Possible Transmission issue?

JUSTINC911

MEMBER
2009 FORD RANGER
2.3L
2WD
AUTOMATIC
202,511 MILES

The truck has to be shifted through gears to even move at all at first. It had plenty of transmission fluid surprisingly considering in 50,000 miles I hadn’t changed it. I can slow down and stop turn around and it seems like the truck loses momentum and doesn’t want to drive as well. I drove half a mile and it seemed like it was struggling and gradually slowing down. First 30MPH and then 20MPH. When I got home and pulled in from my little test drive. So, I concluded after staying stationary it loses the ability to move without being shifted through gears several times first and it gradually loses all its momentum while driving even short distances.

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,633 POSTS

The transmission might be burnt up, but we should check the fluid condition by smelling it. Also, is there a check engine light on? if so, we should check the codes.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

We should try to service the transmission which can help it. Here is a guide to help with instructions in the images below for your truck:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Make sure you change out the filter.

This video shows the job being done on a similar truck:

https://youtu.be/HJdcWI6m3J4

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Images (Click to make bigger)