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Automatic won't shift into L


dbuelke

New Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2012
Messages
3
Vehicle Year
2000
Transmission
Automatic
My 2000 Ranger 3.0, 4wd automatic shift lever was getting rather sloppy and I successfully adjusted the cable under the dash to make it read properly. However, I can't get it to shift into low gear. It goes from P-R-N-D with no problem and aligns correctly with indicators, but won't go into L. I can go under the truck to move the lever on the transmission into L manually without any problem with the cable connected, but that won't change the position on the shift lever. Going in the other direction will move the indicator and shifter appropriately though. The cable and adjuster bracket under the dash are solid, not cracked or loose.

I don't quite understand how this connection works. There is just a fine copper cable hooked onto an extension from the shift lever and that pulls up to P or relaxes to reach L. However, on the transmission end there is perhaps a 1/8" cable connecting to the lever on the transmission and it's moving in the opposite direction of the cable above. I suspect there is a spring load inside that large tubular housing coming from above that somehow is pushing on this transmission cable in order to force it to L that either isn't working or needs adjustment, but I don't know how to proceed.
 
The PRNDL display and the needle position actually have very little to do with the connection under the cab on the side of the trans. The needle is connected to the lever by a copper-colored nylon string.

If you take the column shrouds off and look around in there you will find a black plastic wheel. Turning it adjusts the needle position. If you can't get the needle to adjust to where you are happy you will need to replace the PRNDL assembly because the string is stretched.

I have, more rarely, seen the nuts that hold the shift gates onto the dash loosen and cause this.


All of this is, of course, assuming that it engages in Low.
 
Thanks Jim

I have adjusted the plastic wheel so that RND2 all match their letter on the dash panel, but no matter which way I've adjusted, over the entire length of the threads related to that adjustment wheel, it simply stops firmly after 2 and won't go to 1. There is a good inch of the copper nylon between the bottom of the loop and the inlet to the cable housing and, as stated before, the switch lever on the transmission itself can be moved to that last position.

On further investigation tonight, way above that adjustment wheel and up atop the steering column where the shift lever rod appears, I can see what appears to be a metal stop that catches the cam on the end of the shift apparatus. This cam moves in relation to the shift lever as it is pulled toward the steering wheel to shift from one position to the next. This action on my shifter has some sloppiness moving it fore and aft and it appear it is too sloppy to move that cam over the last stop to get to the 1 position, if that in fact is where it needs to go. It definitely feels like the firm impediment reached after the 2 position is in this area of the shift lever rather than downstream.

Appreciate any further assistance you can offer. BTW, I haven't found any loose screws or bolts where they can be seen or checked, but it seems that apparatus at the end of the shift lever column needs tightening.

Thanks again.
 

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