1994 B3000 Manual Issue. Shift Linkage? Transmission? Clutch?

[Research Rat]

I could use some help from you experts here in diagnosing an issue:

Truck: 1994 B3000 V6. Manual.

Sometimes shifting into first is impossible-typically this occurs when shifting out of reverse when backing up, but also has occured at stop lights. With clutch pedal depressed, shifter fails to find first. Letting off and re-depressign clutch pedal and then "forcing" gear shift in first typically results in finding first. Shifting from first all the way up to 5th is no issue. Shifting downward through gears is not an issue. The issue has been intermittent, but has increased in frequency in the last weeks. It's not a daily driver and really only used on weekends.

Is this a shift linkage issue? Or a clutch issue? Or a transmission issue?

Thanks in advance.
-Scott

 

[kart45]

My 2000 does the same thing. Usually in a parking lot or trying to back a trailer in to my driveway...

I am led to believe its the clutch master cyl. and hydraulic "circuit". Its an intermittent problem like you say, and from what I've heard, servicing the clutch hydraulic system on Rangers isn't much fun so I've just been living with it. If I come up with a couple hundred extra bucks for new parts and a free weekend afternoon, I might be inclined to throw her on the lift and fix it... Otherwise I just turn the truck off and put it in the desired gear, crank it back up and go on with my day... lol...

 

[Research Rat]

Kart,
Is this a widespread issue with our trucks? Any reading you can point me to on this?

What's the fix? Replace the clutch master? What other parts are involved?

-Scott

My 2000 does the same thing. Usually in a parking lot or trying to back a trailer in to my driveway...

I am led to believe its the clutch master cyl. and hydraulic "circuit". Its an intermittent problem like you say, and from what I've heard, servicing the clutch hydraulic system on Rangers isn't much fun so I've just been living with it. If I come up with a couple hundred extra bucks for new parts and a free weekend afternoon, I might be inclined to throw her on the lift and fix it... Otherwise I just turn the truck off and put it in the desired gear, crank it back up and go on with my day... lol...

 

[Eaglefixer]

need to check the fluid level in your Clutch Master cylinder reservoir which is located under the hood near your Brake master cylinder.. Its small and should have a round cap. if its low that is an sign of a leak in your system. More then likely its the slave Cylinder. There is a rubber plug on the transmission that you can remove and look inside to see the slave cylinder and have someone push the clutch in while watching for leaks.

 

[mp3deviant721]

If it is a clutch issue, it would be in all gears. My transmission does this too. I was guessing first gear synchro on mine. In my head it makes sense. Anybody wanna shed some light on this?

 

[Eaglefixer]

My 96 ranger had the same shifting problems which was hard shifting between 1 and 2nd gears. I changed my clutch and pressure plate along with my slave cylinder and throw out bearing. Had a hard time bleeding the clutch master cylinder but got it bled. Well long story short i had to change the slave cylinder 3 times and the clutch master cylinder twice but removed and bled it 5 times before i really found my problem which was the clutch/brake pedal pivot bracket which had a elongate hole where the shaft rotated and was only on the clutch pedal side which caused a short pedal throw so the clutch wasn't engaging properly. here's a link of my old bracket http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67723

 

[Explorin94]

I could use some help from you experts here in diagnosing an issue:

Truck: 1994 B3000 V6. Manual.

Sometimes shifting into first is impossible-typically this occurs when shifting out of reverse when backing up, but also has occured at stop lights. With clutch pedal depressed, shifter fails to find first. Letting off and re-depressign clutch pedal and then "forcing" gear shift in first typically results in finding first. Shifting from first all the way up to 5th is no issue. Shifting downward through gears is not an issue. The issue has been intermittent, but has increased in frequency in the last weeks. It's not a daily driver and really only used on weekends.

Is this a shift linkage issue? Or a clutch issue? Or a transmission issue?

Thanks in advance.
-Scott

How many miles are on the truck? How long have you had it? Did the previous owner have a clutch put in it?
Describe failing to find first....as in not going into first, like the shifter has just stopped and won't go into gear? If the transmission up shifts and down shifts without a problem then there is no internal problems with the transmission. Usually when there is an internal transmission problem it will make noises in every gear expect sometimes 4th, which is a straight through. If it is failing to go into first after a stop or straight from reverse then you either have a bad clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder or a worn out clutch. There is no shifter linkage to adjust as it is internal of the transmission. But don't force it into gear as you may break the shift fork associated with first and second gear.

