Transmission problems, please HELP!

[Twisted]

Hey yall, I have a 1994 Ranger 3.0 2wd 5spd manual. For the past year the transmission has been making a whining noise through gears 1,2,3 and 5 at all speeds(does not whine in 4th) , however, it wasnt causing any problems. The last couple months however, it doesn't want to go into certain gears (1,2,4) after driving at interstate speeds (60mph or higher) for anything more than just a few miles. Gears never grind and the clutch is not slipping. Driving around town between 0-45 it shifts just fine. After driving on the highway, once i get it back down to slower speeds it will start shifting fine again after 30min or so of driving.

What could be the problem? does it need to have the fluid changed? the truck has 240,000 on it and has never had the fluid changed before. from what i understand the tranny uses ATF? would changing the fluid possibly damage the transmission?

All help is much appreciated! thanks yall!

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

have you checked the fluid level lately? low fluid levels is just about the only thing that will kill one of these transmissions (other than straight up hard abuse)

 

[Twisted]

hasnt been abused at all, ill check the fluid levels. from what ive read i just unscrew the plug and feel around right?

if they are low should i drain out the old fluid and replace with fresh?

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i dont think it would hurt it any to change the fluid in it. the ATF basically acts as a coolant in these transmissions as well as a lubricant, so being low on fluid can cause failures due to heat. there is a fill plug and a drain plu on the drivers side, pull the fill plug (24mm wrench) and stick your finger in the hole. if your finger doesnt get red fluid on it then you are low. if youre low then look higher on the trans by the shifter for leaking fluid as the M5ODs are notorious for leaking out of the rubber plugs on the shift rail. if its not wet on top, check your output seal where the driveshaft goes into the trans. hope some of this is helpfull for you. heres a link to some more info on the shift rail plugs http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/shift_rail_plug_maintenance.htm

 

[Twisted]

awesome! thats all very helpful! it sounds a lot like it is running low on fluid. hopefully i havent toasted the tranny yet. it sounds like what its doing is, because its low on fluid its heating up at higher speeds and thats why its getting difficult to shift. i get home tomorrow and will check it as soon as i get unpacked. dont worry, im not drivin it home lol. thanks for the link!

 

[kkjb4x4.0]

Mine made that same noise for over a year. I had no leaks but my slave was also bad.Mine turned out to be the inputshaft bearing. I had the trans rebuilt but shoulda just put a used one in. Hope that your's is just low on fluid.

 

[Natedog]

Hey yall, I have a 1994 Ranger 3.0 2wd 5spd manual. For the past year the transmission has been making a whining noise through gears 1,2,3 and 5 at all speeds(does not whine in 4th) , however, it wasnt causing any problems. The last couple months however, it doesn't want to go into certain gears (1,2,4) after driving at interstate speeds (60mph or higher) for anything more than just a few miles. Gears never grind and the clutch is not slipping. Driving around town between 0-45 it shifts just fine. After driving on the highway, once i get it back down to slower speeds it will start shifting fine again after 30min or so of driving.

What could be the problem? does it need to have the fluid changed? the truck has 240,000 on it and has never had the fluid changed before. from what i understand the tranny uses ATF? would changing the fluid possibly damage the transmission?

All help is much appreciated! thanks yall!

Sounds like worn countershaft bearings and low on oil.