98 windstar weird transmission problem??

[darvan]

I had same problem and it was fixed by changing the Transmission Range Sensor or Neutral Switch witch is same thing takes about 15min to do it 8mm and 13mm wrench very simple job. I had same estimate from transmission shop 3000$ Cad to fix it 20.000km/6months warranty just for 15min job and 39$ sensor. So suggestion is to change sensor and see if that helps, good luck

[Andrey1166]

I had this problem a couple of years back and found somewhere on-line that the best way to check the shift issues was to unplug the NSS (I think you had to do it with the engine running) and drive up the road manually shifting - this shows that the switch is at fault if you can shift into second. I may have the details slightly off there as it was a couple of years ago now but that was my problem at the time - stuck in first. I changed the NSS and all was well again - a big saving over the feared transmission job! I used an after-market NSS, not a Ford one, and now I have the issue of occasional non-starting in Park so I'm wondering if it has gone bad. Recently it was giving a 'hesitation' or 'stutter' under load as if considering a down-change but not quite doing it - you had to accelerate to get it drop down a gear. I recently bought a parts van that had a recent NSS change so I'll probably try swapping it over. BUT I did read with interest what 'FordTracMan' said about the NSS being connected to the lift-gate in some way. We've recently had to pull the bulb out of the interior light as the van thinks a door is open (dash light shows this) and is leaving light on. I haven't figured out which door is causing it yet but the side slider is disconnected due to same problem a few years back, so it's not that one. Is it possible/likely that the van thinks rear door is open and won't start? But then shifting into Neutral wouldn't help, surely? So far it has always started in Neutral.
Like a number of you on here I do like the Windstar, despite it's dubious image, and it serves us well as a comfortable cruiser (can't do without drivers armrest now!) and load hauler. Like any vehicle - you have to maintain them if you want them to be reliable!
Probably a bit of a rambling first post...
Cheers.

[Herman Who Who]

I have the same problem, not shifting. I had the transmission serviced and the problem went away after a few hiccups. Went on a trip to check it out and had to return home, not getting above 2nd gear. A 270 mile trip with the engine at 4K rpm and a speed of 55 in a 75 mile an hour zone is stressful to say the least. Looks like the neutral safety switch may be 'just what the doctor ordered.' I'll try it tomorrow.

Concerning the door open indication, light on problem: The side door has a switch that is operated by a 'finger poke' as the door is 'completely closed.' The 'finger' should push up on a switch and say that the door is safely, completely closed. My inside the door switch is defective. There is a repair video that shows replacing that switch by removing the sliding door. Too much for me. There are 4 spring loaded contacts on the leading edge of the door. When the switch is working and the door is closed the upper and lower contacts complete a circuit and all is well. I did not replace the switch, I placed a wire across these two contacts and always make sure that the door is completely closed. This may be called 'cheating a safety' but it works. Take the risk if you desire, or get that switch replaced, your choice.