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Hard to shift (sometimes???)


RadioactiveSoda

New Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2024
Messages
4
City
Grants Pass
Vehicle Year
1990
Transmission
Manual
Hello again Ranger Station! A little quirk with my 1990 5-Speed Ranger is its difficulty shifting that happens on occasion. I originally suspected it was due to the climbing heat here in the PNW however I’ve found that it seems sort of random but the problem presents itself after driving for somewhat extended periods of time. Never right when it starts up. When shifting into gear it can be difficult and needs some strength. It has gotten to the point where I’ve been at a stop light with both hands on the stick trying my damndest to go into gear. It hasn’t gotten that severe in a while and most times I can shift. However, after parking somewhere for gas or whatnot the issue resolves. Recently, it came to me like a prophecy that it could be my clutch not fully engaging and so I’ve began to troubleshoot this issue as it appears by pulling my clutch pedal up and keeping a bit of pressure before letting go and shifting is much easier. Could it be my clutch cable is loose or the pedal itself needs some adjustment?
 
You wouldn't have a clutch cable, all rangers are hydraulic operation. Probably need to bleed the system, which means that you have a leak. Check the master cylinder for fluid loss. And be aware that there is a black rubber bellows that could potentially be sucked all the way down so that it looks like part of the master walls.
 
I had a similar problem in the heat last year. Same thing, transmission took strength to shift after an extended period of time and parking for a bit would resolve it. The first thing I tried, and what resolved it, was simply draining the transmission oil and filling it up until it just started to overflow. I did this a little over a year ago and have never had a problem since. I’d recommend trying that if you haven’t already.
 

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