2000 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 .
Recemtly was backing out of my driveway and heard a “CLUNK”. Thought I hit something so I stopped and got out, but nothing. When I tried to reverse again it was as if I was in Neutral.
Since then I’ve had to change gears multiple times to get reverse to engage.
Is this a trans issue or a link, or something else?
Any simple way to diagnose?
Again, thank you for any help or insight into this issue. This forum has been a huge help to me in multiple ways and hasn’t let me down once.
I appreciate it.
-Mike

 

Reverse requires the highest Pressure to engage, so its common for people to have issues with Reverse first when there are pressure issues in any automatic

All automatics operate on Fluid Pressure
At the front of the transmission is a Pump(front pump, but also the only pump, lol)
The Pump is connected to the outside of torque converter, which is connected to the engine, so pump spins at engine RPMs

Fluid is sent, under pressure, to the Valve Body
Valve body routes this fluid to clutches and bands(brakes) to hold them engaged or disengaged, and that selects the gears
This routing of pressure was done using ball valves and springs on older automatics
It's now done with electric solenoids to make things smoother and more relible

When you use the Shifter you are manually selecting the pressure routing
So if R is manually selected then pressure is routed to select Reverse, no solenoids
Forward gears require minimum pressure of 105psi
Reverse needs minimum 150psi
So any internal leaks and you lose Reverse, but forward gears would be fine
To confirm pressure loss, REV engine a bit to see if Reverse engages

There are a few other reasons to lose Reverse but it usually wouldn't start to work again like Reverse loss from low pressure would

You can have pressure tested, there are two external ports to test pressure inside running transmission

You have a 4R44E in a 2000 Ranger 3.0l
Good read on this family of automatics here: https://atracom.blob.core.windows.ne.../2003_5_50.pdf
There is a pressure chart

And no, its not shifter linkage

 

Thanks for the lesson! ( not being sarcastic!) I’ll try revving the engine and see what the results are.
If it does end up being the issue , is this a costly repair?
Thank you again, your help is greatly appreciated!

 

Automatic transmission's can't be diagnosed like an engine issue, they have too many inter-dependent systems
A transmission tech may be able to guess, "educated guess", but its still a guess

Plan on a full rebuild, and if its less costly be happy

Just as an example, no reverse symptom
Could be:
Low fluid level
Dirty filter
Weak pump
Leaking gasket
Leaking seal
Clogged passage
Failing sprag(one-way clutch)
OD drum
Clutch or band issue

Engine has a misfire
spark
fuel
compression