Transmission Going bad or new spark plugs???

[erick0071]

My 94 Escort 1.9L is having some problems. Every now and then when I am at a stop sign or red light and I press the accelerator pedal to star moving it feels as if the transmission would not shift into gear or shift into neutral and then shift into gear roughly. It's like it thinks about it for a second and then it goes for it, but really rough shifting. I think it may have something to do with a bad tranny or linkage cable needs an adjustment or may be spark plugs have gone bad and they aren't firing at the correct time. Any suggestion on what to check and how to check if its a tranny problem...maybe some tips on how to adjust the cable to specs?

[Davescort97]

Check your (automatic?) transmission after you run it a while for the fluid level. Do this while it is running and in park. It sounds like the transmission isn't building up enough pressure to shift or it sounds like the pump in it is bad. Since it is a 94 it would be a good idea to change the fluid and filter if this hasn't alrelady been done. Use Ford Mercon transmission fluid for a firmer shift. The dipstick for the tranny is next to the brake fluid reservoir. If the fluid color is red you have found it. I don't think it is a spark plug problem unless the engine is running rough and if it is I would suggest new plugs and wires.