The Truck:
2000 Ranger XL, 5-speed manual, 4x4, 122k miles

The Problem Description:
Press clutch in, pressure feels normal, no noise. Operate gear lever toward any gear, will not engage, as in, will not move into the gear to attempt to engage. No noise when operating the lever.

Attempted Fixes:
Trusted Mechanic (tm) who doesn't work on Trannies, but will work on clutches gave the whole clutch system a once over. Checked fluids, linkages, etc. The clutch appears to be okay.

When the lever will not go into gear, I can go back to neutral and giggle it a little, then to back to my desired gear with success.

Suggestions:
Okay, I am certain it is the transmission. Any ideas on what the problem might be? Maybe there is something I can before having to take it to have the trannie torn down? The problem just started happening, literally 2 days ago with no warning.

Does this happen when you are stopped, or moving, or both?

When it happens, if you let up the clutch pedal and then depress it again, does anything change?

Has the trans fluid been changed in the past 122k miles? If not, start there and use a good synthetic atf.

Sounds like to me the clutch isnt fully disengaging or the syncros are bad...but if it wont go into any gear i would suspect clutch system.

Will it go into any gear??


Just my 2 cents

This happens when stopped or moving. I have not separately tested if just releasing the clutch and pressing it again lets me shift, because I have a tendency to relax on the shift lever when I do that. Going back to middle neutral area, and then trying to shift again has been working, with the clutch continued to be pressed in.

I will have to ask my Trusted Mechanic when my last tranny fluid change was. What specific brands of synthetic ATF have you guys found that works with the 5-speed manuals?

This morning, I chalked it up to being cold when I first tried to leave my driveway. The problem did not happen again for the rest of my commute.

I used Mobil 1 atf, but I really think any synthetic will be okay. I changed mine at 75k and it made a huge difference in how it shifted.

I have an appointment with my Trusted Mechanic (tm) change out my tranny oil, as well as a few other things. I report back if this changes anything.

I do know this, if someone put 75w-90 in transmission you may not be able to get it into gear when cold and it kinda will shift when warmed up. I rebuilt a M5od R2 as a carry out and the guy brought truck to me and said you cant shift it (it was winter time), i put it up on rack and checked the fluid and it had 75W-90 in it drained it and put in proper fluid and it worked great.

I have 3 quarts of Mobile 1 synthetic ATF ready for my mechanic.

Mine does it rarely when its cold... Is very tough to get it into 1st gear, sometimes tough to shift into 2nd. this is with my brand new '08, and my 06 did he same thing. doesn't worry me much. only happens bout one a month.

Does this happen when you are stopped, or moving, or both?

When it happens, if you let up the clutch pedal and then depress it again, does anything change?

Has the trans fluid been changed in the past 122k miles? If not, start there and use a good synthetic atf.

Why would he use an ATF if its a standard... clutch uses Dot 3 brake fluid and gear box uses gear oil..

Why would he use an ATF if its a standard... gear box uses gear oil..
No, the M5OD calls for Mercon ATF...

I followed the recommendation of Mobile 1 synthetic ATF (it worked for one of you, so it would probably work for me!) for my tranny. The fluid got swapped out today and the shifting feels improved. Only at first when the tranny was cold from having sat all day did it act up, but after that, everything was easy.

Day 2 of new fluid change: no problems with shifting, not even at first with the temps outside being 10 degrees.

From the folks at Danco Transmission: Destroyed Clutch.

They saved the old clutch for me so I could take pictures of it. I will post them later when I get my truck back from them.

Danco put in a new clutch assembly. The cylinders were okay. A big bill in the end, but not as big as if it had been a tranny problem. This repair definitely put a dent in any 'upgrade' budget I may have had for the truck.