99 Ranger transmission issue

[Allan]

99 Ranger 4x4, 3.0 V6, Auto, 109K miles

About 2 weeks ago, the transmission has started to "lurch" when shifting from 1st to 2nd. Effect is worsened by the degree of acceleration. If I turn off overdrive, I have more forgiveness with acceleration before I get the lurching. All other shifts are smooth.

No touble lights or codes. I checked the fluid level when I first felt the change in performance. It was something less then a quart down, though I have not noticed a leak. I topped the level off. I have had it flushed & filled at 50K and 100K. It's possible that it wasn't filled fully at the last change.

Any thought on what the culprit may be, or advice?

[way2old]

There is a possibility the 1-2 shift servo has a seal leaking or a spring broken. The low fluid level may have been due to improper fill at last flush. Can you smell any burnt smell in the fluid? Fords are also weak at the forward clutch pack in the OD portion. Good luck with it.

[monkeyhallow]

It may sound strange but try replacing the Vehicle Speed Sensor at the rear axel Its only about $24 and 5-10 minutes work. I had a ranger that started out with the same problem
and it got progresively worse and replacing the VSS fixed it in 10 minutes.(It was a 2WD model but if it has same sensor try
it anyway your ford dealer will have a whole box of these things if that tells you anything.)

hope it helps.