Transmission not shifting

[Skip202003]

I have a 99 Windstar, 180 k, 3.8L. The problem is the transmission will not shift into any gear, except park. Checked fluids, OK, check shift cable, still in one piece. Could it be the range sensor I have been reading about?

[danielsatur]

Could the VSS sensor be bad?
The Engine Control Unit, gets a throttle pos sensor signal, and your getting the RPM's,
but the Auto has no indication on how fast your are going to signal the AT to shift gear.

[Skip202003]

Thanks I'll check it out. I already removed the range sensor. Is there someway to checkout, or Ohm out the sensor, or the VSS sensor for that matter?

[wiswind]

If the gear select lever is stuck in PARK, the problem is the brake interlock inside the steering column is locking it there.
Common cause of this is the Brake ON / OFF Switch (BOO) which is mounted to the brake pedal shaft up under the dashboard.
One of the wires can break off, or the switch can be defective.
To shift out of Park, you MUST be pushing the brake pedal down while moving the gear select lever, the interlock will be locked if it does not sense the brake pedal being pushed.

If you are stuck someplace......you can turn the motor OFF......shift into Neutral, start the motor and then shift into Drive.
HOWEVER, if the problem is caused by the brake ON/OFF switch or wire to it, you will ALSO have NO brake lights on the back of the vehicle, which is very dangerous.
Once you shift into PARK with the motor running, you will not be able to shift back out of it without shutting the motor off.....shift into Neutral, start the motor and select your gear.
The repair of the brake ON/OFF switch wire or replacement of the switch is easy to do.

[Skip202003]

Thanks but, the problem is not the shift lever, it goes in and out of park fine but, does not engage any of the gear positions.

[joeuser742]

I just had my transmission replaced for the same problem, they told me that the spider gear broke.
Could also be a broken pump shaft or something broken in the valvebody.

[Off_Timing]

Is the van moving at all in ANY gear? Does it move when you put it in reverse?

[joeuser742]

I forgot to add that the lube tubes on the bottom of these transmissions can fall out, which would have the same result. Easy fix if this is your problem. You just need to drop the pan and look to see if the tubes have fallen down. They sell a bracket to fix this.

[serge_saati]

Check continuity between input of the switch and output when you're in R, D, 2, or 1. If you have no continuity, the problem is the switch. Not sure in 99, but in 98 input is blue/yel wire and output is gry/red wire. 2 colors for each wire. It's pin 2 and 3 in my car.

If you suspect a problem with one of other sensors of your transmission (VSS, turbine sensor...) disconnect MAF sensor to put in LIMP mode and see if it shift.

The most possible cause is a problem related to torque converter or its turbine shaft, like joeuser742 mentions it.

[joeuser742]

If you've got a couple of hours to spare, you can check that pump shaft by removing the valvebody, without removing the trans. Won't cost anyting, except for time.

[Skip202003]

removed the pan and filter the tubes are still in place but are loose. is that normal?

[joeuser742]

Originally Posted by Skip202003

removed the pan and filter the tubes are still in place but are loose. is that normal?

It's been a while since I checked mine. It probably shouldn't be loose. Sounds like there is no bracket on yours.

[dave6990]

Originally Posted by Skip202003

I have a 99 Windstar, 180 k, 3.8L. The problem is the transmission will not shift into any gear, except park. Checked fluids, OK, check shift cable, still in one piece. Could it be the range sensor I have been reading about?

So it looks like your concern is that the vehicle wont move,if it has no oil pressure you can check the fluid level after the van has been sitting for awhile and then start it and see if it has dropped down on the dipstick if it is still where it was before you started the concern is the pump is not working typical concern is the splines in the torque converter stripped,to make sure that you dont have oil pressure remove the pressure plug on the top of the trans there are two it is the one towards the back of the trans they are located just below the battery if it has cruise control it is located under the servo and is a little harder too get to,when removed start and see if you have oil coming out stand back dont look right down at the hole if it does have oil pressure it will come out with pressure,best if you use a gauge but dont have to. Good luck Dave

[Skip202003]

There is a bracket that spans across all the tubes. Is that the bracket being refered to or is there another one that I'm missing?