2nd to 3rd shift problem

[Wheelhorsekingr10]

i have a 1995 ranger with a 3.0 auto trans and the problem i am having is the 2nd to 3rd shift, if you take off at a normal accelation it slips for about 2 seconds and then slams into gear but if you take off slow is shifts fine and after its in gear you can floor it and it will shift back down into 2nd like it should and then it will shift fine back into 3rd ???? any ideas

 

[exbass94]

Bad valve body gasket. Pretty common problem in this trans. Replace the gasket and you should be good to go. To avoid this in the future, re-torque the valve body bolts every fluid change (every 30-40k miles....you ARE changing the fluid every 30-40k miles...right?)

 

[olddude55]

Google "Ford Ranger 2-3 shift flare" and you'll get about 70,000 responses.
No foolin'--that's how common this problem is.
I'm dealing with it right now myself, even though my ride is an '03 and should have the updated valve body gaskets and separator plate.
Not sure how I'm going to attack the issue here, but will be ordering the gasket(s), plate, and EPC solenoid from the nearest Ford dealer. As exbass said, the VB gasket is the most common cause of the infamous 2-3 flare.

 

[Wheelhorsekingr10]

thanks i will try the VB gasket , and solenoid

 

[Wheelhorsekingr10]

thanks, I changed the valvebody gaskets and while i had the valvebody out I put in a shift kit from Trans GO and WOW does it shift great now