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Transmission will not shift into reverse?

Tiny
VIRGOBLK
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
My transmission won't shift into reverse or neutral but will shift into drive and park. What could it be?
Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 AT 11:53 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
More then likely you have a shifter that is out of adjustment or damaged. Basically there is a linkage that connects the shift arm in the truck to the shifter on the side of the transmission. When this gets out of adjustment or damaged it will not put the vehicle in the correct gear. Normally reverse and neutral are the most common to not engage. Drive has a detent that can normally be found even with it is out of adjustment.

I attached the process for replacing the linkage. We need to remove and it make sure it is not damaged and the reinstall following the process so that it gets adjusted correctly.

Let us know what questions you have. Thanks
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Friday, December 4th, 2020 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
OQUINN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Sometimes when I put it in drive it goes in reverse and sometimes it takes little bit to move.
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
If it shifts to reverse when you place it in drive, it has to be a shift linkage issue. Check that first. Also, the delay may be the result of no being fully engaged in gear resulting from the linkage.
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TXSOUNDMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I've got a 1994 Ford Explorer whch this morning decided not to go into reverse. I have been having a problem with it shifting in the morning and on colds days but niot any problems with transmission slipping. I know the fluild needs repalced but everyone is telling me if I chenge it it will make it worse and it probably wll get worse. What can I check sensor, shifting module?

Thanks
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Its an internal tranny failure
I doubt changing filter and fluid will help
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TXSOUNDMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Are you saying it needs rebuilt completely? Why would it just go out?

Thanks

Shawn
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Its a band inside the tranny and they wear out
and brake
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TRADITIONALTOOL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My transmission drives and shifts fine when driving in drive. When you put it in reverse, 1st or second gear, it acts like it is under a load. It doesnt apear to be "slipping" but acts as if you have your foot on the brake. The truck will go but you must give it alot of gas. When driving normal, it seems to be operating fine. The transmission was rebuilt about 15K miles ago but not real confident as to the work performed. Thanks in advance for any guidance!
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
I would take it back. Actually, when you place it in 2nd gear, it will start out in that gear, so it will feel like there is a load on it. However, there is a band for the low and reverse clutch pack that may need adjusted, of the clutch pack itself may not be engaging properly.
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLY JACKSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1991 FORD EXPLORER
Transmission problem
1991 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Manual

Once I shift into reverse, letting off the clutch will kick it out of gear, I also cannot shift into overdive. No indication of trouble was noted beforehand, 1st thru 4th gear work without any problem. The transmission goes into reverse without trouble, it just kicks out when clutch released. Any help appreciated, Billy Jackson
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
You need to remove the transmission and take it apart. It sounds like the syncros are bad. What happens when you put it in 5th gear?
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLY JACKSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
In response to your question can I shift into 5th gear, that is overdrive on this model, and, no I cannot shift into 5th gear. Everything else works perfectly. Thanks, billy
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
If it is grinding or will not shift into OD at all, the trans needs taken apart. Something has either come apart or the syncroizers are bad.
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TNMIKEY5
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • FORD EXPLORER
The car seems to be in great shape although it has over 135,000 miles. I test drove it and everything seems fine. I noticed that when I put the car in reverse to back out of the driveway the gear indicator on the dash (P R N D 2 1) did not match up with the gear I was in. In other words when I was in reverse the needle indiactor was between R and N. WHen I was in Drive the needle was between D and 2 and so on. Is that a sign that there is a potential transmission problem looming or is it just a sign of the age and mileage on the vehicle? Is there something else I should look for to identify a transmission problem? As I said it drive fine and I didn't notice anything unusual about the shifting etc.
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DB554
  • MECHANIC
  • 35 POSTS
I have one with 250,000 miles and it does the same thing. If you want you can go under the car and loosen the linkige to the trans. From the shifter to adj. The shifter. I have never done this on mine because I never felt it was nessary but it is easy to do.
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HEAVYDUTY
  • MEMBER
  • 60 POSTS
DO NOT adjust the linkage to move the pointer needle for the selector. There is an adjustable string under the column to adjust the pointer
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SIOMY
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • FORD EXPLORER
I have a 1998 ford explorer with 112000 miles 4.0 engine. I shifted into reverse it moved a few feet when I heard a thump and she stopped moving.
Now she won't even engage will I need to rebuild?
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Maybe? The first gear you loose when the pump is weak is reverse! Takes twice the pressure drive gears do! Any leak between the engine and tranny?
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SIOMY
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
No leaks fluid level normal
she will engage on drive gear
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 9:05 AM (Merged)

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