Transmission problem: When cold, will not shift into gear.

How long does it take for it to finally get going? I don't know how plug wires would cause this, but I am not an expert.

Possible the fluid may not be up to temp or they could possibly both be low on fluid. But i believe the plugs and wires would have nothing to do with the trans.

Since you worked on this yourself doublecheck all wire connections in the area that you might have bumped. It is easy to loosen one without realizing it.

Double check fluid level , low level will cause delayed engagement into gear. Also double check you didn't knock a wire connector loose when working on the spark plugs and wires.

you could also check the transmission filter if it is clogged up it could cause it to seem like the transmission is going out

changing plugs and wires would not affect the tranny,if it was working before the tun up,you may have knocked off a vac line or unpluged a scensor connector.

I tend to agree with the thought you disconnected something. Perhaps go back though each of the steps you performed when changing the plugs wires. I think maybe command module in tranny. you should be able to get a code reader from local parts store plug it in and read codes.

I also tend to agree with the disconnect suspicion. (The first 3 times I responded to a check engine light on 2 different cars, it was disconnected O2 sensor after routine work. Can anyone suggest which connectors to look at? (I have the same problem on a ranger I bought just after the engine & tranny were rebuilt)

Your tranny problems are vacuum related or internal in the transmission. There is also a possibility that there is some type of solenoid that has gone bad. Depending on if it is automatic or standard

What if transmission don't go n reverse or drive 97 Ford ranger

Time for a new one!

I have the same problem with my 98 Ford Ranger 4 on the floor. I go out some mornings and it just will not shift into any gear, I can go out around noon and it will engage, What does the temperature have to do with the gears not shifting?

My 1994 automatic won’t go into gear or slips out when cold and tranny fluid is leaking from up around the bell housing. Should I just add more fluid or is there a bigger issue?

original neutral safety switch was full of water. i replaced it. i reason the connections inside the neutral safety switch may be moist with water, and on cold mornings could be frosty preventing electric connection,

I also have a problem with transmission ford expo 4x4 never had check engine light other then traction control blinking. 2 weeks before I really f’d it up when I will put it to drive it will not engage on the the gear like if it was in neutral gave it a little gas and it’ll hook in. One morning it didn’t engage even with a idle(gas) I gave it i idled it to like 5k rpm and boom transmission roasted. Also have a Ford ranger had a code with a shift solenoid b replaced it and the tran fluid filter and it started to do what my ford expo did before. Thought replacing the shifter will help with the bucking I had but it still does it not as hard as before. Now I’m trying to figure out why my ranger is doing that now. I’ve checked everything other then inside the tran

Sometimes the shift lever bolts come loose in the steering column and it's not going into gear, ford trucks are notorious for that especially when the truck has some age

Tighten the 2 bolts with thread locker, they are Allen key style bolts

my 98 4X4 4.0 XLT is the EXACT same way once she warms up for a couple minutes - zoom, no problems