93 Mercury Tracer
Starts and runs well, has shifting problems with the automatic transmission. Reverse and low gears seem to work ok, but I haven't gotten it to shift into drive.
My car has an automatic transmission.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. In older automatic transmissions, a common problem that causes issues like you’ve described is when inner seals begin to fail. If this is the case, you’ll have to have the transmission rebuilt (which might be a better idea to buy a newer car if this is needed). Another problem that might be the source of your hard to shift issue is simply the quality of the transmission fluid. If it has not been flushed recently, it may be time to flush the transmission fluid and replace the filter. I would start by having transmission fluid service completed as it is affordable and might be the solution to help your Mercury shift correctly.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Transmission won`t engage or stay in gear
If when you put your vehicle into gear and it won`t move, this may be a problem with low transmission fluid due to a leak, the shifter, shifter cable, or it could even be a problem in the valve body of your automatic transmission.
The number one cause is the clutch components have worn out and no longer have enough friction material to overcome the weight of the vehicle. A second possibility is the transmission can be stuck in two gears at the same time and it won`t move. The shift mechanism can malfunction and keep you from selecting a gear.
Transmission Issues
Transmission is most likely to be the culprit for the car wont move in drive but will in reverse issue. When the vehicle does not function in one or more gears, you should check the gear shifter. The gear cable could be stretched further than the normal length and will need adjustment.
A few common causes are low or dirty transmission fluid, or faulty shift solenoids. The transmission uses fluid pressure to shift the gears, and does so using electronic solenoids. If there is an issue with either of these the vehicle may experience problems shifting or transferring power to the wheels.
Your Transmission is in “Limp Mode”
If your computer has problems receiving signals it will go into what is referred to as “limp mode.” Limp mode is a safety feature that will keep your car stuck in either 2nd or 3rd gear if the computer can`t get accurate readings from the solenoids.
Your vehicle could have dirty fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, a blocked catalytic converter, a faulty mass airflow sensor, broken spark plugs, or even an accumulation of moisture.
Press the Clutch Pedal Down More
If you have a manual transmission, try to press the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor before trying to change gears. As the friction disc down, you have to press the pedal further and further down to move it away from the flywheel.
If you drive a manual transmission, try pumping the clutch a few times. If this doesn`t work, you can switch off the engine, then shift into first and neutral. From there, try going into reverse. If it works with the engine turned off, the clutch is the source.
Problems Reversing – One common problem that can happen with a clogged filter is difficulty moving in reverse. The lack of fluid flowing through the transmission can cause the reverse gear to lock. This may prevent the car from going in reverse altogether, or it may cause it to hesitate before launching into reverse.
Overheating can also lead to a lack of hydraulic pressure in your transmission, which could cause your transmission to slip and struggle when it tries to engage and change from one gear to the next. This causes parts and friction material to wear out rapidly.
With a low level of transmission fluid comes low levels of pressure. This can mean that your transmission is slow to engage when you shift gears. If you find that your transmission takes a second to engage into drive or reverse, it`s time to check your transmission fluid level.
Turn off your vehicle`s ignition and wait patiently for 5 to 10 seconds. Start the engine and allow it to idle for several seconds. Switch off the ignition and wait patiently for another 30 to 40 seconds. Repeat these steps 2 to 3 times in order to reset your vehicle`s transmission control module.
Rusting, power failure, irregular pressure, missing equipment, an incorrect amount of voltage or current, dirt stuck in the system and corrosion are some of the possible reasons why a solenoid valve may not properly close or open.
If your car has an automatic transmission, the shift solenoid will shift the gears for you. The transmission control unit will take the information from the engine and speed sensors along with other parts of your vehicle to then decide when to shift gears for power and fuel efficiency.
A faulty starter solenoid can exhibit several symptoms, including these: Engine doesn`t crank: This is a result of the starter solenoid failing to deliver power to the starter motor. No clicking sound: This can mean either a bad starter solenoid, starter relay, or a dead battery.
Culprits include a dirty fuel filter, clogged fuel tank strainer, clogged or failing fuel injectors, or a defective fuel pump. On most vehicles replacing the fuel filter is a DIY operation.
It is normal for the engine rpm to go up to about 1200 to 1400 rpm when first started and then comes down gradually. This is for emissions during cold start and considered normal.
Why does my car not accelerate when I push the gas? A car not accelerating properly can be caused by a number of things. It could be due to the throttle body, gas tank, spark plugs, or the ECU. It could also be because you have a dirty air filter or a clogged fuel filter.
But a blown fuse No. 38 becomes a likely candidate causing a loss of power to the transmission solenoids.
Bad Transmission Control Module Symptoms
Slow Acceleration: It takes longer than normal for your vehicle to pick up speed. Gear Slippage: Your transmission switches gears without warning or without you shifting. Inability to Shift: You can`t shift out of neutral.
