97 Ranger Passing Gear

[cszalai]

My son has a 97 Ranger and the transmission doesn't shift out of passing gear when he is getting out into traffic, or entering the freeway. I have checked the fluid it is at the correct level .... a little dark but not bad. When it does this he lets off the gas and steps on it again and then it shifts.... seems like a sticky valve or a bad solenoid.... the truck sat for 10yrs with a bad motor and we changed that about 3yrs ago and it has been great for him to get around at college... now he has graduated and now we are having trouble... his new job has him on the freeway for about 20 minutes everyday at highway speeds. any suggestions?

 

[Mark_88]

EDIT: Read this first ...

http://etereman.com/blog/ford-transmission-2/seven-common-problems-with-the-ford-4r55e-transmission



Here is an old thread...it is about a similar issue with a DIFFERENT configuration...but sounds like the same or similar problem that you are having...

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62415

Don't do anything if you are not comfortable with the information...you could mess up a perfectly good part by trying to fix it...you may need to find a replacement unit but I can tell you that the 4 banger automatic transmissions are getting harder to find and most of them have high mileage (from my recent searching experience)...

I just experienced something similar on my 2007 Dodge Caravan...dealership wanted to change the PCM...$1000...I found that there is a "shift solenoid" problem that might help...but we tried changing the fluids and filter first (not a bad idea either way)...it was the shift solenoid after all...but still cost almost $1000 with the fluid change (dealership prices)...parts alone would have cost about $400
http://etereman.com/blog/ford-transmission-2/seven-common-problems-with-the-ford-4r55e-transmission