Tranny Sometimes Won't Shift! Please Help!

I've got a weird problem going on! The van will run/shift just fine and after a while sometimes wont shift past 2nd gear. No warning lights or anything. Fluid looks OK and is at proper level but may need changed (I've never done it and it's @ 100k). It's getting to be that we don't want to take it anywhere because it's a crap shoot if it's going to act up or not. Please help, I'm pretty handy with tools and am not afraid to tackle whatever may be needed. Thanks alot!!!

Poke around some threads below, or do a search, but this sounds like maybe a vehicle speed sensor or throttle position sensor. You definately want to atleast do a pan drop & filter change if you've never serviced the tranny.
G/luck
Joel

Not A Throttle Position Sensor (nothing To Do With Trans)

Do You Have A Kickdown Cable On Trans? (is It Set Properly?)

It dosen't appear to be a kickdown cable problem because it happens occasionally. My thinking kinda steers toward a sensor problem but a search resulted in little help. Thanks

Regarding Vehicle speed sensor: do you see any odd indications on your speedometer? A few people have indicated difficulties with shift points in concert with speedo problems, pointing to the VSS.

OK, replaced VSS (what a bee-otch!), drove it down the road and everything was up-downshifting normally. After about 8 miles it did it again, wouldn't shift past 2nd, Didn't matter if I shifted to neutral, reversre, park, etc. 1-2 shifting is fine just doesn't shift beyond that. I also removed gear indicator harness below intake tube and cleaned. Any other thoughts?

95 LX 3.8l 131k miles
I noticed the reference to the VSS and have a couple of questions.
My digital mph has been erratic and so has the shifting of the tranny. I swapped the transaxle range sensor from my 95 GL windstar and no change. Is there a way to aligh the sensro without the tool? If I have to remove the VSS, how do you get to the VSS and what are the steps? Is there another sensor?
oil and filter recently changed. oil color, smell and oil level normal.

hello
ive got a 98 windstar gl. and somtimes it wouldnt shift out of second gear took it to shop today and it was the t.r.s (transaxle range sensor)
the mechanic told that if had reset the computer the problem would still be there but wouldnt throw a code anymore..the trs also has to be adjusted it coast me $166.00 the part was only $51 at dealer but it was worth it i think
hope this helps

hey. i had that exact same problem before on my 96. the damn thing wouldnt shift higherthan 2nd gear after a while. brought it to a garage, turns out it was some dealie called "neutral safety switch" that was defective. they changed that to the cost of 150$CND, and that cured it right up :)

hope it works!

The TRS, Neutral Safety switch, and DTR are all the same part by a different name.

I would start there, your symptoms are common for a bad DTR sensor.

Also, if the ATF has not been changed to date, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT change it now. To do so will certainly kill it.