Oppo! I need a little help/advice.

"Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey" (dingersghost)
11/21/2014 at 19:35 • Filed to: None

Lately my truck has been having trouble going into reverse. It's a 2001 Ford Ranger, with the 3.0 and an auto. IIRC, the transmission is a 55R5E.

The trouble started once it started getting really cold. Every so often, when I put the truck in reverse, it acts like it's in neutral. I have back up lights, and the dash says it's in reverse, but there's no movement, no "lurch" when I put it in reverse, no idle drop, anything.

I checked the ATF and it was low, so I added a quart.

The problem also occurs regardless of engine temp. I've had it happen both at op temp and cold. The last time the trans had any major service done on it was back in Sept. or Oct. when I dropped the pan, and installed a new filter and gasket, and refilled the trans.

I'm just really confused. Usually I can get reverse back by moving the truck slightly forward in drive, then putting it back in reverse.

Could it possibly be a linkage that needs adjusted? Or is it time to start parking with a way out going forward until I can afford a new transmission, which if I put one in would be the 4th (!) since my dad bought the truck. The original was rebuilt, and then that rebuild later failed and was replaced. So far, I haven't seen any of the symptoms of the first failures. The only problem I've had is some slight occasional slipping of second gear.

DISCUSSION (12)

Spacegrass > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
11/21/2014 at 20:01

You fed it Mercon V i'm assuming. Did you check it in neutral, engine running? Just curious, fluid has to be at 120 psi, low fluid would cause this, and its not a common fault of the 5r55e.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Spacegrass
11/21/2014 at 20:10

I did use V. I checked it in park, running and warm. I could still be low on fluid and didn't even realize it.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Spacegrass
11/21/2014 at 20:11

Oh and I followed you for Oppo! You should be out of the gray now!

Spacegrass > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
11/21/2014 at 20:18

Those transmissions don't have a tendency to lose reverse (they usually slip 2 and 3 long before lol [I had Sport Trac}). Give it another look, just for the hell of it, viscosity changes with temp.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Spacegrass
11/21/2014 at 20:21

I will do that! Thanks! Mine has some slip in two, sometimes it just even decides to skip it all together depending on what I do (Hooray! Trying to get to 55-60 from 30 in one gear! Yay!) but sometimes the slip/delay is convenient on down shifts because it'll put me right in the powerband.

Spacegrass > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
11/21/2014 at 20:27

Hahaha. Ya know, the worst part about all the issues with this trans, is its the valve body...shift kit!

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Spacegrass
11/21/2014 at 20:28

Thats a possibility. Honestly, if this truck needs another trans I want to look into a manual swap. I really do love this truck, I grew up in the thing. I just can't think of letting it go.

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
11/21/2014 at 20:32

M5OD swap would cure what ails ye.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
11/21/2014 at 20:34

It would, but I'd need a bellhousing adapter-if they make one. M5's were for 4.0s, I've got a 3

EDIT: Maybe it wasn't just for 4.0's. I guess I read wrong.

Spacegrass > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
11/21/2014 at 20:38

Do it. Do it. Do it!!! What engine, 3 or 4 liter?

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Spacegrass
11/21/2014 at 21:04

3. The wonderful Vulcan!

Spacegrass > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
11/21/2014 at 21:34

Hey the honorable Vulcan ain't anything to sneeze at lol.. But while I'm on the subject...Easy swap, you have something I've been trying to Frankenstein... Find a computer, a trans, and if you're ambitious (optional) a SHO intake setup, and you'll have something to put anything else on the road to shame...