# 2004 Ford Ranger 4.0 4x4 Shifting Problems

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-ranger-4-0-4x4-shifting-problems/55245>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford, ranger\
**Created:** [September 17, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-ranger-4-0-4x4-shifting-problems/55245 "2010-09-17T16:18:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Fordranger1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc29f/32.png) [@Fordranger1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Fordranger1)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-ranger-4-0-4x4-shifting-problems/55245/1 "2010-09-17T16:18:45Z")

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My truck will sit for two to three days between drives. It is a manual trans. After a few days of no driving I cannot get into first or second gear at all. I have to start it in gear and then go. Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-ranger-4-0-4x4-shifting-problems/55245/2 "2010-09-17T16:28:38Z")

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Try shifting the transmission with the engine off. If it shifts then you have a clutch problem like low clutch fluid, air in the system or a faulty clutch or clutch plate. If it won’t shift with the engine off then it’s probably a transmission problem. Have you checked the transmission fluid?

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**Author:** ![Fordranger1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc29f/32.png) [@Fordranger1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Fordranger1)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-ranger-4-0-4x4-shifting-problems/55245/3 "2010-09-17T17:22:54Z")

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It does shift when the engine is off. Transmission fluid looks good as well. If I drive the truck everyday then this problem does not exist.

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-ford-ranger-4-0-4x4-shifting-problems/55245/4 "2010-09-17T20:46:54Z")

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Have you checked the clutch fluid lately? You must have a clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder that is going bad. You might want to have them checked by a good mechanic before you are stranded on the side of the road. The next time you have this problem just pump the clutch pedal several times before trying to shift into first gear.