97 escort problems!

[pintojoe]

Hi I have a 97 escort 2.0, it starts fine and idols great but when I put it
in gear it moves like a snail, I changed the plugs and wires, the timing belt and the coil pack but it still does the same thing, I even tried disconnecting the exaust but still the same (but louder!!) does anybody
have any ideas, its getting very frustraiting

[GTP Dad]

Does the engine rev and the car moves just slightly or does the engine run normally and you can't get up to speed? If the engine revs and you don't move then the tranny is shot. Probably the clutches are gone. If the engine runs normally but you can't build up speed then the torque converter is probably bad. Make sure the fluid level is correct in the transmission as that can cause similar problems.

[Jet-Lee]

How does the engine run when in gear? You say that it doesn't make speed, but don't indicate what the engine is doing or sounds like. This might help a little better.

[pintojoe]

The engine runs normally but I cant build up speed, I checked the
tranny fluid and its all bubbly, it does shift hard sometimes from 1st to 2nd, should I change fluid and filter? is there some kind of air or vacuum line going to it?

[Davescort97]

Originally Posted by pintojoe

The engine runs normally but I cant build up speed, I checked the
tranny fluid and its all bubbly, it does shift hard sometimes from 1st to 2nd, should I change fluid and filter? is there some kind of air or vacuum line going to it?

Sounds like it is low of fluid or the filter is clogged so go ahead and change those. The older automatics had vacuum controlled solenoids but yours has an electric solenoid to shift so its not a bad vacuum line or anything like that. I don't know dude. Maybe you need a new tranny.
If the fluid is all bubbly its getting air into it which makes me think the torque converter isn't getting enough fluid. Check the fluid level with it warmed up and in park. Leave the engine running and dip it and see what you got.

[Jet-Lee]

I know it's two completely diff vehicles, but my Bronco was doing the exact same thing. Flushed and replaced the filter and all was good.

[pintojoe]

I changed the fluid and filter and still the same, it must mean the torque
coverter is shot (sounds like this is going to cost me!!!)