1999 Ranger with automatic transmission is no longer moving backwards in reverse

[greaseyfingers]

What do you think is wrong when a 1999 Ranger 4x4 with an automatic tranmission, is no longer moving the pickup backwards in reverse, like it should?

The person who has this 1999 Ranger 4x4, said that when he went to back it up, one day, the automatic transmission suddenly stopped working for backing it up, in reverse?

Whenever he trys to back his Ranger up in reverse, now it will barely move it backwards, on level pavement, just a few inches and then stops.

Have any of you had this happen, before, and what was the cause of the problem?

He takes really good care of his Ranger 4x4 and never beats on it, that I know of.

It's just used as a daily driver, to and from work and it's in like new condition.

 

[snomaker321]

my sister had a '95ish dodge grand caravan that the reverse went out on. It turns out a gasket on the tranny was leaking and the fluid was low. It also wouldnt go over 45mph. filled the fluid and it would go forward fine, but reverse was shot. Maybe checking the fluid level would be a good place to start

 

[cappin90]

i wouldn't drive it, mine did that one night got in the next day drove for about 6 miles and the transmission exploded, talking gears straight through the case wasn't even close to rebuildable. almost took out the engine it was so bad

 

[Hopman]

Reverse is overrated.

Sounds like you need a tranny overhaul. Save yourself the trouble and just replace with a stick shift.

 

[greaseyfingers]

my sister had a '95ish dodge grand caravan that the reverse went out on. It turns out a gasket on the tranny was leaking and the fluid was low. It also wouldnt go over 45mph. filled the fluid and it would go forward fine, but reverse was shot. Maybe checking the fluid level would be a good place to start

the automatic transmission isn't low on tranny fluid

it works fine going forward

it just won't back up in reverse, anymore

does anyone know what might be the problem and what needs to be done to fix it

 

[Hopman]

Transmission rebuild or swap in a manual.

 

[backroad101]

Does in go backward in any other gear

.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Sounds like my dad's Dodge 2500 tranny. Thou he cooked his while hauling the camper and towing a bass boat. Slipped badly going forward and reverse wouldn't engage (like it was in neutral). New rebuilt 4-speed tranny with OD, and the Dodge still runs like shit. But at least it moves in 2 directions.

With it being a 99, it will have a 4R55E. So it is fully electronic tranny. First thing I would check is the wiring and sensors. Also on the tranny, there is a switch box on the left side (driver's side) that has a cable going to it that selects the gear. Check the linkage to that switch.

 

[backroad101]

With it being a 99, it will have a 4R55E. So it is fully electronic tranny. First thing I would check is the wiring and sensors. Also on the tranny, there is a switch box on the left side (driver's side) that has a cable going to it that selects the gear. Check the linkage to that switch.

Mine is a 99 (4.0L) and has the 5speed automatic

.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Mine is a 99 (4.0L) and has the 5speed automatic

.

4R55E or 5R55E. Still the same tranny (almost). I going off the TRS Tech Library. But still, check for those items that I mentioned.

 

[Hopman]

Does in go backward in any other gear?

.

Only when the Seafoam's running through it.

 

[adsm08]

Hopman is right. Either the reverse clutch or that shift solenoid are shot, and since I know that solenoid is used for some forward gears but the clutch pack isn't I'm going with bad clutch pack.

A manual swap will def fix it.


Either way, one gear going out usually means that the rest aren't far behind, but there are so many things that could cause that that instead of asking what broke here, you really should get it to a trans specialty shop (like AAMCO) or a dealership.

 

[Hopman]

Hopman is right. Either the reverse clutch or that shift solenoid are shot, and since I know that solenoid is used for some forward gears but the clutch pack isn't I'm going with bad clutch pack.

A manual swap will def fix it.


Either way, one gear going out usually means that the rest aren't far behind, but there are so many things that could cause that that instead of asking what broke here, you really should get it to a trans specialty shop (like AAMCO) or a dealership.

Yeah. Even I get one right now & then.

I'd do it right and swap in a stick. Sadly, the auto gearboxes in the Rangers have always been a weak link, while the venerable M5OD has been stout & solid like a chunk of granite.

 

[Frank The Tank]

My 88 did that....... Hell I got another 40k out of it till it stopped going forwards in drive in 4th 3rd, and finally lost second on a beer run (6k rpms the whole way home).

My bosses explorer with a 4.0 it was a 94 i think, lost reverse..... they drove it to Florida like that, just be carefull where you park, till you can get a replacement.

I recommend an m5od, lol.

Frank

 

[Hopman]

I recommend an m5od, lol.

Yeah. The M5OD IS the rebuild kit for the automatic!