OK mechanics....need help.

[Goldeneagle]

My Ford Ranger started throwing a P0761 code. This is for the 3rd gear solenoid. The thing is, it's shifting just fine. All the research I've done say's the O.D. light should be blinking, but it's not. I'm beginning to think the ECM is having a problem. My code reader will indicate all the I/M monitors are ready, but when I clear the trans code, it also resets everything else. I can drive it to reset all the I/M monitors, but the code comes back. Clear codes and I/M monitors go out of whack again. What in the crap can cause this?

[91cavgt]

You fed them after midnight didn't you? Those electrical gremlins can be a HUGE pain.

[Goldeneagle]

You fed them after midnight didn't you? Those electrical gremlins can be a HUGE pain.

You got that right! I've found guy's that had to change the solenoid out, some the internal wiring harness, some the external harness, some the ECM, some just had a bad ground and one guy just changed the fluid and filter and fixed his. If my son wasn't needing this vehicle so bad, we could have a tannerite party with it.

[HTDUCK]

What year model and which engine is in it ?

[Goldeneagle]

1996 3.0

[Texas Tracker]

Flush fluid change filter. Always go with the cheap fix first and see what happens.

[dropem]

Randy I'm waiting to hear back from my transmission guy. I'll let you know what he says.

[HTDUCK]

1. Start with monitoring the voltage on the shift solenoid 3 circuit Pink/Black(PK/B) at Powertrain Control Module (PCM) pin 53. It should be battery voltage until the PCM commands 4th gear, then the voltage should drop to 0 indicating the PCM is grounding the wire. If the PCM grounds the circuit, but the transmission doesn't upshift, then there is a mechanical problem inside the transmission or the shift solenoid mechanically isn't working.

[Goldeneagle]

Flush fluid change filter. Always go with the cheap fix first and see what happens.

That's on the agenda for Saturday.

Randy I'm waiting to hear back from my transmission guy. I'll let you know what he says.

Thanks brutha.

1. Start with monitoring the voltage on the shift solenoid 3 circuit Pink/Black(PK/B) at Powertrain Control Module (PCM) pin 53. It should be battery voltage until the PCM commands 4th gear, then the voltage should drop to 0 indicating the PCM is grounding the wire. If the PCM grounds the circuit, but the transmission doesn't upshift, then there is a mechanical problem inside the transmission or the shift solenoid mechanically isn't working.

It's shifting fine.

[HTDUCK]

It's shifting fine.

All the way to 4th gear ?
Instrument cluster have a tach in it ?

[Goldeneagle]

All the way to 4th gear ?
Instrument cluster have a tach in it ?

Sorry I just got back to this. My son tells me it goes into 4th just fine. I can't remember if it has a tach or not. I'll check with him.


You hear anything yet dropem?

[DJM]

Before you spend a dime check that all your grounds are clean and tight.

DJ

[Goldeneagle]

Before you spend a dime check that all your grounds are clean and tight.

DJ

That's first thing to happen Sat. morning. Plus changing the filter and fluid in tranny. Son said it didn't look all that bad, but didn't smell right. The fluid and filter needs to be done anyways.

[Charles]

Remove the blue oval deeleeo and replace with a Chevy bowtie embling

HI RANDY!

[dropem]

Randy my trans. guy said it's most likely the solenoid. Make sure to check the harness as well. That is his best guess with out doing diagnostics on it.