02 4.0 transmission issue

[Charliequa]

I have an 02 4.0 xlt 2wd and 1st and 2nd gear shift fine but whenever it’s in drive it seems like it is in neutral, I checked the fluid and it is brown and burnt smelling, any ideas on what the issue could be?

 

[franklin2]

Sounds serious. If you want to spend some money, you can change the fluid and the filter. I have had transmissions recover sometimes by doing that when the fluid is burnt. But it may be a waste of money also, you never know unless you try it. Alternative is another transmission.

 

[RonD]

I have an 02 4.0 xlt 2wd and 1st and 2nd gear shift fine but whenever it’s in drive it seems like it is in neutral, I checked the fluid and it is brown and burnt smelling, any ideas on what the issue could be?

Welcome to TRS

Classic symptoms of a failed Sprag(one-way clutch)
No movement in D but will start to move in 1 or 2 and then can be shifted to D and stay moving

In D only the Sprag is used to get vehicle moving, if it is broken the no movement, like Neutral
In 1 or 2 the Coast Clutch is also engaged which is why you will start to move

Requires full rebuild to replace a sprag

If you want to replace the trans with a used one, it must be from a 2001-2011 4.0l Ranger or Mazda B4000, and 2WD, 4x4 trans can't be used or converted to 2WD

 

[mikkelstuff]

Just curious as to how many miles on that transmission and has the fluid been changed regularly (say at 30,000 mile increments) if at all.

 

[Charliequa]

Just curious as to how many miles on that transmission and has the fluid been changed regularly (say at 30,000 mile increments) if at all.

202,000 as far as I’m aware, I haven’t had the truck long, and I’m unsure of how often the fluid was changed

 

[mikkelstuff]

Good. Hopefully I can get another 70,000 miles out of my 2002 Ranger transmission.

 

[sgtsandman]

Based on how the general population takes care of their vehicles, I'm betting not a single fluid has been changed in that truck other than the engine oil.

I would try changing the fluid and filter, drive it a little. Do another fluid change and drive it a little. Do a third fluid change and replace the filter again. Some have been able to resurrect a failing transmission doing that but expect the possibility that there may be a transmission repair or change in your future as well.