Speedo Gear Is Missing...Inside The Tranny!!! (pics)

[chrisconsin]

Decided it was time to change the tranny fluid in the escort, as I don't think it has ever been done before. After I drain the fluid I went to disconect the speed sensor.
Unpluged the harness, removed pin, took out speedo cable, took off that one bolt that holds the U shaped holder. Turned the sensor a 1/4 and tryed to pull it out but it wouldn't come off. Took about an hour of cussing and it finally came off. I noticed those plastic gears weren't there and thought it was weird, I tryed sticking my finger in the hole but didn't feel anything.
When I hooked everything back up and took it for a spin, my speedometer wasnt working, thinking that sucks I TRY to shift in to 2nd but it wouldn't let me. after messing with the shifter for a while I noticed that some gears worked sometimes and some didn't (usually 1st and 3rd didn't).

So i'm putting it together that some how the speedo gear broke off in to the tranny in my shift fork.


My question is has anyone had this happen? Do I have to drop the tranny and open it up to get the gear out, if so I have access to a lift, but have never dropped a tranny (and don't know anything about a escort transmission) is it more complicated than "opening" the transmission taking out the speedo gear, seal it back up and add fluid???




How deep in s**t am I?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANY HELP!

'93 Escort LX Wagon

[Davescort97]

Yeah. The speedo gear dropped into the tranny. You've got to pull it and remove the outer case to get to it. All of the mounts except for one are on the transmission. Sooo..the engine has to be supported from above to pull the tranny. It's a long shot but you might be able to get down in there with a magnetic pickup tool or 3 pronged pickup tool. It's worth a shot.