2003 Ford Taurus Logo
Anonymous Posted on Dec 05, 2009

Transmission wont shift, Transmission does not respond to shifter

While making a right hand turn, my 2003 ford Taurus went into neutral. Shifter was still in drive. It was unresponsive after that. P,R,N,OD,D,1 doesnt matter it stays in neutral. I have had this car since it was 2 years old this is the only time its ever left me on the side of road. PLEASE HELP!

  • Anonymous Dec 06, 2009

    First thing I did was check the fluid. It seems to be mechanical, however my transmission works great. I think it has something to do with the shifting mechanism?

  • Anonymous Jun 28, 2012

    ended up being complete transmission failure. Exact same thing also happened to my wifes 2003 Ford Windstar. Over 3k$ to fix DONT BUY FORD!

×

1 Answer

Anonymous

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Governor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 20 times.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

  • Expert 61 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 06, 2009
Anonymous
Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Governor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 20 times.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Joined: Nov 16, 2009
Answers
61
Questions
0
Helped
24637
Points
186

Hello, hope I can help you. First off, you need to check the fluid level. Start the car, idling in park, and remove the transmission dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and remove again, and check the level. If it is low, add some to correct the level. Once you have the level corrected, see if you have engagement. If so, hopefully you're all set, if not, at this point, you have some type of internal failure, and will most likely be looking at an overhaul, or replacing the transmission.

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

2001 Ford ex xplorer sport trac. Transmission is in drive even when in park, reverse, neutral or drive

Is it a floor shift or column? The simplest explanation would be that the lever from the shifter is not connected to the transmission. If it is shifted with a cable from the shifter going to the transmission make sure the cable is still attached to the transmission and shifter.You need to get under the vehicle and have someone operate the shifter while you inspect it and make sure it is moving the lever on the transmission. It is apparent the transmission is stuck in drive mode and the lever or cable changing modes is not connected either at the shifter or transmission.
0helpful
1answer

1988 Ford Ranger. What do You do if you forgot to put the transmission in neutral before you pull the inner shifter out and the shifter wont work now. It will go back in but won't shift.

Remove the shifter again. And align the shift forks so they are all strait in line in the center and make a rectangle .Depending on what gear you left it in, only one fork will be out of center. Move it back like the other two and your in neutral, then reinstall the shifter.
1helpful
1answer

Have a 2003 Dodge Intrepid. I can't get the shifter on the column to move out of park even when I move the steering wheel up,down & side to side. Is it the cable, the link, what?

The shifter needs to be inspected. The shifter assembly is got misaligned, it has to be open and realign.


There are many other possibilities. But if it was working right up till now and suddenly this occurred then its shifter assembly alignment issue.


Also i suggest you to refer these gear shift issues, which are mostly noticed. These are direct links with appropriate solutions to the specific problems of gear ****.




GEAR SHIFT ISSUES


Gear indicator Shows "3" Instead Of "D"?

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/gear-indicator-shows-3-instead-of-d.html

---------

2006 Chrysler 300c: Shifter Stuck in Park?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-chrysler-300c-shifter-stuck-in.html

----------

1998 Ford Expedition: Will not Shift Out of Park?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-ford-expedition-will-not-shift-out.html

---------

Car will not move when in gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html

-----------

Mercedes-Benz transmission sticks in first gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html

----------

Mercedes Benz not engaging in first gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html

----------

Chrysler PT Cruiser only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----------

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html

-------

2007 Ford Expedition: How to shift car in neutral with Dead Battery

http://www.howtorepairguide.com/2012/11/2007-ford-expedition-how-to-shift-car.html

--------

2002 Nissan sentra will not go out of park mode?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html

--------

Nissan Sentra stuck in park?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html

---------

Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----------

Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html

----------

Car won't downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html

--------

Buick Park Avenue: Transmission will Not shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html

------------

No First gear Starts In Second Gear

http://www.howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-first-gear-starts-in-second-gear.html

-------

Ford Taurus won't shift from park?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html

---------

2006 Ford F150: Will Not Shift out Of Park?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-ford-f150-will-not-shift-out-of.html

--------

Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html

----------

1998 Chrysler Voyager: Transmission Problem?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-chrysler-voyager-transmission.html

------

Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html

--------

Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html

--------

Chevrolet silverado has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html

----------

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71: Gear shift Issue?

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-z71-gear-shift.html

----------

Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html

--------

Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html

---------

Transmission-Hard To Down Shift

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/07/transmission-hard-to-down-shift.html

---------

Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html

------------

2000 Nissan maxima shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html

-------

Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe: Will not Shift out of Park Mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html


These details will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

Toyota Tercel stuck in gear

Its a gear shift issue.


