98 Windstar - 1st Time Transmission Trouble

Hi there,
This happens to be my first posting, and from reading all the other previous posts, I gather that I've been fairly lucky so far. I believe that all this is now coming to an end. Last week, on my way to work, I was stopped at a light and upon pulling away, all I got was the feeling of being in neutral (high whine no action). i pushed the car onto the shoulder, went through all the gear positions, and the transmission finally engaged into the desired positions (all). I put this down to just something electronic going awry, and proceeded onto work. A few days later, the same thing happened - again, the same solution and everything was OK. It seems as if it's almost like a sensor is malfunctioning (totally clueless). Has this happened to anyone else out there and what did you do to remedy it. Does this sound as if my transmission is failing? Please help.
Anxiously awaiting a response.
The Caymancan.

Have a transmission shop run a tranny scan(diagnostics). They'll be able to tell you if a sensor is busted or other probable cause. The reputable shops normally will run the scan service for free. Make your decisions from that point...

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll head over to my local Mr Transmission.
Hopefully he'll be an up-front guy who won't try to soak me.
Thanks once again.

The Caymancan.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll head over to my local Mr Transmission.
Hopefully he'll be an up-front guy who won't try to soak me.
Thanks once again.

The Caymancan.
just a word to the wise regarding mr trans - i took my truck there for a thumping noise, after the test drive service advisor determined the tranny had to be pulled ($400 re & re + whatever they find). i declined and after some research found that the slip yolk needed grease ($0). i'm going to find an honest independant shop because the writing seems to be on the wall with my 98 windstar

I guess some of these posts might scare the H out of a person if he/she doesn't stop to consider the number of posts here versus the number of vehicles on the road. Pretty minute number of vehicles represented here. I have both a Taurus ('94) and a Windstar ('99) and have no major problems with either. The Taurus has over 173,000 miles on it and the Windstar has around 50,000 miles. The Taurus sits out in the weather and goes to work with my wife five days a week almost without incident. Water pump was the biggest problem so far. Body is in excellent shape and the engine is still strong and raring to go. The Windstar has made several 800 mile trips from here in Wisconsin to Arkansas pulling a 5' x 9' loaded trailer and loaded van without incident. I pull regular maintenace and pull the trailer (while loaded) with the O/D disengaged. If you've ever been on U.S 65 betwen Springfield, MO and Harrison, AR you'll know it is no picnic for a tow vehicle. So I have to wonder about some of the care many of the vehicles here are getting and how they are driven. I'm sure some are just downright lemons but not sure about all of them. Many were purchased used I'd guess and the present owner has no idea of how they were treated before they got them. So I guess I'd take the rantings here with a grain of salt and try to get a look at the overall picture. Just my 2 cents worth.

None of 65 is a picnic for even an unladen vehicle. 40 MPH uphill, 90 down..... if you stay on the road.

I was curious if you ever got a diagnosis on the Transmission issue? My dad's Windstar does the same thing. He usually has to put it in Park, Turn the ignition off and back on then it goes just fine. It is really weird, but also dangerous because as you said it usually happens when he is stopped at an intersection and he doesn't have any warning until it starts rolling backwards. :eek7:

If you found anything out, I would appreciate hearing about it so I can get him fixed up. He is ready to junk it and buy something new. If it is fixable I would like to hear it.

Thanks,
AW