Wont shift gears in 4wd

[fastpakr]

You don't need to be stopped with the brake on for anything, it will shift on the fly.
To get back in 2WD it has to reverse direction a few feet to get that

It's not shift on the fly into low range - only between 2 high and 4 high.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

OP....try shifting into 4 hi and manually pulling the shift lever to 1st...get up to 10 or 15 and hit 2nd and see if it shifts that way.

Report back

 

[Curious Hound]

OP....try shifting into 4 hi and manually pulling the shift lever to 1st...get up to 10 or 15 and hit 2nd and see if it shifts that way.

Report back

Great minds think alike.

And we do, too.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Great minds think alike.

And we do, too.

Great minds?

Wouldnt go that far

 

[fastpakr]

Is it an electronic transfer case or manual shift?

 

[Josh B]

the 93 and 94 are twins as far as I know, my 93 shifts on the fly, and to get back 2WD it must be reversed a short ways for the 4WD shafts to park

 

[Josh B]

4low is just a step past 4x4 high, I am not certain from memory if it must be stopped to shift in there or just the clutch in, but I do think shifting out it must be

 

[Josh B]

I don't think it's a shifter issue, more something in the TC or transmission

 

[scottvols]

It is a 94 it has a4ld transmission. I have only had it about 3 months. I don't know much about the truck. When I got it I had to change motor. Bad #1 piston on Old motor. I got a motor out of 95 explorer. It is 2 button on dash. The explorer had turn nob. Ithink it had the 55 transmission. Can I use the the switch from the explorer on the ranger.i still have the transmission from the explorer. I did notice I had to put it in reverse for it to come out of 4wd.

 

[fastpakr]

4low is just a step past 4x4 high, I am not certain from memory if it must be stopped to shift in there or just the clutch in, but I do think shifting out it must be

It has to be stopped to shift between low and high range.

 

[Snoranger]

It has to be stopped to shift between low and high range.

No it doesn’t. As long as you’re in neutral, with your foot on the brake it will attempt to shift. It will grind and crunch if you’re rolling. The module doesn’t know how fast you’re going. It doesn’t care either.

 

[fastpakr]

Fascinating. I knew you could force it with a manual shift and ignore the hideous noises. But that's wild that the electronic shift system doesn't have speed input to prevent it. Thanks for the correction.

File this under 'today I learned'.

 

[Curious Hound]

Ok.but we seem to be off course again. He isn't having trouble shifting the transfer case. He is having trouble with the TRANSMISSION shifting.

It seems that something is worn in the valve body of the transmission. Let's admit it. This is a 29 yr old transmission. Chances are, the transmission is marginally operating in when driving in 2wd. When the transfer case is engaged, it may be adding load and changing the pump speed and oil pressures needed for shifting the transmission.

So, in 4wd, try manually shifting the transmission into first gear. If that works, try shifting to 2nd gear. Then,maybe to drive. Manually shifting may help the transmission use higher pressures to shift. That will give us a better idea of what may be going on.

 

[Snoranger]

Ok.but we seem to be off course again. He isn't having trouble shifting the transfer case. He is having trouble with the TRANSMISSION shifting.

Post #3 clearly states “it also won’t go into 4wd low”.

 

[Curious Hound]

Post #3 clearly states “it also won’t go into 4wd low”.

Ok. But if the transmission won't shift at all in 4wd, we probably need to fix that first. 4-lo won't help if we can't move at all.

Edit; I'm not trying to be argumentative or belligerent here. But here's my train of thought.

The transmission seems to work in 2wd. Engage 4-hi and transmission wont6shift automatically. We're not sure about manual control yet. There is no electrical feedback or link from the transfer case to the transmission in 1994. So, one does not directly control the other. The only effect the transfer case really has on the transmission is by adding load that must be overcome with greater torque from the transmission. So, it seems that this issue should be resolved first.

The issue of the transfer case not shifting to 4-lo may or may not be related. These could be separate issues. The transfer case issue could simply be dirty contacts or poor adjustment if the switch contacts in the motor assembly. Since the transmission and transfer case do not control each other electrically, I would think this re-inforces the idea that these are probably 2 separate issues.

One good thing to check would be the fluid levels in both the transmission and transfer case. Possibly even make sure the proper fluid has been installed.