Shifting issues etc.

[rededrxm]

Im new to the forum and idk if anyone could help me out with this but ive had some issues with my truck. its a 2002 3.0L Automatic Ford ranger. what it does is when i take off from being parked or stopped at a light, it drives without shifting unless i let off the gas. i normally let off at 3.5 rpms and then it shifts. its not really a hard shift but it takes like 1-3 seconds for the rpms to drop. whats really strange to me is when i turn the ac on and drive, it takes even longer to shift, like 3-4 seconds long. It also is way slower than what it was before the issues started to happen. my dad thinks it might have something to do with a computer but im really just tryna save myself alot of money. also the od light flashes after a couple mins of driving it. ik that points to transmission have the time but im not a mechanic. can someone help? ill answer questions if there are any when i can. thanks.

 

[sgtsandman]

First things first. Has the transmission fluid and filter ever been changed? If the fluid is worn out and very dirty, the transmission isn't going to function well. If unknown, you might want to try changing the fluid and filter, drive it for a bit so it goes through all the gears. Change the fluid again and drive it. Then do it a third time with a filter change. That will get a majority of the old, worn out fluid out of the transmission. I'm not sure if many have done that with Rangers but it has fixed issues on other brands of vehicles, like Hondas.

 

[rededrxm]

First things first. Has the transmission fluid and filter ever been changed? If the fluid is worn out and very dirty, the transmission isn't going to function well. If unknown, you might want to try changing the fluid and filter, drive it for a bit so it goes through all the gears. Change the fluid again and drive it. Then do it a third time with a filter change. That will get a majority of the old, worn out fluid out of the transmission. I'm not sure if many have done that with Rangers but it has fixed issues on other brands of vehicles, like Hondas.

I have changed the fluid but the filter i havent. Ive done an engine swap on it but idk much about transmissions. is it easier doing it myself or taking it to a shop? Thanks for your reply.

 

[sgtsandman]

I have changed the fluid but the filter i havent. Ive done an engine swap on it but idk much about transmissions. is it easier doing it myself or taking it to a shop? Thanks for your reply.

Changing the fluid and filter isn't difficult. The hard part is draining the fluid and dropping the pan without making a huge mess. The filter is usually only a couple bolts. One may be longer than the other, so pay attention. The filter may or may not require a gasket or o-ring. So look for that while looking up parts. Rock Auto can be helpful. Ford Parts and Tasca usually have an illustrated parts break down associated with the part that is usually more helpful. Once you figure that out, you can buy Ford or after market as you like.

Make sure you are using the correct fluid. It makes a difference.

 

[rededrxm]

Changing the fluid and filter isn't difficult. The hard part is draining the fluid and dropping the pan without making a huge mess. The filter is usually only a couple bolts. One may be longer than the other, so pay attention. The filter may or may not require a gasket or o-ring. So look for that while looking up parts. Rock Auto can be helpful. Ford Parts and Tasca usually have an illustrated parts break down associated with the part that is usually more helpful. Once you figure that out, you can buy Ford or after market as you like.

Make sure you are using the correct fluid. It makes a difference.

thanks sgt ill get back to you once i change filters

 

[rededrxm]

Changing the fluid and filter isn't difficult. The hard part is draining the fluid and dropping the pan without making a huge mess. The filter is usually only a couple bolts. One may be longer than the other, so pay attention. The filter may or may not require a gasket or o-ring. So look for that while looking up parts. Rock Auto can be helpful. Ford Parts and Tasca usually have an illustrated parts break down associated with the part that is usually more helpful. Once you figure that out, you can buy Ford or after market as you like.

Make sure you are using the correct fluid. It makes a difference.

So I took it too a trusted transmission shop in town and he thinks its computer issues. it kicked him off his code reader and wouldnt even let him run diagnostics on it. He said its in limp mode and he gave ne a few places to take it to but any idea on limp mode and what could be causing this issue.

 

[superj]

not from me. you at fort benning? or you just live in columbus? if you are stationed there, stop by the autocraft shop and see if one of the guys has any ideas there to help out also. usually, the guys at the autocraft shop are pretty good mechanics.

i used to live at the one on kelley hill back in the 90s

 

[sgtsandman]

So I took it too a trusted transmission shop in town and he thinks its computer issues. it kicked him off his code reader and wouldnt even let him run diagnostics on it. He said its in limp mode and he gave ne a few places to take it to but any idea on limp mode and what could be causing this issue.

Without having the truck in front of me and a shop manual to figure things out, no idea. 90% of the vehicles I've owned and worked on had manual transmissions.

 

[rededrxm]

not from me. you at fort benning? or you just live in columbus? if you are stationed there, stop by the autocraft shop and see if one of the guys has any ideas there to help out also. usually, the guys at the autocraft shop are pretty good mechanics.

i used to live at the one on kelley hill back in the 90s

Yessir im from columbus. Ill bring it by when i get time. i work in phenix city. Im sure you saw previously that the trucks in limp mode. Thanks for you reply.

 

[rededrxm]

Without having the truck in front of me and a shop manual to figure things out, no idea. 90% of the vehicles I've owned and worked on had manual transmissions.

Thank you for helping me out tho. Me and Dad gonna look at tte computer. We never changed it out when we swapped engines. The guy at the transmission shop said if i did an transmission swap right now id most likely have the same exact issues.