No Gears

[rangerbronco288]

i have a 1988 ranger with a a4ld trans with a 2.9L. I was driving away from a stop sign the other night and all of the sudden no gears at all. Will not go into reverse will not go into drive no gears at all. I looked at the trans fluid and it is all bubbly. It was overfull too. Any ideas other than a blown trans or just things to check before i believe that there was a complete trans failure. Thanks

Jason

 

[BlackBII]

Will it not 'shift' into gear or will the shifter not move?
If it goes in gear, and you step on the gas, do the RPM's just shoot up without the vehicle moving?

 

[rangerbronco288]

the shifter moves but the truck does not move in any gears
I was just driving along the other day at about 40 mph and all the sudden the trrans just disengaged and the engine reved up to about 5000rmps and nothing i had to go get my other truck and tow it home

 

[BlackBII]

Are you sure that tranny is the problem?
May have busted a driveshaft, if it's the rubber boot one, something to check also

 

[exbass94]

I looked at the trans fluid and it is all bubbly. It was overfull too.

There's your problem, or at least part of it. Drain some of that fluid out. The reason why your trans isn't working may be because the fluid is full of air bubbles. The fluid is under pressure, and that pressure is being used to compress the air bubbles instead of moving the truck. It's the same thing as not bleeding your brakes.

 

[bottledgt]

check your radiator

 

[rangerbronco288]

Check my radiator for what......what does that have to relate to the transmission.....And yes i am planning on changing the fluid tonight...i will let you guys know what happens lets hope it works. thanks

jason

 

[Bent Bolt]

Betcha the spline in the torque converter let go. Seen it many times. Also check the transfercase-- if you have one. Shift it into 4hi and 4 low.

 

[jeffro184]

thoes stripped out input shafts.

 

[rangerbronco288]

Why shift it into 4hi or 4lo????? will that help me check something im confused hahahahha. But the splines on the trans usually go out on these???

 

[reno]

When was it you checked the fluid? Meaning, was it cool or warm? Usually air bubbles indicate LOW fluid levels. The bubbles may be the result of air and fluid being sucked up into the filter and pump. Check the fluid level first thing in the morning after the bubbles have settled down over night. My guess is you will find it low.
I could be wrong. Have you had it out playing? and if so was there semi deep water involved? Could have sucked up some water in there, and the water is boiling, causing the bubbles.......

 

[Bent Bolt]

Why shift it into 4hi or 4lo????? will that help me check something im confused hahahahha. But the splines on the trans usually go out on these???

Just in case the transfer case crapped out. Shifting the T-case into the ranges sometimes isolates the problem.

The splines in the torque converter can and will strip out in high mileage non-rebuilt trannys. Just a suggestion.

 

[reno]

Check my radiator for what......what does that have to relate to the transmission.....And yes i am planning on changing the fluid tonight...i will let you guys know what happens lets hope it works. thanks

jason

You check your radiator because the coolant lines from the tranny run to it. If the internal part of the radiator breaks (the part that has the Trans fluid), then the coolant will mix with the Tranny fluid.

 

[Bruce]

Sounds like converter took a vacation or the pump gears inside the pump broke since you say the tranny is over full. If you check a tranny not running they will show over full as soon as you start it up fluid level should drop, if fluid level dont drop the converter or pump is bad .

 

[reno]

Sounds like converter took a vacation or the pump gears inside the pump broke since you say the tranny is over full. If you check a tranny not running they will show over full as soon as you start it up fluid level should drop, if fluid level dont drop the converter or pump is bad .

Right, if it does not show on the dipstick, or shows low, then Bingo, if it shows over full, then yes the pump. But water in the system can produce bubbles, and when bubbles are present, it is almost impossible to get a good reading of the level. Now the question is, did he play in water? This is why I hate areas with a lot of water, mud\sand and rocks I can deal with, but water, I steer clear if possible.