Was the level low? To properly check the level, get the truck on level ground, apply the e-brake, put it in drive and check it, level should be checked while the transmission is trying to work.

Check for codes, as the PCM may be holding you out, but if the transmission isn't pumping fluid, a quick fix might be something as simple as draining the fluid, dropping the pan and changing the filter and refilling with fresh oil.

 

Transmissions are never checked in drive. Read the dip stick. Says check hot in neutral.
Not park but neutral. You don't say where you got your fluid but if you just happen to have 3 qts with you you know it leaks. 3 qts low id' say your transmission is roasted. It
only takes 1 1/2 qts to fill the pan. Did your swap go OK ? Rangers don't come with a 5 lt.
If it is a 5 lt its a 305 from a mustang. A 302 is a 4.9. Not the same engine.

 

Transmissions are never checked in drive.

Sorry 'bout that... taught that way when I was a kid and never thought to see otherwise.

 

In order to properly check transmission fluid, vehicle needs to be on level ground. Start the vehicle & proceed shifting through every gear holding for 5 sec. Keep in mind the tranny fluid will need to be at max temp before checking. At the temp the fluid will no longer expand. Vehicle will need to be in"P" OR "PARK". THIS WILL GIVE YOU THE MOST ACCURATE READ.

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My mistake. Dodge's are checked in neutral. That runs the front pump. fords are checked in
park. sorry about that. hickoxc90 is right.

 

There are that many different checking variations from car to car nowadays it's hard to keep track . Most of the earlier European cars were checked in the drive position and occasionally a mechanic or two would have a fill your pants moment by forgetting that and revving engine .

 

Did your swap go OK ? Rangers don't come with a 5 lt.
If it is a 5 lt its a 305 from a mustang. A 302 is a 4.9. Not the same engine.

What are you talking about Chip? He's referring to a 2000 Ford Explorer, 4WD with a 5.0L 302ci. A Ford Ranger was never mentioned.

 

And another **** up on my part. Explorer. Sorry about that. but a 5 lt. is NOT a 302. He has a 4.9. 302. get it right. If i look up 5 lt 302 for parts many part don't fit. the 5 lt. is in the mustang. its a 305. Different engine. Ford finally made the call and will list a car or truck with a 4.9 engine. That is a 302. Chevy has a 305. 5lt. in their vans and wagons. Very common engine. Not the best but better than the 307. There are 61 cubic inches to a lt. X 5 . do the math. 60.4 cubic inches is. well do the math. No offense. just doing math. keep on keeping on.

 

In the year 2000, Ford considered the 302 V-8 in a Ford Expedition a 5.0L. The owners manual even states its a 5.0L 302ci. I guess Ford's the ones who need to get it right.

Technically, a 4.9 liter engine is a 299ci, but we can round it up to a 302. NOW, call a parts store and ask for a part for a 2000 Ford Explorer with the 4.9L.

Keep on Trucking

 

we learn something new everyday. That is a good thing. I'm over 60 and still learning.
I'll soon learn what it's like to die but i'll never get to pass that on. You'll have to figure
that out for yourself.

 

Right about now, I'd just like to figure out my cable remote (gave up on figuring out the wife a long time ago).

 

If you put in three quarts with the vehicle parked and running, it either needs more fluid as you may have a trans seal leak. My Taurus had a seal leak a few years ago and was a few hundred bucks to replace (mostly labour). Depending on how low the leak is, you might need to add another 3 quarts just to get a reading on the trans dipstick. Most transmissions can hold upwards of 15 quarts. I think my Taurus is 11 quarts, and for a service only 7 quarts are changed although my seal leak required me to put in nearly 5 quarts to get the level up. From the bottom of the trans dipstick to the 'normal' range is roughly one quart on most automatics.

Another problem could be that your TV cable is broken; the cable that attaches the shifter to the side of the transmission in order to change gears. If you can go from Park to neutral, then the cable should be working fine and I would suggest trying to check your trans fluid level as mentioned.