automatic transmission stays in first

[tylerc]

after a minor accident the other day my explorers transmission got stuck in first gear. Even in park and neutral it still goes forward. It wont reverse either.
What could be the reason for this. It is a 93 explorer sport

 

[Gadget X]

Sounds like your shifter has been knocked loose. Have someone move the shifter with the key on engine off, brake on, and see if the shift lever on the transmission is moving. Just be very careful! Good luck!

 

[tylerc]

Thanks for the advice. unfortunately though the shifter does move but the explorer is still stuck in forward gear in both neutral and reverse. The only way it will roll backwards is in neutral while the car is off. Could it be something vacuum or electrical related?

 

[natenkiki2004]

By shifter, do you mean the actual manual shift arm on the side of the transmission or are you talking about the steering wheel shifter? Just being clear.

If everything is moving properly, my guess would have to be the z-link has fallen off. It connects the shift lever to the valve body in the transmission. I've read a report or two of this happening. You'll have to drop the pan and take a look.

 

[tylerc]

The shifter on the side of the transmission moves in accordance with the shifter on the steering column. When i took a look at the z link it was connected as well. I decided to take off the valve body and see if it needed to be repaired but it was fine. Then i replaced the neutral safety switch and vacuum modulator and still nothing. It is still stuck in gear when you turn it on on and will only go into neutral while it is off.