I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight with
the stick shift to get it into 1st gear. If I am rolling just
slightly, it usually slips into place without too much pressure on the
shift stick.
Can anybody tell me what's wrong and what the fix might be?
Thanks!
C. E. White - 05 Jun 2006 16:02 GMT
> I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight with
> the stick shift to get it into 1st gear. If I am rolling just
> slightly, it usually slips into place without too much pressure on the
> shift stick.
>
> Can anybody tell me what's wrong and what the fix might be?
If you turn the engine off, is it easy to shift into gear? If it is, then
mostly likely you have a clutch problem (might include some or all of the
following - clutch plate, pressure plate, flywheel, pilot bearing, release
bearing, adjustment).
How about reverse? Is it easy?
Ed
Mike - 05 Jun 2006 16:41 GMT
> > I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight with
> > the stick shift to get it into 1st gear. If I am rolling just
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Ed
Ed,
It seems to shift okay with the engine off and reverse shifting is no
problem either. I originally thought it might be some kind of shifter
linkage misalignment or adjustment problem. If it is any of the
components you listed, which I believe are all internal to the clutch
housing, then why is the problem only with first gear and not ALL of
the gears??!! You could be right, but I just don't want to fix
something that isn't broken. I've done that before (DUHHH!). This is
why I suspect a shift linkage adjustment or some problem internal to
the gearbox! Gears other than 1st gear,and reverse usually have
something called a 'synchromesher' to synchronize meshing gears that
are at different rotating speeds. Thank you very much for the good
ideas! I'll look into them....
Whitelightning - 06 Jun 2006 03:14 GMT
> Ed,
> It seems to shift okay with the engine off and reverse shifting is no
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> are at different rotating speeds. Thank you very much for the good
> ideas! I'll look into them....
There is no "linkage" per say. First has syncos too. other wise
when you down shift in to first you would have to double clutch. The
reason it doest
give you fits going into other gears is because you are rolling and the
syncs are helping you.
If you pump the clutch pedal two three times fast does it go in easy then?
That will point to a problem with the hydraulic clutch system. Most pros
driving big rigs don't use the clutch at all when shifting once the truck is
rolling
Whitelightning
C. E. White - 06 Jun 2006 23:23 GMT
>> > I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight with
>> > the stick shift to get it into 1st gear. If I am rolling just
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> are at different rotating speeds. Thank you very much for the good
> ideas! I'll look into them....
The other geas are easy becasue the truck is moving and the syncro's job is
easier. Definitely sounds like a clutch related problem to me.
C4 CHECK FOR AIR IN THE CLUTCH HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
Check reserve.
Block wheels and set parking brake.
With the vehicle in REVERSE, clutch disengaged, and engine idling, move the
shift lever to a position halfway between reverse and neutral.
Slowly engage the clutch, until gear clash can be heard.
While maintaining light pressure on shift knob, towards engagement in
REVERSE, slowly depress the clutch pedal. There will be a point of pedal
travel where the gear clash stops, and the shift lever slips easily into
gear. From this point to the floor is the reserve. The reserve is the amount
of additional travel available after the engine and transmission are
completely separated by the clutch.
Is the reserve greater than 25 mm (1 in)?
Yes
GO to C5 .
No
REFER to Bleed Procedure-On-Vehicle in this section.
C5 CHECK THE CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE
Remove the clutch pressure plate. Refer to Section 308-01 .
Inspect the clutch pressure plate for wear or runout. Refer to Pressure
Plate Check in this section.
Are there any signs of excessive wear or runout to the clutch pressure
plate?
Yes
INSTALL a new clutch pressure plate. REFER to Section 308-01 .
No
GO to C6 .
C6 INSPECT THE CLUTCH DISC
Carry out the clutch disc inspection procedure in this section.
Is the clutch disc OK?
Yes
VERIFY the customer concern. RETURN to the symptom chart if necessary.
No
INSTALL a new clutch disc. REFER to Section 308-01 . TEST the system for
normal operation.
Mike - 07 Jun 2006 00:36 GMT
> >> > I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight with
> >> > the stick shift to get it into 1st gear. If I am rolling just
[quoted text clipped - 73 lines]
> INSTALL a new clutch disc. REFER to Section 308-01 . TEST the system for
> normal operation.
Ed,
I'll start checking these symptoms. Thanks for looking that up!
Any idea where I can get some extensive manuals for a reasonable price?
I prefer the electronic form.....
Thanks again...
Mike
C. E. White - 07 Jun 2006 12:57 GMT
> > >> > I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight with
> > >> > the stick shift to get it into 1st gear. If I am rolling just
[quoted text clipped - 78 lines]
> Any idea where I can get some extensive manuals for a reasonable price?
> I prefer the electronic form.....