Drivers with a manual transmission will feel some resistance when you try to shift. Not being able to shift is a direct result of having low transmission fluid. Slipping Gears – On the flipside, slipping out of gear is another side effect of having low transmission fluid.
It is not too often that you see a no-reverse concern caused by a bad solenoid or by a valve-body problem that does not affect any forward upshifts. Generally you`ll see this only on valve bodies that have a reverse-inhibit function, such as the 5L40 or JF506.
But if the solenoid malfunctions mechanically, no reverse or delayed and slipping reverse may occur.
Grinding noises, transmission leaks, burning smells, noisy idling, and shifting delays are all common symptoms of a clogged filter.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
93 Mercury Tracer – starts and runs well. Reverse and low gears seem to work ok, but I haven’t gotten it to shift into drive.
ANSWER : Hi there. In older automatic transmissions, a common problem that causes issues like you’ve described is when inner seals begin to fail. If this is the case, you’ll have to have the transmission rebuilt (which might be a better idea to buy a newer car if this is needed). Another problem that might be the source of your hard to shift issue is simply the quality of the transmission fluid. If it has not been flushed recently, it may be time to flush the transmission fluid and replace the filter. I would start by having transmission fluid service completed as it is affordable and might be the solution to help your Mercury shift correctly.
Read Full Q/A … : 93 Mercury Tracer
My pacifica runs and drives only reverse when i shift it to drive dies quickly . But you can shift it to reverse and neutral
ANSWER : This is an internal problem with the transmission and may be a valve body or leaking internal seal. The problem is the transmission leaking pressure internally, and when you put it in drive, the transmission is trying to go into reverse and drive at the same time causing the transmission to stall the engine. Have a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, scan the computer to see if a code is received that will help detect the cause. They will be able to diagnose your stalling issue, and any other problem you are having, so that a proper repair can be made.
Read Full Q/A … : 93 Mercury Tracer
The car doesn’t shift into first gear while it works fine in reverse
ANSWER : The problem could be that the internal transmission pump is weak, or the transmission clutch seals are leaking. It sounds like the transmission will need an overhaul.
I recommend having a transmission mechanic test the pressures and diagnose the problems to verify whether you need an overhaul with a new torque convertor.
Read Full Q/A … : 93 Mercury Tracer
Wont start (Click), shift gear from P to R then back to P Starts it, after runs for a while it starts up fine.
ANSWER : Your vehicle has something called a neutral safety switch that will prevent the vehicle from starting when it is in any gear position other than park or neutral. Occasionally, this switch can malfunction causing the car to stall as soon as you put it into any gear. This switch usually also monitors gear selection data as well to transmit back to the computer. This switch is connected to the starter solenoid which allows it to complete the starter circuit only when the transmission is in park or neutral. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
Read Full Q/A … : 93 Mercury Tracer
neon manual 5 speed drives great but will not shift into 4th gear while driving. All other gears work fine 4th works when off
ANSWER : Hi there. Most of the time when a manual transmission is hard to shift into an individual gear, it’s caused by the linkage being ’twisted’ or not aligned correctly. However, it is also possible that internal damage has occurred inside your transmission that is causing this problem. In most cases, a clutch issue would cause shifting issues on all gears. Before you spend money on repairs, it’s probably a better idea to have a professional mechanic complete a car is hard to shift inspection, so they can isolate the source of this problem and provide you with the correct repair advice.
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Shifting issues from drive to reverse and back to drive
ANSWER : Mercedes has a dealer service order (#Order No: S-B-27.19/118A
) that addresses diagnosis, and possible dealer repair of the transmission for your model. Check with your dealer to confirm coverage of this.
) that addresses diagnosis, and possible dealer repair of the transmission for your model. Check with your dealer to confirm coverage of this.
Read Full Q/A … : 93 Mercury Tracer
Won’t shift past 2nd gear . It drives normal to 2nd gear but wont shift into 3r – 2000 Ford F150 4×4
ANSWER : Hello – I don’t think this is related to switching back to 2WD per se. There is a shift position sensor on the side of the transmission, and it’s possible that the snow activity caused moisture and/or dirt to get into the sensor. I would recommend a transmission inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
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All my gears work but drive and 3rd gear
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle is likely experiencing issues with the transmission. The first step to take is having the vehicle scanned for diagnostic codes, and use them to help point you in the right direction. If you have an issue with a sensor or a solenoid, it will likely show in the form of a diagnostic code. Without any codes, you will want to make manually inspect the bottom of the transmission by removing the pan. Also check the fluid for signs of internal damage (dark fluid or metal shavings). You may then need to manually test the solenoid and sensors. For more help with diagnostics and resolving the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
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