Bronco Transmission

[JMer811]

Hi All, new to this forum but have already found several really helpful things. Thanks in advance.

Question, my Bronco will only shift/drive in 1st and 2nd gear (not D). It is a 3 speed automatic.

Any suggestions on how to get it to also drive in “D”?

Thanks!

 

[DirtDonk]

That's an interesting one. Doesn't necessarily sound like a linkage issue, but then again, it might still can be.
What exactly is it doing? Does it seem to go into N and P just at the positions expected? Is it a stock steering column and shifter that you can tell?
When in 2 does it start off in first and then shift, or does it just go directly into second like it's supposed to? The Ford transmissions were set up to start in second gear when called upon to do so. Rather than still starting in first, then shifting up.

Oh, and first things first. Have you checked the fluid level currently? And if so, how did you check it? Hot idle in Park I think? Someone here will remember.

Good luck. Hopefully it's just a quick fix and not a looming rebuild.

Paul

 

[JMer811]

That's an interesting one. Doesn't necessarily sound like a linkage issue, but then again, it might still can be.
What exactly is it doing? Does it seem to go into N and P just at the positions expected? Is it a stock steering column and shifter that you can tell?
When in 2 does it start off in first and then shift, or does it just go directly into second like it's supposed to? The Ford transmissions were set up to start in second gear when called upon to do so. Rather than still starting in first, then shifting up.

Oh, and first things first. Have you checked the fluid level currently? And if so, how did you check it? Hot idle in Park I think? Someone here will remember.

Good luck. Hopefully it's just a quick fix and not a looming rebuild.

Paul

Hi Paul,
Appreciate the help. Fluids all look good when I checked at hot/idle. Basically it seems like when I go from N to D it need to shift all the way to 2 to start going. I wonder if the actual shifter is just misaligned. Because it then can go from 2 to 1 and then there is even a bit of space past 1. So maybe “2” is really drive?

 

[JMer811]

That's an interesting one. Doesn't necessarily sound like a linkage issue, but then again, it might still can be.
What exactly is it doing? Does it seem to go into N and P just at the positions expected? Is it a stock steering column and shifter that you can tell?
When in 2 does it start off in first and then shift, or does it just go directly into second like it's supposed to? The Ford transmissions were set up to start in second gear when called upon to do so. Rather than still starting in first, then shifting up.

Oh, and first things first. Have you checked the fluid level currently? And if so, how did you check it? Hot idle in Park I think? Someone here will remember.

Good luck. Hopefully it's just a quick fix and not a looming rebuild.

Paul

Hi Paul,
Appreciate the help. Fluids all look good when I checked at hot/idle. Basically it seems like when I go from N to D it need to shift all the way to 2 to start going. I wonder if the actual shifter is just misaligned. Because it then can go from 2 to 1 and then there is even a bit of space past 1. So maybe “2” is really drive?

Hi Paul,
Appreciate the help. Fluids all look good when I checked at hot/idle. Basically it seems like when I go from N to D it need to shift all the way to 2 to start going. I wonder if the actual shifter is just misaligned. Because it then can go from 2 to 1 and then there is even a bit of space past 1. So maybe “2” is really drive?

 

[JMer811]

Hi Paul,
Appreciate the help. Fluids all look good when I checked at hot/idle. Basically it seems like when I go from N to D it need to shift all the way to 2 to start going. I wonder if the actual shifter is just misaligned. Because it then can go from 2 to 1 and then there is even a bit of space past 1. So maybe “2” is really drive?

And yes it is just a standard shifter in steering wheel.

 

[DirtDonk]

It's always possible that, after all these years, the linkage just needs some TLC/tweaking.
Maybe just a simple adjustment, maybe a new bushing or two.

Do the backup lamps light up in Reverse? And Park and Reverse seem to be in their proper place?

Paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

If you ignore the indicator and just count the clicks. You should be able to tell where you really are at on the transmission. Just keep the shifter pulled toward you and ignore the detents on the column at the moment.

