Can't shift in first and second, and now reverse.

[Barrywan]

4L 97 ranger, The trans will when warmed up and running, will occasionally not go into first or second. Usually I can push it in if I go into third. Now recently going into reverse, same thing and with grinding of gears, can bang it into gear.
Newer clutch, 2000 +-, miles ago, What I have just discovered is that turning off the engine allows it to go easily into any gear.
Any logic to this? and how do I fix it?

 

[scotts90ranger]

It sounds like the clutch is dragging so I would recommend bleeding the clutch or looking into that part of the system.

 

[Shran]

Yep... air in the clutch hydraulic system most likely, need to fix it as soon as you can so that you're not trashing synchros or shift forks.

 

[Barrywan]

Yeah, as the day went on I found out that the bleeding thing is probably what is needed.
It has not always done this since the clutch got put in. So, can a system develop air bubbles? And what allows it to go into gear when the engine is off?