I put in reverse and I can feel it hammer in reverse

Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 195,000 MILES
Yesterday I was slowing down at a stoplight before it turned green, and I tried to give it some gas and it just wrapped and finally you know kind of coasted back in, but I could feel the loss of power dramatically. So, I pulled into a parking lot shut it off you know checked all my clothes they're all good. The OD light did flash. I've tried taking it up to O'Reilly's to get the code read but they keep telling me they can't read it. But whenever I got back in my truck to start it, I put it in reverse to back out of the parking spot and that was acting the same way as drive. I can feel every gear click in except for neutral and drive whenever I cycle through the gears. So, I put in reverse, and I can feel it hammer in reverse I just had the transmission rebuilt just a little over a year ago, but I have to floor it to get it to actually reverse maybe two miles an hour. Drive will click into, but you don't really feel it and I can for that, and it's barely even wants to rock almost like it's just got something holding it. So, I jacked up all my tires spun them to make sure I don't have seized up brakes. The driveshaft looks good and when I had it jacked up, I checked for an open differential I don't have that I'm fairly well with vehicles except for transmissions as like the only thing I never learned so I'm kind of clueless on this. I did reach up on the transmission make sure all the connectors were still connected and everything all that's good. So, after I finally got to back up at a parking spot by 4:00 for a minute I'll try putting in drive you know of course it wouldn't go or I didn't want to strain the engine or transmission too much trying to get it to go. But first and second work perfectly fine like they just catch right in and take right off I could still feel kind of a little hesitation but not much and it's probably just because it's a low gear. So, on my way home I had it in second gear driving home and decide once I got up to a higher speed to try shifting it into drive. So, I let off the gas a little, shift into drive, give it a little bit of gas and I can kind of hear it just rev a little bit and then it just clicks right in drive and drive perfectly fine until I come to a stop or really slow speed. I'm really hoping it's not the transmission as it was just rebuilt a year ago With a shift kit put in, but I understand it could be a possibility. Is there Any test I can do here at home to try and kind of identify the problem without having to take it in and spend hundreds on diagnostics? I've read up on two other possibilities one being the shift solenoid and second one is being stuck between two gears but not really sure where to go from here. I've overhauled engines torn them down done measurements, so I have no doubt that I'm capable of doing it I've just never had a transmission in front me to learn. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Sunday, October 3rd, 2021 AT 3:58 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,777 POSTS
Hi,

There is a good chance that the parts store doesn't have a scan tool that can read codes other than engine codes.

I need to gain a better understanding or at least confirm what is happening.

When you experience the issue, does the engine rev as though it is in neutral? Have you checked to make sure the fluid is clean and full? Also, have you checked to make sure there isn't an issue with the shift linkage? Something could be preventing it from fully engaging in each gear.

I attached directions below for adjusting the shift linkage. Take a look through it and inspect your vehicle. Make sure the connector at the manual lever on the side of the trans isn't loose or damaged.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2021 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN STUDDARD
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Reverse will click in and if I give it a lot of gas. It will back up extremely slow and you can just hear the engine revving. Drive I only feel it go into gear here and there but if I put it in drive and try to go it just revs and rocks back and forth like the parking brakes stuck on. But if I put it in first or second, it'll take off just fine no drag or hesitation or well, I still feel a little hesitation, but I don't know if it's just because it's such a low gear or not but nothing like when it's in drive. But I can take off in a second get it up to about 40 or 45 and put it in drive and It'll click in and go. I still feel a little hesitation on big hills other than that it drives normal if I do it that way unless I slow down too much or come to a stop and then I got to start the process all over. Like I said I don't know a whole lot on transmissions but just really kind of stumps me that it would go into drive once I get up to a certain mileage but once I fall down below it's like it falls out of gear again but yet I can take off in first and second.
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2021 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,777 POSTS
Hi,

That does sound like a line pressure issue. It also could be the result of the linkage not fully engaging the transmission in the correct gear.

This could even be related to a partially plugged transmission oil cooler.

What we need to do is check the transmission line pressure. If the fluid is clean and full, we need to first confirm the linkage is tight and working properly. If that all checks good, then the line pressure needs checked.

If you look at the attachments below, I included the directions and diagnostics related to checking the transmission line pressure.

Let me know if you are comfortable performing the procedure.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Monday, October 4th, 2021 AT 6:39 PM

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