1991 Ranger transmission

[Pete_Ranger91]

Hi my name is Peter and I'm new to this forum but I already have a problem I'd like to get ya'll opinion on. I have a 1991 Ford Ranger and recently when I start it up cold (after its been sitting for a couple hours) it doesn't go into first gear and sometimes second (its an automatic). I press the gas and the RPMs go up but the transmission doesn't engage and it feels like the truck is in neutral. After a couple seconds of me revving the engine and cursing it jolts into gear. This happens for the first 4 or 5 times I try and go into 1st or 2nd gear when driving but after it is driven for a couple minutes and i go in and out of the gears multiple times its fine until I turn it off and leave it for a couple hours. If I turn it off and use it within an hour or so it won't happen and drives like normal. Anyway, let me know if any of ya'll have had this problem or if you know what it might be. The transmission isnt even 2 years old so I would hope I don't need to replace it. Fluid level looks good too, maybe a little dirty but its not low.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Are you checking the fluid level when the truck is warm?

are you running the transmission through the gears and holding it in those gears for a few seconds and then back to park before checking? P > R > D > R > P

smell the fluid on the dipstick, does it smell burnt?

if the fluid looks a bit dirty try changing the fluid and the filter.

The most common cause of slipping is low fluid level.

AJ

 

[97RangerXLT]

and whatever you do... don't let it slam or jerk into gear... that is rather hard on the transmission.

AJ

 

[enjr44]

Sounds like low fluid to me. After it sits for a while the fluid drains out of the converter. When low on fluid it has to fill the converter before it will go into gear/move.

Fix/service it or you will be buying a new transmission!!!

 

[Pete_Ranger91]

Thanks y'all I'm gonna replace the filter, gasket and fluid ASAP. Hopefully that will do the trick. Its a pain in the ass to pull out into a street and have the transmission refuse to go into 1st and just be sitting there in an intersection revving the engine waiting for it to go into gear so I can move out of the way