No Shifting

[Quill]

I bought a 99 Ranger for cheap. 114k on the odometer. The story behind it is this, a parent gave the truck to his teenage son who got it stuck within 2months of owning it. He ruined the engine. He then traded it to another guy about 21 who put an engine in the truck. Only 50k on the used motor. Other than an engine knock the truck ran fine. Now it won't move. So he sold it. It wouldn't start when I first got it, but the problem was a loose wire. Runs fine but still will not engage the transmission. I found mud caked in the shifting mechanism on the trans. itself. Cleaned that, sprayed it good with Liquid Wrench and worked it free, but it still does not engage the automatic trans. Now the loose wire that caused it not to start was also on the trans., so I wonder if he forgot another wire or vacuum line. I can get a used trans if I have to but would like to save the $600 and the trans if I can. The fluid is nice and clean, no burn residue on the dip stick. I don't have a book for this Ranger. Mine only goes to 92. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Quill]

No ideas at all? Am I going to have to pull the transmission and transfer case? I am really hoping not as my back is lousy.

 

[Big Jim M]

No ideas at all? Am I going to have to pull the transmission and transfer case? I am really hoping not as my back is lousy.

My only thought would be the filter.. If no fluid goes thru the filter there can be no movement. I have the exact same tranny and have never had a problem with it.
Big JIm

 

[Quill]

That could be it. I thought even with that the trans would feel like it is trying to engage. This you even feel a change when shifting. I will put a OBD ll on tomorrow and check the codes. Then I will pull the pan to look at things.

 

[Quill]

We pulled the pan today and the fluid is clean, with no chips or crud in the pan. Still at a wall. I think I might have to bite the bullet and buy another.

 

[TomB1269]

Have you tried to see if it moves in 2nd gear? 2nd is the fail safe. If it will not move in second then I'd say a bad torque converter or bigger internal problem.

And what about the T-case? Are you sure it is engaged? Not stuck in neutral? Have you tried to push the truck with it in park to see if the t-case is engaged?

 

[Quill]

I checked the transfer case. It might have been the solenoids. I bought a used one with a 1yr warranty. I need the truck rolling and can't waste anymore time. I think the guy who put the engine messed the trans up. Thanks for your help.