EBAY - search for Ford Service DVD. Or Alldata (www.alldata.com) $25 a year
or so for the first vehicle, $15 a year for additional vehicles. Or
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/retail/default.asp?pageid=&gutsid= -
you can buy access by the day and print what you need.
Ed
rphahne@gmail.com - 22 Jun 2006 15:53 GMT
I also have this problem with 1st gear. I have a 2003 Ranger XLT with 5
speed manual and 47k miles on it.
When stopped, 1st is real hard to get into and grinds occasionally.
Also it can 'pop out' of gear when trying to take off from light.
So the bottom line is since this is not a recall even though all ford
trucks seem to be having this problem with 1st, is to bleed the
hydraulic fluid and remove air trapped in the lines? Seems kinda wrong
to me. It is only 1st gear affected.....so that would lead me to
beleive mechanical failure / defect more so than fluid with air in it.
> > > >> > I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight
> with
[quoted text clipped - 92 lines]
>
> Ed
C. E. White - 22 Jun 2006 17:43 GMT
> I also have this problem with 1st gear. I have a 2003 Ranger XLT with 5
> speed manual and 47k miles on it.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> to me. It is only 1st gear affected.....so that would lead me to
> beleive mechanical failure / defect more so than fluid with air in it.
Hard shifting into first when stopped, or grinding when shifting into first
or reverse when stopped are classic symptoms of a clutch not fully
releasing. You don't see it in the other gears becasue when you shift into
those gears the vehicle is moving (and all tranmission elements are in
moting) which makes it easier for the synchronizers to overcome the clutch
drag. I suspect your truck is popping out of first gear becasue you have
worn down the teeth on the 1st gear engagement collar by grinding into first
gear so many times. So it is likely you need both a clutch and a
transmission rebuild.
Ed
Scott - 06 Jun 2006 03:11 GMT
>I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight with
> the stick shift to get it into 1st gear. If I am rolling just
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Thanks!
Check your hydraulic clutch fluid. If its low you need to fill
it and bleed it.
Jay Alperson - 06 Jun 2006 04:41 GMT
I've had a similar problem, only with difficulty shifting from 2nd to 3rd;
never a problem with other gears. My Ranger is a 2002 with < 5K on her; she
has had the problem since she was new. Only happens about 20% of the time.
I brought it into the dealer, and they couldn't reproduce the problem. Any
ideas?
>I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight with
> the stick shift to get it into 1st gear. If I am rolling just
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Thanks!
Mike - 06 Jun 2006 14:34 GMT
> I've had a similar problem, only with difficulty shifting from 2nd to 3rd;
> never a problem with other gears. My Ranger is a 2002 with < 5K on her; she
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> >
> > Thanks!
Jay - Sounds like air in the hydraulic line between the master and
slave in the clutch system -- assuming that the reservoir has enough
clutch fluid. Air compresses; hydraulic fluid (essentially) does not.
Pumping the pedal on the brake system causes the air to compress and
the line pressure goes up. This allows the brake calipers to reach
pressure high enough to operate the caliper pistons (even with air in
the line!). This would seem to be true also for the clutch hydraulic
system. This is what Ed and the other guys were trying to tell me
(pump the clutch pedal!!). If needed there should be a bleeder on the
transmission (according to the Haynes manual). It makes sense now. If
the clutch isn't depressed far enough, shifting can be difficult. The
slave plays a role in this. Also, the manual says to make sure the
shift stick knob is straight +/-10 degrees. On some vehicle types, it
doesn't matter since rotating the knob doesn't affect the position of
the stick itself. I think I know what to do now. You guys are all
regular geniuses. You pointed me in the right direction to go.
Thanks!
tomcas - 07 Jun 2006 04:38 GMT
> I've had a similar problem, only with difficulty shifting from 2nd to 3rd;
> never a problem with other gears. My Ranger is a 2002 with < 5K on her; she
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>
>>Thanks!
Like Mike says - bleed the clutch. It's a real pain to do properly
because the master cylinder traps the air. Before you get started, pop
the rubber inspection cover off the bell housing, say a prayer, and look
or feel for signs of hydraulic fluid pooled inside the bottom of the
bell housing. Also look for signs of wetting of the slave cylinder. If
you don't find any leaking fluid consider yourself lucky because
changing the slave cylinder makes bleeding the clutch seem real easy.
Post back if you need tips on bleeding the clutch.
JohanB - 07 Jun 2006 04:44 GMT
I would first try to change the tranny fluid, when the oil gets thick the
synchros just don't slide that good causing it to block @ times
Had a few Explorers doing that
Good luck
> I have a 2000 Ranger 2wd. Most of the time I have to really fight with
> the stick shift to get it into 1st gear. If I am rolling just
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Thanks!