1999 trans problems

My mom has a 1999 ford taurus LX 3.0 with only about 70,000 miles on it. The other day she called saying it was broke down. The car went in all the gears just wouldn't go anywhere. Anyone else had this issue? Or know for sure if its the trans or the converter? I was told if it went in all the gears its more than likely a converter. Checked the fluid level and its good (never been changed tho). My dads got it in the shop now and theyre having trouble even finding a trans for it. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I trust they confirmed that the fluid level was correct before condemning the transmission. If not, make sure they check it.

-Rod

i checked it when i picked her up it was good. But is it true that the trans wouldn't go into all the gears if it was bad? Hes about to carry it to another shop to let them check it out because this guy has no idea what hes doing. If i still had all my tools and we could find a good used trans id put it in for her but i just dont have the time or the tools anymore to do that kind of work.

I'm not sure that it's true it wouldn't go into all the gears if it was bad. I'm not even sure what you mean by that. Since the car doesn't move, how do you know it's going in to all the gears? Also, have you checked the linkage to make sure the linkage is connected to the transmission still and moves with the gear selector?

-Rod

Yes, more info would be helpful on that "goes in all gears". Are you putting it in drive, pressing the gas pedal, the engine going up in rpm's to shift points and dropping to indicate it is shifting but the car isn't moving? If that is happening, is park working or reverse? If no park/reverse or movement in drive but it seems to be shifting to higher gears, then I would guess a snapped CV joint.

Something else it could be. I have a 98 SE that the shift cable broke in the casing. It felt like it would shift when I moved the handle, but when I had someone do the shifting I checked the connection at the transmission, and nothing was happening. I had to replace the cable. In fact, the way I got it home was to have some stay on the break while I manually shifted the transmission into drive and we were able to drive it home. Trans was fine. I did the same to put it back in park. Bought a new cable, and no more problems.