I have a 1999 ford contour with the transmission stuck in over drive. It jerks real bad and acts like it can't move. The mechanic says the overdrive is stuck. How do you fix it and how to fix it

https://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/mazda-protege-23/car-jerking-33730/
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/402105/while+driving+it+jerks+and+acts+like+it+being+rob+fuel

https://carfromjapan.com/article/car-maintenance/car-jerks-when-accelerating/

I had a 2000 gmc which jerked bad and I thought was transmission problem. I found it was bad map sensor. If you have check engine light find out what the codes indicate. These days electrical controls mechanical much of the time.

A failing transmission or an engine misfire.

If engine revs go high and no forward movement you most likely need a new transmission

You need the transmission control and engine control module scanned for fault codes

This is called the "Transmission Range Sensor", or sometimes the "Neutral Safety Switch." It is located on top of the transmission, between the engine and the battery. If it is defective, it can cause a number of problems, including erratic down-shifting out of, and then back in to, overdrive.

If you decide to change this switch, follow this procedure. Set the parking brake and block the wheels to prevent the car from moving. Turn the ignition switch to "On" (don't start the engine), then put the shifter in neutral. Turn the ignition off, then disconnect and remove the battery. Remove the rubber boot between the air intake box and the throttle body. Disconnect the wiring harness from the switch, remove the two 8mm bolts that hold it in, then pull the switch straight up and out. Take note of how it engages the shaft inside the transmission.

Put the new switch in, leaving the bolts loose. (Make sure the two lines on the switch line up with each other. This sets it to the neutral position.) Tighten the bolts, and put everything else back together. Hopefully, this will fix your problem.

your transmission is stuck in overdrive and should be taken to a mechanic to have the transmission checked, Ford had a problem with the foward clutch piston cracking. When it cracks you start to feel slippage in low or reverse. you need to have it checked before this getts worse. The flashing light usually means the system went to high pressure. and does so just to get you home. sorry for the bad news, but i dont want to see you get stuck somewere and need a tow coasting you more money. my advice is drive it one last time to a local mechanic or dealer.. i hope this helps you

I would service the transmission before assuming anything is wrong or broke have it flushed and have a new filter and fluid put in.. Then go from there.

Your vehicle jerking may be as simple as a dirty air filter that needs to be replaced. But a more serious problem would be a fuel pump defect, or the fuel injection system.
Now you didn't mention if you were driving a manual or automatic. So in the case of your car shifting, if its a manual it could be a misaligned transmission or something is loose in the clutch housing. But if your vehicle is an automatic you should check the transmission fluid (you do this while the car is running).

It is probably "searching" for overdrive. If you are doing in town driving only leave the selector in drive. It should stop searching for overdrive. Once you get to a place that you will exceed 45 put it into od and it will probably shift normally.

Transmission range sensor and neutral safety switch are the same thing (when you go to buy the part). It's at the top of your transmission. You'll see the shifting cable connected to it. Here are the instructions for adjustment:
Shift Control Linkage
The transmission shift linkage adjustments must be performed in the order in which they appear.

Column Shift

Place transaxle range selector lever in (D) (OVERDRIVE) position or D (DRIVE) position on vehicles equipped with a transmission control switch (TCS). A weight of 1.4 kg (3 lb) should be hung on the transaxle range selector lever to ensure the lever is located firmly on the (D) (OVERDRIVE) or D (DRIVE) position on vehicles equipped with a transmission control switch (TCS) detent.

Loosen manual control lever-to-control cable retaining nut.

Move transaxle manual control lever to OVERDRIVE position or D (DRIVE) position on vehicles equipped with a transmission control switch (TCS), second detent from most rearward position.

Tighten retaining nut to 17-23 Nm (13-17 lb-ft). Check operation of transaxle in each transmission range position. Make sure that park mechanism and transmission range (TR) sensor are functioning properly.

Floor Shift

Position transaxle range selector lever in DRIVE position against rearward stop. The floor transaxle range selector lever must be held in the rearward position using a constant force of 1.4 kg (3 lb) while linkage is being adjusted.

Loosen manual control lever-to-control cable retaining nut.

Move transaxle manual control lever to DRIVE position, second detent from most rearward position.

Tighten retaining nut to 17-23 Nm (13-17 lb-ft).

Check operation of transaxle in each transmission range position. Make sure that park mechanism and transmission range (TR) sensor are functioning properly.


To take it off, it's a couple of retaining bolts and a wiring harness.