Hard/Delayed 1-2 shift help

[cody.conner12]

Hey guys, my 1989 ranger with a 1991 3.0 engine and tranny( A4LD ) is having problems! The 1-2 shift is hesitant and hard! The more throttle I give it, the longer it'll take before it shifts. It's gotten all the way to 5K rpms before. I usually have to get up about 20 mph( around 3K rpm) then let all the way off the gas, then when I get back into it'll be in 2nd gear. All other gears shift fine, but I do believe that it's skips 4th gear when in OD. It goes from 3K rpm(about 40 mph in 3rd if I'm correct) to about 1800 rpm. But I can put it in drive and I can tell it hits fourth from 3rd gear. I'm only 16, but I love working on vehicles and this is my first truck.


It's been doin this for awhile, I just haven't been able to come up with a solution! I've read that it could be the govenor, but I'd rather try something else a little easier and cheaper to get too.

Today I replaced the modulator valve, which didn't fix anything! The amount of fluid is correct, no problems getting into gear or reverse. A guy at advance auto parts told me that to him it sounds like a shift solenoid. Does it sound more like a solenoid or is it the govenor? Or if anyone could lead me in the right direction all help would be appreciated! Thanks!

- Cody

 

[jhammel85]

Sounds more likely to me that it's the Governor. I took mine out and replaced it with a new (to me) one and a heaver weight. The weight was a 35mm weight that's just a little bit bigger to keep it from Binding up.

 

[cody.conner12]

Where's the govenor located? How difficult would you say it is to change/replace? Thanks so much!

 

[jhammel85]

If its a 4x4,its behind the transfercase. You just drop it down after removing the crossmember. Its right in there.

Google a4ld governor replacement and you'll find a link to an explorer site where its outlined. You might be able to just take your old one off and clean it.

 

[jhammel85]

Oh and if it helps, you can shift to first, run it up to 2500 rpm and shift to drive. It'll shift then. Sometimes it'll loosen it up enough to where it won't stick anymore but usually, it'll have to be removed, cleaned and lightly sanded to fix it.