99 Ford Ranger XLT extended cab, 4.0, automatic, fixed exhaust leak now truck doesn't want to engage in any gear

[Carmella_the_dangerranger]

Just like the title says, I was working on replacing an exhaust leak from a broken flange bolt, and had the truck jacked up on the driver's side. Fixed the leak, started it while the side was lifted to verify that the leak was fixed before lowering it. Buttoned everything up, hopped in with the dog to do a test drive, and like the title says, would shift into gear and nothing would happen, in any gear. I lifted it again, checked the linkage, and everything seems to be functioning normally (to my limited knowledge). I unplugged the battery and replaced every fuse that appeared to be related to shifting or the transmission-still nothing— throwing it to the Reddit sphere to see if a more experienced professional tech or anyone has ever seen this in a Ranger or anything. I hung up my wrench and had it towed to the local shop that I trust, sure they'll figure it out. But the intrigue of what it could be is driving me nuts (just not in any gear). I also checked the transmission fluid; it was at normal levels and color.

 

[SenorNoob]

Welcome to TRS!

That's odd for sure. Please post what it ends up being.

 

[rumblecloud]

Prolly something so simple that it was overlooked or just wasn't obvious. A loose tranny connection, broken wiring?

Very curious indeed. And yes, please let us know what you find.

Welcome to TRS.

 

[Carmella_the_dangerranger]

Update: it’s been at the local shop since last Friday. I called yesterday and they said it was “still in the to be looked at status”. Which is nuts, but that’s how things go around here sometimes. I’m assuming I won’t know anything until this time next week. Only thing I can think it could be is I must’ve struck the shift cable while trying to get the exhaust bolt which in turn busted one of the plastic bushings. Who knows though, and like I said, not gonna know for a minute.

 

[sgtsandman]

Update: it’s been at the local shop since last Friday. I called yesterday and they said it was “still in the to be looked at status”. Which is nuts, but that’s how things go around here sometimes. I’m assuming I won’t know anything until this time next week. Only thing I can think it could be is I must’ve struck the shift cable while trying to get the exhaust bolt which in turn busted one of the plastic bushings. Who knows though, and like I said, not gonna know for a minute.

Depending on their back log and what they currently have on their plate, it is possible they haven't even looked at it yet. The better the garage reputation, the larger the back log is.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Depending on their back log and what they currently have on their plate, it is possible they haven't even looked at it yet. The better the garage reputation, the larger the back log is.

Depends on the garage. The little ones that have loads of junk-looking cars sitting around for years are a different story. One of those is near me. I wouldn't use that shop for anything more than state inspections.

 

[Carmella_the_dangerranger]

Depends on the garage. The little ones that have loads of junk-looking cars sitting around for years are a different story. One of those is near me. I wouldn't use that shop for anything more than state inspections.

This shop is on the borderline of being one of those. They've done good work for me in the past; they're just aggressively southern (I'm from here...can say that). They struggle with timeframes and communicating that they are backlogged. If I don't hear from them by Wednesday, it'll be another week.

This is all just fuel for me to build a detached garage. If the truck hadn't been blocking the driveway, I would've just left it where it was and slowly triaged it at home until I figured out what was wrong.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

This shop is on the borderline of being one of those. They've done good work for me in the past; they're just aggressively southern (I'm from here...can say that). They struggle with timeframes and communicating that they are backlogged. If I don't hear from them by Wednesday, it'll be another week.

This is all just fuel for me to build a detached garage. If the truck hadn't been blocking the driveway, I would've just left it where it was and slowly triaged it at home until I figured out what was wrong.

The shop I described has irritated me in the past for other reasons: closed on Friday, so working only Monday–Thursday, and closing for weeks at a time because, reasons, I guess.

Really, some small businesses are their own worst enemies. Then they wonder why they don't get the business. A while back I described being ghosted by yard contractors who didn't show up as scheduled to give estimates on work I needed done. No phone, no text, full voicemail. What some of these mom-and-pop auto shops do is just more of the same.

 

[Carmella_the_dangerranger]

Well, we have a small update. The shop near me is confident in this diagnosis:

They shared that they don't do transmission repair, just replacement. That they don't have the resources to diagnose further. They recommended two transmission shops, about thirty minutes away. One of which has no availability until the new year, the other can review it in a week or two and provide their prognosis.

Bummer, this might be the end of this little ranger. I don't have 5k in the cards right now to throw at a 2k vehicle.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Would a trans swap yourself be an option? Check out this link:

SPP Precision 5R55E

Make sure this is the model. If yours is different, check the SPP site.

 

[Carmella_the_dangerranger]

Would a trans swap yourself be an option? Check out this link:

SPP Precision 5R55E

Make sure this is the model. If yours is different, check the SPP site.

That may be an option. I'm still not super confident in the last shop's diagnosis. Seems like a red flag when they say "yea, we don't actually look inside the pan or anything.".

It's a long shot, but it could be a valve body issue or a litany of other things if there is no fluid pressure. The shop I had it taken to only does transmissions and seemingly has a good reputation. The only red flag I felt in conversing with them was that they said, "It's pretty much 4k if we have to take the transmission out and put it back in."

I've never personally done a swap, but with specialty tools and SPP precision pricing, it looks like I'd only be in for 3k and a weekend of pain...

 

[Carmella_the_dangerranger]

Another update, the ranger may live after all! Found a small, reputable transmission shop that is confident the pump went out somehow and is going to do a complete rebuild.

She should be back by this time next week!