Questions and Answers

Ford Ranger Hard Shift Q. What would be the causes of my 1994 Ford Ranger going (occasionally, less than 50%) into first and reverse a bit hard (even though it's an automatic transmission). It doesn't feel like a parts shattering lurch, but it seems significant. My Father put some friction modifier in that didn't seem to do much. Any ideas?

1994 Ford Ranger Splash
4.0 liter V-6
Automatic transmission
132,000 miles
Fuel Injected
ABS brakes
P/S - A/C - Cruise control
Rack and pinion steering
I'm not sure, but this is a transmission question!

Thanks,
Dan

A. Dan, it is better for me to have the information and not need it than to need the information and not have it. I do not have the vehicle in front of me so I rely on the information you send me, information like brake type, steering type, 4WD or 2WD. All of this helps me try to come up with the most likely causes of a particular problem.

In this case I would check the idle speed. That is the most common cause of a hard initial shift. The other thing would be to change the automatic transmission fluid and filter. A dirty or sticking valve body is the next most common cause of an occasional hard shift.