Hard Shift from 1st to 2nd

[zzyzzx2]

Originally Posted by TheDeal526

So the "Service Engine Soon" light finally came on. The people at Aamco pulled a code for the Park Reverse Neutral Drive switch. I forget the exact code number, I will find out tomorrow when I go back to Aamco. But the guy at Aamco says all the symptoms fit, and replacing that switch should make my tranny shift fine. Does anyone have any experience with this switch and the problems it can cause???????? THANKS.

Didn't you read my thread with the AAMCO horror stories?

[denisond3]

I would not take it back to that AAmco. There are lots of service facilities that can replace a "neutral safety switch", and with even poor luck, I think they would do a better job for you than that AAmco. Isnt this AAMCO same place that originally thought the transmission needed to come out? Now that they can get a code with their code scanner they think its the neutral safety switch? It sounds like they are guessing.
I really dont think a faulty neutral safety switch would have ANYTHING to do with you initial problem - of a hard shift from 1st to 2nd. Maybe the 3rd gen Escorts are very different - but on the 2nd gen Escorts that switch does three things. It turns on the reverse lights when you put the tranny in reverse.... it connects two wires together when you are in Park or Neutral so the starter will function, and it lets the PCM know when you are in gear or out of gear - for idle control when the car is motionless. I think thats all it does.
It is possible the tranny will have to come out, but in your shoes I think I would keep driving it until it gets worse (or better).
Dave Escort mentioned 3 things:
"The throttle valve control cable is out of adjustment, or the 1-2 accumulator piston is sticking or damaged or the idle speed is too high." All three of these could be your problem, and all three can be examined with the transmission in the car.
Though checking the 1-2 accumulator piston is the most difficult of the 3 items, if the plastic accumulator lid will not come out. Still it would probably come out if the circlip was removed, the engine was started, the tranny put into gear, and with the front wheels off the ground you give it some gas. Might blow ATF all over the place.

And while Im not necessarily one to use a string of complaints as a reason to avoid a business - - - I would find a non-franchise business that has to depend on customer referrals & repeat business, NOT a franchise operation that depends on saturation advertising on t.v. This eliminates Aamco & Sears Auto Centers as far as I am concerned.