Now if you have neutral when in drive (and stopped), but have 1st when pulled all the way down. You have a failed low gear sprag (one way clutch). You should be able to drive and get up to speed in 2nd gear and shift into drive and still have driving force. So long as you never slow down enough to demand 1st gear (in drive).
This works because manual 1st gear engages the low/reverse band. This is intended to add engine braking in manual 1st gear that you would not normally get in drive 1st gear. The no engine braking in drive 1st gear does a couple things to keep things drivable. You don't get the shock of a 2-1 downshift as you slow. And as a safety if the governor fails and suddenly says you are stopped and decides to downshift to first at highway speeds. You might zing the engine, but won't lock up the rear wheels and crash into a ditch.

 

[JMer811]

Thanks guys. Yes the rear lights work in reverse. It seems it only gets off kilter when it goes to drive which is really neutral. I’ll need to do some tlc on the gear as you suggested.

 

[ntsqd]

Were EB's ever fitted with the Green Dot C4's?

 

[Viperwolf1]

Were EB's ever fitted with the Green Dot C4's?

Not from Ford. I'm sure some yahoo has done it though.

 

[ntsqd]

I thought the age range might be off, but if not I wondered if that might explain the OP's problem.

 

[SLOWnEASY]

Thanks guys. Yes the rear lights work in reverse. It seems it only gets off kilter when it goes to drive which is really neutral. I’ll need to do some tlc on the gear as you suggested.

Is neutral on the steering column indicator actually reverse and reverse on the steering column indicator actually park?

 

[DirtDonk]

Yeah, I know. I'm such a buzz-kill!
I just don't have the time to do all the fun stuff, so I hate it when others can do all that cool custom fab work and jigging and jury rigging for testing.
I still have a GoPro with special mounts that I was going to do a full thing on rear axle-wrap on Broncos. Same Bronco, but with different spring setups without any traction devices.
I think I borrowed that camera three years ago!

Anyway, here's my go-to calculator:
https://www.randysworldwide.com/pages/rpm

Looks like 3350-ish rpm at 70mph with an auto, if the tires are an actual 29.5" diameter.
If you want to dig even deeper, you can find the "revolutions per mile" of the exact tire (at least when new) and factor that into your figuring for comparison.

Paul

 

[bronco italiano]

Disconnect the linkage at the trans amd go through the gears. WTH is a green dot C4?

 

[ntsqd]

Green Dot C4's start out in second when put in Drive. You only get first if you deliberately shift to it. There's more to it than that, but I don't recall the details. The name comes from the fact that cars equipped this way have a white circle filled with a green dot at the "D" position on the gear indicator part of the shifter. My '66 long body Econoline was a Green Dot trans.

 

[Madgyver]

FireBronco had the same issues.
It would go in 1st and 2nd but no engagement in final drive.
Taz took care of it with a spare C4 swap on Tuesday. He got it driving yesterday. Now he is out fishing again.

Pulled C4 will get looked at and overhauled on our bench.

 

[DirtDonk]

Learned something new again today. I thought all Ford transmissions shifted that way.
Don’t remember hearing the term “green dot“, but it’s very possible I have and just lost the meaning in the past.

 

[ntsqd]

I vaguely recall reading that the thought behind it was to force a second gear start in snow and other traction limited conditions. Like how is sometimes done with a manual trans.

 

[bronco italiano]

Green Dot C4's start out in second when put in Drive. You only get first if you deliberately shift to it. There's more to it than that, but I don't recall the details. The name comes from the fact that cars equipped this way have a white circle filled with a green dot at the "D" position on the gear indicator part of the shifter. My '66 long body Econoline was a Green Dot trans.

So this wasn't a factory EB trans then?

 

[bronco italiano]

I vaguely recall reading that the thought behind it was to force a second gear start in snow and other traction limited conditions. Like how is sometimes done with a manual trans.

Interesting as my Meathead Uncle used to say to start in 2nd gear in the snow or in ice