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?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

When you did the clutch, did you replace the slave cylinder? Have you checked fluid level in the master cylinder. And in case you dont know, there is a black rubber seperator gasket that if all the fluid is gone, will suck down and look like its part of the reservoir. It is not! I learned this the hard way...lol.

 

[scotts90ranger]

They don't develop new air bubbles most of the time, what happens is the bubbles from disengaging/engaging the quick connect at the slave cylinder made their way into the master cylinder where they get stuck since it's an air trap really...

Sometimes you can get lucky by (with the engine off or in neutral) putting the clutch pedal to the floor and slipping your foot off and repeat like 5 times... if that doesn't work you might need to go as far as to take the master cylinder loose and bench bleed it or some people take the C clip off of the master at the firewall on the inside and let some fluid out in the cab. Unfortunately bleeding it at the slave cylinder isn't likely to get air out of the master cylinder where it's the biggest problem.