Strange Problem Shifting?

[Hypnotic Toast]

I've got a '99 Ranger with an automatic transmission and it's developed a problem I've never run into before. At first it started when I would shift into park. I could take the key out and everything, but when I turn the ignition to start it again nothing happened. I'd have to fiddle with the gear shift for a little bit for it to want to start again.

Now it's gotten to the point to where it sometimes doesn't even want to shift into park and it, of course, won't start when it's there. I have to put it into neutral and keep the emergency brake on when I go places, because it won't start in any other gear. It starts right up in neutral, so I don't think I have any ignition problems.

And now I'm also able to shift all the way from left to right of all of my gears, Park to First, when the truck is off, which is something I was never able to do before and know you shouldn't be able to do.

I've read about some little piece in the steering column that could wear out and cause this problem, but I'm not sure. It still drives fine, all the gears work perfectly (except the starting problem with park) and it doesn't have any problem shifting.

 

[thegoat4]

Sounds like your linkage is out of adjustment.

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

What does that mean? Is it an expensive repair?

 

[thegoat4]

Nope, not expensive. The linkage is the stuff between the lever on your steering column and the lever on the side of your transmission. The adjustment should be down at the transmission itself.

With your truck in drive, shut down the engine and hang a weight on the control lever. This makes sure the lever doesn't jump around and is solidly in position.

Now, take your linkage loose at the transmission. Move the lever on the transmission all the way to the front. Then move it to the back two clicks. If you can slip your linkage back ito plce, it's in adjustment. If it won't quite fit, you need to adjust the linkage.

The part of the cable that it secured in the bracket has a little lock that needs to be pulled out. The lock is located just forward of where the bracket hold the cable. Pull the lock, install the linkage, and reinstall the lock.

Go drive it. If it changes, find out why your linkage went out of adjustment. If nothing changes, start checking other stuff, like the neutral safety switch adjustment. It's actually called the digital transmission range sensor. You'll need a T97L-70010-A tool to set the alignment of the sensor.

The thing in the steering column you mentioned is a safety interlock. It's a solenoid that pulls on a toothed bar thingy that locks the shift lever. You'll have to peel the covering off the steering column to get at it. It should lock the lever with the engine off, and unlock with the engine on.

 

[garycmiller]

I had the same problem with my 2000 Ranger 4x4 but it degenerated to the point of not being able to get it in any gear and I had to replace the entire steering column. It's not as hard as you would think to replace and you can usually find a suitable replacement in a junk yard. Just be sure to get the key with it if you buy like that. Also keep in mind that on most of the year models a Ranger and Explorer uses the same steering column so don't limit your search to only junkyard Rangers.