My Ranger's Demons have been finally be exorcised!

[TJC]

Drove my Ranger today and for the first time in a very long time it simply drove perfectly. No crazy transmission issues or rattling, it simply drove perfectly! Even my skeptical wife who urged me to "sell the lemon" mentioned how well behaved it was. The battery is holding its charge, the ride is quiet and comfortable. Acceleration is smooth. I think the last of the goblins are gone. It has been a long time coming, but I think everything is fixed now.

No more

• Low speed shudders, and high speed (>75mph) violent shakes ( Corrected with Tom Woods Driveshaft )
• Clunking when coming to a stop ( Corrected with Tom Woods Driveshaft )
• Missing / jerking at low steady speeds ( Corrected by replacing DPFE Sensor and new NGK Ruthenium HX Plugs)
• Low battery warnings ( Corrected by disabling ASS/BMS, Disabling TCU, and adding Onboard Desulfator )
• Severe Psychotic Transmission behaviors ( Corrected by changing Transmission fluid twice in the last 4 months (1500 miles) and adding LubeGard Platinum each time - which would have been extremely difficult to do without the MBS "Fitzstick" Transmission Dip Stick)
• AC clicking noises from behind the dash ( Fixed itself! )
• Wallowing like a whale ( installed Eibach shocks)
• Fear of Fan Hose Failing, destroying the sensor cable ( Replaced the weak hose with a HD Silicone one )

I still need to bleed my brakes, but that can wait until I complete the 1500 mile trip. I will probably replace the fluid completely rather than bleed them.

There are many good folks on this forum that I am extremely grateful to, for all their advice and counsel.

You all know who you are. Thank you! It is because of you that my Ranger wasn't unloaded this summer.

But be warned, if it self destructs on this upcoming trip, and my wife tells me "I warned you, I told you so!"...

I will not hesitate to throw all of you under the bus!



Seriously, thank you all. I really REALLY thought the transmission was beyond all hope.

- T

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[Msfitoy]

The Neked Rain Dance worked eh?

 

[TJC]

The Neked Rain Dance worked eh?

How'd you know????

 

[AzScorpion]

Holly crap, it works!

 

[TJC]

Holly crap, it works!

Don't think I wasn't saying prayers!

 

[AzScorpion]

Don't think I wasn't saying prayers!

You might be if it self destructs and you're stranded on your trip!

 

[TJC]

I would hope that it shows symptoms before cratering. FWIW, I pray constantly. I hope God doesn't get too bored with the conversation!

My dear wife says repeatedly that she is trusting me when I say it is running fine. Each time we get in the truck and it runs flawless it builds as tad more confidence.

Unfortunately, there was 18 months of anxiety that must be overcome. We literally drove it as little as possible until the issues were resolved. I didn't want to make it worse.

Last winter when it took 5 second transitions between shifts and I could actually hear the solenoids opening / closing was when it was parked almost indefinitely.

That incident mobilized me into trying the transmission fluid changes and the introduction of LubeGard Platinum. It was 98% better after the first round. At the time I thought it was perfect. I drove it everywhere on full alert for any glitch or sound. And I noticed that transition from 3rd to 4th was a tab bit harder than the other gears, and I heard an occasional rattle that I first thought was a loose heat shield, but later tied it to the shift transition.

So I thought if this fluid change and LubeGard helped maybe I should do it again. I first added another 8oz of LubeGard and drove it several hundred miles, that occasional rattle was much quieter and less frequent...but not eliminated. So I went full bore and changed the fluid again, and added back the amount of LubeGard Platinum that I had taken out.

This put me at 75% new fluid with 18 oz of LubeGard. This is where I am at today. And the transmission likes it! Very seamlessly smooth shifts, and no rattles.

And FWIW, the Fitzstick Dipstick made the job incredibly easy to do. I simply sucked out the fluid using an inexpensive 12v transfer pump into 1 gallon jugs that I carefully marked at quart increments. Then replaced with exactly the same amount that included the 18oz of LubeGard Platinum. Didn't spill a single drop!

If it requires a 3rd round it will put me at 87.5% new fluid.

I am at 21,500 miles on my 2020 Ranger, the last 1,000 of which has been symptom free.

I plan on changing fluid using this method at 10K mile intervals until I hit 50K when the PPE pan will go on when I change the transmission filter.

It seems like overkill, but I can change the fluid in 30 minutes without crawling under the truck.

It is much easier than changing the engine oil.

 

[carnut122]

Don't think I wasn't saying prayers!

It's all fun and games until the pea soup.

 

[TJC]

One last final entry. I am at ~ 22,500 miles with no problems. The truck has been performing quite well. The trucks performance was perfect (i can't believe that I am saying this).

We went trough terribly hard and long rain storms on the way up (the remains of Helene). I checked my UPR catch can before leaving and emptied it. A few days after arriving home I checked the can again and it had substantial water in it! It was filthy was lumps of oil mixed in with gas and water.

I emptied it ( cleaned it with brake cleaner) and reinstalled. Took it for a grocery run and it is still running great. I am beginning to think my 12K nightmare is over. The transmission is actually behaving itself.

 

[TJC]

I am now within 400 miles of 25K with a functioning transmission again. Since changing the fluid and adding LubeGard twice I have taken two trips to upstate NY, ~1350 miles each.

I did notice 2 hiccups on the last trip, both on the way back. I stopped to refuel and noticed the truck didn't want to release when coming to a stop. It was only a fraction of a second, but it was real. The second was less noticeable and didn't affect the shift, but I heard the 6th to 7th shift solenoid chatter a little when energizing. Also note that I am hypersensitive to any changes in the transmission behavior after having lived with severe transmission issues for 12K miles.

Considering where I came from I think this is excellent news. I may cycle through the transmission fluid for a 3rd time at the 25K mile engine oil change coming up.

I am now confident enough to keep the truck long term. My wife still refuses to drive it. She is out right now in our 2005 Ranger. She is no longer out right negative, but she still a bit gun shy.

 

[got3fords]

Considering where I came from I think this is excellent news. I may cycle through the transmission fluid for a 3rd time at the 25K mile engine oil change coming up.

How are you removing the oil, pump?

 

[TJC]

Yes, an inexpensive 12V transfer pump up through the MBS FitzStick Dipstick. It is really very easy to do. And no mess at all. Takes about 30 minutes to do the job. And all from under the hood.

 

[got3fords]

Yes, an inexpensive 12V transfer pump up through the MBS FitzStick Dipstick. It is really very easy to do. And no mess at all. Takes about 30 minutes to do the job. And all from under the hood.

Nice! Probably get one of those. I had the dealer flush and then added a 15z. Lubeguard Platinum. Seems to be shifting pretty darn good.

 

[ctechbob]

And no mess at all.

I'm living proof that doesn't always happen

Thanks for the update!! Glad to hear things are working out for you.

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