2000 Windstar slipping shift lever

[stiavnican]

Hello forum. I have a 2000 3.8 that had no shifting problems when driven home yesterday. Started it up today, let it warm up a few minutes and then tried to shift into R to back out of my driveway, but shift lever just slips through all positions with almost no resistance anywhere in range.

Reading around it sounds like it may be the Transmission Range Sensor, including possibility that the fuse to this TRS is blown, though almost all sources I could find that led in this direction involving sticking in Park, not slipping through all positions like my problem.

Anyone know what this is?

Also, I my owner's manual has good fusebox and power distribution box schematics and nowhere does it mention a TRS or neutral safety switch (my understanding is that these are the same thing). I assume the TRS is just subsumed under some other fuse term, eg 'Powertrain Control Module Relay' or 'AX4S Transaxle' but I don't know how many resets I'll have to do if I just start pulling fuses and looking at them.

Anyone know which fuse does the TRS, or how I can find out?

Thanks in advance.

[Airjer_]

Sounds like you should stop and take a look at the shift cable first. Make sure it is still attached to the linkage on the transmission and better yet make sure it is moving the linkage at the transmission. If its not moving you could replace all the electrical parts you want and never fix the problem.

The range sensor is just under the linkage that the cable attaches to on the transmission. If you look straight down under the master cylinder you'll see it.

[bdahl385]

This video may help you understand where the TRS is located and how to tackle the replacement if necessary.

I agree that it seems like a cable / mechanical disconnect at this time though. There shouldn't be easy free play in moving the gear selector lever. The sliding of the shift lever should transfer this movement through a cable to the TRS switch which electrically changes the internal switch arrangement within the device to tell the PCM and transmission what to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3inAO9gORh0

[northern piper]

before I would get under the hood I'd be looking at the attachment plate for the shift selector. It's under the dash. There is a plate which attaches to the shifter; it has 2 torq screws on it (maybe t25?) anyway, if it disconnects your shifter will "shift" but since it's disconnected from the shift cable nothing will happen. Get under the dash and check this out.

P

[stiavnican]

Thanks guys.

Airjer, it was indeed the cable connection.

Northern piper, it turned out to have come loose at the tranny end, but I was glad I took your advice and followed it out from the under the dash first, both to ensure that the dash end was OK and to make a lot more sense of where and how the cable penetrates the firewall, making it easier to find and fix the tranny end.

BDahl, thanks for the video link; it was invaluable for a mechanic-lite like me in terms of getting at the linkage. I can't believe how professional some of the videos and photo montages on the web are for stuff like this. A lot of people donating a lot of time. Like this site.

Thanks again all; with your help it was easy to fix, even for me.

[bdahl385]

You're very welcome and congrats on your DIY repair... It is nice to see you post back what you found and that the outcome was favorable.

You'll get invaluable info just by reading up on the Winnie here at AF, it is really a great site and many experienced posters to help out...

[northern piper]

glad it worked out for you. As Red Green says, "we're all in this together!"

p

[wiswind]

I LOVE cheap and easy repairs.
This post may help a few more folks in the future.

[MrCreosote]

I just fixed mine today. 2000 w/150k miles. The bracket on the column selector under the dash was loose. Took TORX male to tighten. Fairly easy if you get your head past the main structural member on the bottom of the days. You can see clearly what you are working on.

I love the internet. You get all the failure modes without having to be a lifetime auto mechanic.

Thanks for this thread.
Tom

[eddy75]

Hey Guys!

I have the same van as the OP with simular problems.

Van starts up just fine. I'm able to shift it in D,R,1 & 2 but the van won't move.

From what I have gathered so far, the shift lever is connected to a cable thats connected to the neutral safety switch and then the transmission.

My question is if I'm NOT able to start the car when its in D or R, would it be safe to assume that the NSS and shift cable are ok ??

Thanks, Ed

[northern piper]

I don't think it's safe to assume much with a windstar in all honesty. I'd check to make sure that the trans side as well as beneath the dash is properly connected. The TRS may be shot as parts of it can break due to corrosion etc and stop the van from starting vs continuing to allow the selector to go through the gears.

A little more checking/info would be beneficial.

[eddy75]

Thanks for the feedback.

Everything underneath the dash looks good and same on the trans side. Cables are secured, move freely and are smooth.

I had the neutral switch replaced about 2 years ago and it seems to be working ok. Van will only fire up when in P or N.

Is there anything else that I can check myself without getting into the trans?

[northern piper]

have you watched to see what the action is when someone shifts from P all the way through the gears to confirm that the shaft which the TRS is connected to is in fact moving as it should? You may need to remove the air filter to see this happen.