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2.3L ('83-'97) Plenty of Problems Popping Up: Just The Beginning


SadieJ709

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I'm going to start out with the most recent problem that has popped up for the first time last night!
Just last night actually/unfortunetly........
I went to pick up a friend who needed my help with a little moving and obviously I was more than happy to help
When I arrived to pick my friend up I had put my truck in park like anyone probably would have
Well.... when I went to shift it out of park it just wouldn't do it no matter how hard I tried
I ended up having to turn Rudy (my Ranger) completely off, then on, without starting the engine, was finally able to shift again so I shifted to nuetral, turned the engine back on, and smoothly shifted to reverse then drive like nothing ever happened and drove back home.
at first I will was thinking it had just gotten stuck because it felt like i rolled into the small dip but when I went to turn play truck back on after getting home, parking & coming inside, I had to start the same way again... So I tested it one more time and sure enough I just start it again the same way.
Anybody have any idea what might be the problem?​
 
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Uncle Gump

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Sounds like the brake/transmission shift interlock.

First thing to do is ensure your brake lights work.
 

Dirtman

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On the steering column there is a bracket that holds the shift lever linkage in place. It gets loose and the shifter get sloppy or stuck. Just needs to be tightened up.


OR I have seen the digital range sensor, sometimes mistakenly referred to as the neutral safety switch (the part on the side of the transmission attached to the shift lever shaft) get frozen up.

OR Like gump said, the brake interlock is failing.
 

SadieJ709

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just checked and brake lights do not work right now.
Also gonna check my transmission fluid per my brothers suggestion.
I've been having problems with my regular tail lights/run lights (whatever you wanna call them) but usually that was just a blown fuse that I replaced and they would work fine again
 

SadieJ709

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and just now when I was checking the brake lights, my brakes became harder to press as well
what's going on here?!
 

Uncle Gump

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If you were pumping the brake pedal with the engine not running... the pedal should get harder. Each application will use the vacuum left in the brake booster. Start it up and see if the pedal feels more "normal".
 

SadieJ709

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Yeah I remember that after I posted that reply lol
 

rumblecloud

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just checked and brake lights do not work right now.
Also gonna check my transmission fluid per my brothers suggestion.
I've been having problems with my regular tail lights/run lights (whatever you wanna call them) but usually that was just a blown fuse that I replaced and they would work fine again
What do you mean "usually"? Does that mean you have been having probs and have replaced the fuse before? And if so, how many times? The two problems may not be related, nonetheless this info might help.
 

SadieJ709

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yes I've had to replace the fuse before
hell multiple different fuses for multiple different problems lol
the tail lights i have replaced the fuse for maybe 3-4 times Max but even 4 sounds like too many times so I'll go with 3
 

SadieJ709

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Rudy wouldn't start up last night... First the shifting problem and then he wouldn't start. I gotta get this figured out! I just got his transmission done maybe 6 months ago at the most. Wtf! Someone help me please I can't let him for!
 

Dirtman

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You have a short circuit somewhere in the brake/tail lights. Fuses don't blow unless there's a problem so if you've replaced it more than once there's an issue. But thats "probably" a different issue.

If you move/jiggle the shifter will it start? Try neutral instead of park and see if it will start. Hell see if it will start with the shifter in all positions. This will verify a bad DRS or misaligned shift linkage.
 

rumblecloud

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Hey SadieJ,
What was "done" to it about six months ago?

First, don't panic. As Dirtman said, fuses don't blow just because. They are there to protect other downstream components. Something is causing it - whether it's related or not, it doesn't sound like it, but who knows?
In order to help, members are gonna ask questions - especially about the transmission -- such as , What was "done" to it about six months ago?
We know you need Rudy back on the road and the smart people here will help you get it there.
 

Uncle Gump

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Inquiring minds want to know if the engine would crank and not start... or it wouldn't crank at all.
 

SadieJ709

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So I learned/remembered that Rudy does NOT like the cold AT ALL. He started right up this morning after the frost of the night was gone. He has also been kept in garages before he became mine and now, unfortunetly, we don't have the luxury of a garage so I may need to get him a cover
 

SadieJ709

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Watauga, TX
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
None
Total Drop
None
and to answer your question, yes he would crank he just wouldn't turn over

my next question is: what would cause him to make a whirring sound whenever I turn the wheel? or is this normal in 22y/o Ford Rangers?

and I know I'm super late with this info but here is Rudy's VIN#
1FTCR14X2VTA75093
 

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