M5OD Trans Help!!

[yz454ever]

Hi my name's Ian, I just started an account here. I have a '94 Ranger with 2.3L and an M5OD trans that I've been having problems with. The trans keeps coming out of phase while driving. At first I figured it was only the bushings so I replaced them. It works just fine for the most part until I hit 4th or 5th gear for more than a minute or so, then when I go to shift out, the top plate is completely out of phase and won't allow you to shift into any other gears, it just stays stuck in 4th or 5th gear until you pull over, remove the shifter, bushing cover and ball and manually put the trans back into neutral with a screw driver then reinstall the ball, plate and shifter and take off again, only to run into the same problem a couple miles down the road.. The throw out is not leaking, the clutch disengages just fine, just keeps coming out of phase for whatever reason. Any advice on what is going on here would be greatly appreciated.

Also I found a pretty good deal on a motor/trans with under 10,000 miles out of an '01 Ranger with the same manual 5 speed trans. If all else fails and I can not diagnose the problem myself, I'll probably just end up swapping out the entire motor and trans. Does anyone know if a motor/trans out of an '01 will bolt directly into a '94? Will any changes need to be made? Thanks in advance for any help, it's much appreciated.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Dammit, let's try this again (and hope it posts).

I haven't taken apart my M5OD's for my 4x4 conversion so I can't comment just yet on the internal workings.

However the M5OD's, while the same transmission, will only bolt to one engine family. 2.3L M5OD's will only bolt to other 2.3L's, 3.0L V6's to other 3.0L V6's, etc. The only exception is 2.9L v6's to 4.0L's, but M5OD's behind 2.9L's are not particularly common and the other transmissions aren't worth bothering with. So be sure the engine matches the one you have in he truck.

 

[PanamaExpat]

I wouldn't replace the whole transmission just yet. How much play is in the shifter? Is it really sloppy? More than likely you just need a shifter bushing and rebuild kit. RockAuto has them for less than 13 bucks or go to AutoZone or Napa and get a DORMAN Part # 917551.

I would do that before I replaced the whole transmission. If the transmission internals are having problems but (your gears are OK) you can get bearing and synchro kit off ebay and rebuild your own. It's not that hard and you have the satisfaction of KNOWING the parts inside are new and not someone else's abused junk.

One thing I forgot to mention. If you change the lube in the trans remember to use a good grade of Mercon ATF and not SAE 90.

 

[adsm08]

Your issue is probably in the top plate/shift rail assembly. That piece is universal, doesn't matter what engine it came off of.

 

[yz454ever]

Well I already replaced the bushings, it was the very first thing I did so there is zero slop in the shifter. So I know it most likely doesn't have anything to do with that. It probably does need a fluid change, going to do that next..

adsm: Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely look into that next. I'm assuming you have to drop the entire trans to get to that, right? Also, what part would I be looking for when I take the plate off? Or do you just get a new plate/rail assm from the salvage yard or something? Thanks, Ian.

 

[kunar]

i would guess there is a detent somewhere, probably a ball and spring, that's not doing its job. ive never had one of these transmissions apart though, so its tough to say.

also, im moving this thread to the transmission forum.