transmission problems

[skipden]

2000 ranger pickup, automatic, 204,000 miles, developed shifting problems. rough shift, motor reving before it catches, especially between 2nd and 3rd. engine also revs at highway speeds. this is not evident when cold but gets worse as car warms up. i changed filter (for the first time) and it did not help. i bought a "transmission control solenoid" from Autozone because web page addressed problems i an having. i now realize that transmission has 4 of these and i do not know which one to replace. no cel codes. can auto zone code reader detect transmission problems? does dealer have more advanced reader that could tell me more? how much would dealer charge to read these codes? or do i just sell truck for whatever i can get?

 

[adsm08]

I am going to start with the last question.

If you are going to sell an otherwise good vehicle over something as minor as a transmission issue, you are either wanting a different vehicle already, or one of those people who thinks that once the first thing breaks the whole car is no good. Either way any other answer I can give will change your mind on wanting a new vehicle.

You have what is known a "shift flare", an unexpected jump in engine speed during a shift. At 204,000 miles a solenoid could be at fault, as could any number of seals, or just worn out clutches. I would take it to a dealership or transmission shop for proper diagnosis. Better yet, I'd just throw a reman transmission in it.

The Autozone scanner will likely not be able to pick up on transmission issues. A dealership would have much better diagnostic equipment than the jokers at Autozone. Our scanners vs their scanners is like comparing an Xbox 360 to one of those old LED handheld football games from the 70s.

As for what a dealership in your area would charge for diag, you would have to call them. Ford has recommendations for labor rates and diag charges, but we are franchises, not owned by Ford, and can set our own rates at the discretion of management.