short, possibly in the steering column because for quite some time the wipers have come on occasionally when turning the steering wheel in either direction, or when using the turn signal in either direction. They always stop after a wipe or two, and they've always worked when I needed them so I ignored it for a bit. Once I replaced the multi-function switch, the issue remained.
Also for a while there has been a pre-existing parasitic drain. If the truck sits for more than a week or two the battery will be dead. I have been disconnecting the negative battery cable when I return home from any trip. I'll be attempting to diagnose with a meter once I resolve this more pressing issue.
The current symptoms are:
Transmission doesn't shift.
Speedometer doesn't work.
The emergency flashers work but the turn signals don't.
Switching the turn signal in either direction instead activates the wipers.
On starting, the O/D light will occasionally blink. When it does, the transmission will shift, no blinking, no shifting.
As far as I can tell everything else is working normally. I have tried to solve this myself as I'm a senior and my financial situation is less than ideal. I enjoy problem solving, but I'm out of my depth and need some guidance on how to track down this short, or alternatively what else it might be. Today I began wondering if it might be worthwhile to pull the multi-function switch to see if it makes a difference.
In case it isn't obvious I am not driving the truck except for testing. I apologize for the post length but it seemed pertinent to include as much info as possible.
TL;DR:
1999 Ranger XLT 3.0L 4R44E
Transmission doesn't shift
Speedometer doesn't work
Turn signals don't work but flashers do
Switching the turn signal left or right activates the wipers
O/D light will occasionally blink. If blinking, the transmission shifts. No blinking light, no shifting
