2000 Ford Explorer appears to select all gears but remains only runs in Reverse

[mckeemar]

Good Day to All - I'm happy to have found you and this valuable resource. I hope someone in this forum can help me.

My Wife's 2002 Ford Explorer SUV (4x4 auto)(4x4 high)(4x4 low) began experiencing shifting problems after a local "Transmission Shop" did a a Filter and Fluid Change at the request of our friend and mechanic who was providing 100K Preventive Services per the Ford owners Manual.

The shifting cable was apparently damaged at this shop and shifting became increasingly difficult. Our friend and ASE Certified Mechanic investigated the shifting cable, and then - not surprisingly, said that neither he or the Transmission shop did anything wrong - **** Just Happens was his explanation. RIGHT!

So - today (approximately 2 months late), the car started normally and still, starts normally (both in Park and Neutral).

My wife drove to the bank - No strange noises or shifting problems BUT; when she restarted the car - she and I (Brake Pedal Depressed) were unable to shift into any position. After much cursing, cycling the engine RPMs and Engine On/Off, I was able to get the car into Reverse ... but only Reverse ... I maneuvered the car into an out-of-the-way corner of the parking lot to continue troubleshooting.

The car will Shift and stay and Start in "Park".
The car will Shift into Reverse and display "Backup Lights".
The car will Shift into Neutral and Start however the car moves in Reverse.
The car will Shift and apparently engage in the 1, 2, 3 positions but the car still moves in Reverse.

Our Mechanic Friend plugged in his Computer and indicated that the Computer and PCM (Power Control Module) appear the be operating OK. He indicated that the problem may lie in the Transmissions Valve Assembly (Open/Close).

I don't have the means to check the Transmission Fluid levels but I haven't detected any leaks or puddles.

So ... either way, I'm feeling like "I've Been Rode Hard and Put Away Wet".

My best price quote is $2,740 for a complete "Rebuild (18-Month Warranty).

I'm feel as though I'm being Totally Hosed and Abused. I know that they have to R&R the Transmission to work on it but ,,, could this whole issue be something as simple and inexpensive as replacing a Gasket or Adding Transmission Fluid???

I'm pretty much out of options but I'd sure appreciate hearing your thoughts on this. Thank you.

 

[Kiliona]

Gasket and tranny fluid? probably not but checking the fluid level would help.

As he first said the trans shift linkage being misaligned? yes you almost perfectly described what would happen if the shift linkage on the transmission were either loose, misaligned, or bent.

This is something that could take a decent mechanic 5 mins to fix (unscrewing one nut, rotating the assembly to realign, putting the nut back on) or if it's bent still be an under an hour long job but include the part (may as well get it in a junkyard, this part shouldn't exactly wear out and you'd be fine using cheap used parts)

While not certain, im not there cant diagnose it, you almost perfectly described a trans shift linkage issue (and it sounds like your mechanic friend mentioned this may be the issue as well?) which makes me wonder why he would even bother hooking the computer up to it at all without just taking a 30 second visual inspection to check for this most likely culprit.

quick google image search found this picture
http://image.8-lug.com/f/28163950/1003_8l_20_+transmission_swap_ford_f350+factory_shift_linkage.jpg

not your truck, but if you were interested in seeing what im going on about.... you can see the metal rod that passes through a bracket (plastic housing to hold it on) and is then connected to an electronic switch looking device. The electronic switch tells your cpu what gear you're in and physically puts it there inside the transmission. If that rod were bent, it wouldn't select gears properly. If where it connects to the switch is connected incorrectly it'd also cause issues.

If I were you I'd get your mechanic friend to look at THIS component, disconnect it, place the switch in park and the stick on your steering wheel in park (or wherever it is) and then reconnect it. hopefully your solution is this simple