 

[Research Rat]

Brett,

The truck has 95k miles, I've owned it since August of this year so about 4 months. I believe I'm the 3rd owner and previous owner had owned it for some time. The truck unfortunately did not come with maintenance records so I can't comment if parts are original. Given the low miles per year, I'd guess it's all original.

I would describe the issue of Not going into First as when I push the shift lever into where first gear should be, there is resistance, gear does not engage, and I have to "muscle" the lever in. Sometimes double/triple engaging the clutch pedal helps. I've also found that starting in second gear and then dropping into first helps. The issue occurs typically in neutral to first, but has also occured with neutral to reverse. Shifting up and down through gears is no issue either.

I don't think I've been losing clutch fluid, so don't suspect a leak. I've not heard any noises in shifting through the gears.

-Scott

How many miles are on the truck? How long have you had it? Did the previous owner have a clutch put in it?
Describe failing to find first....as in not going into first, like the shifter has just stopped and won't go into gear? If the transmission up shifts and down shifts without a problem then there is no internal problems with the transmission. Usually when there is an internal transmission problem it will make noises in every gear expect sometimes 4th, which is a straight through. If it is failing to go into first after a stop or straight from reverse then you either have a bad clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder or a worn out clutch. There is no shifter linkage to adjust as it is internal of the transmission. But don't force it into gear as you may break the shift fork associated with first and second gear.

 

[Research Rat]

Holy crap!

Where exactly does that bracket reside? Exposed on the bottom of the frame?

-Scott

My 96 ranger had the same shifting problems which was hard shifting between 1 and 2nd gears. I changed my clutch and pressure plate along with my slave cylinder and throw out bearing. Had a hard time bleeding the clutch master cylinder but got it bled. Well long story short i had to change the slave cylinder 3 times and the clutch master cylinder twice but removed and bled it 5 times before i really found my problem which was the clutch/brake pedal pivot bracket which had a elongate hole where the shaft rotated and was only on the clutch pedal side which caused a short pedal throw so the clutch wasn't engaging properly. here's a link of my old bracket http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67723

 

[ChrisR1S]

If its difficult to get into first and also is difficult to get into reverse or grinds into reverse, get prepared to drop the transmission and install a new slave cylinder

 

[Eaglefixer]

have you checked your fluid level yet?

 

[Explorin94]

Brett,

The truck has 95k miles, I've owned it since August of this year so about 4 months. I believe I'm the 3rd owner and previous owner had owned it for some time. The truck unfortunately did not come with maintenance records so I can't comment if parts are original. Given the low miles per year, I'd guess it's all original.

I would describe the issue of Not going into First as when I push the shift lever into where first gear should be, there is resistance, gear does not engage, and I have to "muscle" the lever in. Sometimes double/triple engaging the clutch pedal helps. I've also found that starting in second gear and then dropping into first helps. The issue occurs typically in neutral to first, but has also occured with neutral to reverse. Shifting up and down through gears is no issue either.

I don't think I've been losing clutch fluid, so don't suspect a leak. I've not heard any noises in shifting through the gears.

-Scott

Scott...it sounds like your clutch or slave cylibder is weak. Might as well drop the transmission and replace both. But before you do that.......there is a rubber inspection plug on the bottom of the driverside. Pull it and see how much crap is in there. Main thing is look for dust and clutch fibers.

 

[Research Rat]

Do you have pic/diagram showing the plug? And is it just a view portal, or is it a drain?

I can imagine dropping the transmission is going to be spendy.

-Scott

Scott...it sounds like your clutch or slave cylibder is weak. Might as well drop the transmission and replace both. But before you do that.......there is a rubber inspection plug on the bottom of the driverside. Pull it and see how much crap is in there. Main thing is look for dust and clutch fibers.

 

[ChrisR1S]

Its just a big rubber plug in the bellhousing area of the transmission on the driverside. its like 2"x3" i think, it just pulls right out allowing you to take a look into the bell to see the clutch and slave.

 

[kdowney50]

I just finished pulling, rebuilding and replacing my transmission. If you only have problems shifting into first gear, the problem is most likely the first gear synchronizer. However, before you have it rebuilt, do as the others suggest and check out the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. Pull the rubber inspection plug on the bell housing and inspect for leakage.

Dropping the tranny is not impossible if you have the right tools and a place to do it.

I bought a rebuild kit for mine for $280.00. Out here on the east coast, a used tranny runs about $350.00. A complete rebuild runs about $700.00. Pick your poison.