1999 transmission

I have a 1999 Ford Windstar. The check engine was on and I was taking it to the garage to be serviced. For a few weeks prior to this it would stall. Anyway, on the way to the garage it stalled and I could not get it going in drive. It only had reverse. The garage referred me to a transmission place. As of now the van is sitting in the same place because I cannot get it in drive. I have a few questions.

1. Since I still have reverse could this mean that it isn't something major with the transmission?

2. Is there a way to get this van into drive so I can get it to another garage w/out paying outragous towing fees I have been quoted?

Take a big hammer... just kidding.

Check your transmission fluid level, maybe it's something stupid like no fluid present. Otherwise, chances are you have a serious tranny issue. I can't think of any way to get it to reengage.

Some '99's and '00's had damage to the drive train harness where it was routed too close to the ac tubes on the firewall.

It's a long shot, but you should check... might be a easy cheap fix.

More than likely a broken weld for sun gear on either the intermediate or forward clutch drum. Seen and repaired lots of these at the dealer. I've replaced just the part and patched the trans together and I've also overhauled the entire trans while I was inside (depending on mileage and $$ the customer had available at the time). If this is really what is in fact the failed part there is nothing you can do to get the trans into any forward gear. Problem with weak weld on the drum from factory. Unfortunately to get to that drum you have do disassemble most of the trans i.e. overhaul time. Good luck and hope this helps.

More than likely a broken weld for sun gear on either the intermediate or forward clutch drum. Seen and repaired lots of these at the dealer. I've replaced just the part and patched the trans together and I've also overhauled the entire trans while I was inside (depending on mileage and $$ the customer had available at the time). If this is really what is in fact the failed part there is nothing you can do to get the trans into any forward gear. Problem with weak weld on the drum from factory. Unfortunately to get to that drum you have do disassemble most of the trans i.e. overhaul time. Good luck and hope this helps.

Dang I bet thats whats wrong with mine. Is the replacement part any better than the factory original or is this something that is going to happen again in another 30,000 miles?

When I was building trannies at the Ford Dealeship they said it was an updated part. I don't really remember checking the part numbers (old vs. new) but I didn't really care much other than I needed the part like yesterday and just installed it when it arrived on my bench. If the part failed again... no biggie just repair it again, and again and again and again and again if necessary. Crazy how Ford's concept is on certain things.

Forgot to mention above..... only OEM Ford parts could be used when building a tranny under warranty to make it valid and continue under warranty. I'm not sure whether the aftermarket has a bettery designed part or not..... If I had to guess they probably do by now, we just couldn't use aftermarket parts in the dealership even if they were bettery quality parts...... all about a warranty deal. Go figure.... you perform a repair using OEM parts only to have it fail again and again and again and again or you repair it once and save money by using a better part. I can understand both sides of the coin on that one. How would Ford be able to market those parts and who would they buy from....???? They would probably have to buy from everyone to make it "fair" ... that is another story for another post someday I'll fill you all in on.