99 Taurus dies

I'm in need for some advice. I have a 99 Ford Taurus that my wife recently ran completely out of gas. Fortunately at the gas station as she was pulling in. However, once she was able to fill the tank, she had problems with it stalling or staying started when putting the car in Drive or Reverse. We have taken it to a couple of shops and they have told us the transmission is the problem. This is quite concerning to me as the transmission was replaced in 2004 and we have only 24,000 miles on the new transmission. Secondly, the car drives fine once it is on the highway, we have problems when we come to a stop and when we try to go. Once the car gets going its fine. Has anyone had this problem? I can't believe that its the transmission. Could the fuel filter cause this to happen? Could the fuel pump be bad? I have it at a Ford dealership now, and they are set on the transmission as being the problem. Maybe a bad sensor? I've also was told by someone it could be a linkage problem, not sure what that meant. Any ideas?

Does it feel like a standard shift when it is trying to die? Sort of lunging and jerking, or does it just die out? If it lunges, it could be the torque converter locking up. If it just dies smoothly, look at the idle speed control motor. If the fuel filter has not been changed, that would also be a good place to start. Let us know if any more assistance is needed.

Does it feel like a standard shift when it is trying to die? Sort of lunging and jerking, or does it just die out? If it lunges, it could be the torque converter locking up. If it just dies smoothly, look at the idle speed control motor. If the fuel filter has not been changed, that would also be a good place to start. Let us know if any more assistance is needed.

Thanks for the reply. It feels like a standard shift i guess. Once it is placed in drive or reverse, it dies. I heard from the dealership today, and they are confirming metal shaving in the transfer case of the transmission. I guess it is a transmission issue, unfortunately. But it is covered under warranty which is great news, i don't think i would have paid $3600 to have the tranny replaced.

I'm still having a hard time wrapping my brain around this, i would have thought it was a fuel filter or pump issue. I guess the tranny malfunctioned at the same time, or my wife abused it more than I think. I should be able to pick it up Thursday, I'll update the post with more detail once i know.

what if some crud from the bottom of the tank got in the mix and this is causing the problem?

Maybe use one of those fuel injector cleaning bottles?