The shifter needs to be inspected. The shifter assembly is got misaligned, it has to be open and realign.


There are many other possibilities. But if it was working right up till now and suddenly this occurred then its shifter assembly alignment issue.


Also i suggest you to refer these gear shift issues, which are mostly noticed. These are direct links with appropriate solutions to the specific problems of gear ****.




GEAR SHIFT ISSUES


Gear indicator Shows "3" Instead Of "D"?

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/gear-indicator-shows-3-instead-of-d.html

---------

2006 Chrysler 300c: Shifter Stuck in Park?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-chrysler-300c-shifter-stuck-in.html

----------

1998 Ford Expedition: Will not Shift Out of Park?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-ford-expedition-will-not-shift-out.html

---------

Car will not move when in gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html

-----------

Mercedes-Benz transmission sticks in first gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html

----------

Mercedes Benz not engaging in first gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html

----------

Chrysler PT Cruiser only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----------

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html

-------

2007 Ford Expedition: How to shift car in neutral with Dead Battery

http://www.howtorepairguide.com/2012/11/2007-ford-expedition-how-to-shift-car.html

--------

2002 Nissan sentra will not go out of park mode?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html

--------

Nissan Sentra stuck in park?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html

---------

Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----------

Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html

----------

Car won't downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html

--------

Buick Park Avenue: Transmission will Not shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html

------------

No First gear Starts In Second Gear

http://www.howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-first-gear-starts-in-second-gear.html

-------

Ford Taurus won't shift from park?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html

---------

2006 Ford F150: Will Not Shift out Of Park?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-ford-f150-will-not-shift-out-of.html

--------

Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html

----------

1998 Chrysler Voyager: Transmission Problem?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-chrysler-voyager-transmission.html

------

Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html

--------

Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html

--------

Chevrolet silverado has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html

----------

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71: Gear shift Issue?

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-z71-gear-shift.html

----------

Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html

--------

Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html

---------

Transmission-Hard To Down Shift

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/07/transmission-hard-to-down-shift.html

---------

Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html

------------

2000 Nissan maxima shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html

-------

Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe: Will not Shift out of Park Mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html


These details will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
2answers

My 2008 Chevy impala will not come out of park

The
shifter needs to be inspected. Its quite possible that The
shifter assembly is got misaligned, it has to be open and realign.








There
are many other possibilities. But if it was working right up till now and
suddenly this shifting problem occurred then its shifter
assembly alignment issue.




Also
i suggest you to refer these gear shift issues, which are mostly noticed. These
are direct links with appropriate solutions to
the specific problems of gear shift


















GEAR SHIFT ISSUES








Gear
indicator Shows "3" Instead Of "D"?


http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/gear-indicator-shows-3-instead-of-d.html

---------

2006 Chrysler 300c: Shifter Stuck in Park?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-chrysler-300c-shifter-stuck-in.html

----------

1998 Ford Expedition: Will not Shift Out of
Park?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-ford-expedition-will-not-shift-out.html

---------

Car will not move when in gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html

-----------

Mercedes-Benz transmission sticks in first gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html

----------

Mercedes Benz not engaging in first gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html

----------

Chrysler PT Cruiser only goes in First gear?


http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html







----------



Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?



http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


-------

2007 Ford Expedition: How to shift car in neutral with Dead Battery

http://www.howtorepairguide.com/2012/11/2007-ford-expedition-how-to-shift-car.html

--------

2002 Nissan sentra will not go out of park mode?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html

--------

Nissan Sentra stuck in park?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html

---------

Car will not come out of Park?


http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html


-----------

Automatic transmission will not go into high
gear?



http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html



----------


Car won\'t downshift sometimes?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html


--------

Buick Park Avenue: Transmission will
Not shift into drive?



http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html


------------

No
First gear Starts In Second Gear


http://www.howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-first-gear-starts-in-second-gear.html

-------

Ford Taurus won\'t shift from park?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html

---------

2006 Ford F150: Will Not Shift out Of Park?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-ford-f150-will-not-shift-out-of.html

--------

Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html


----------

1998 Chrysler Voyager: Transmission Problem?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-chrysler-voyager-transmission.html

------

Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key
is turned ON?



http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html


--------

Third gear missing and engine losing power?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html


--------

Chevrolet silverado has whining sound in gear?


http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html


----------

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71: Gear shift
Issue?


http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-z71-gear-shift.html

----------

Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?


http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html


--------

Car hard shift at slow speeds?


http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html


---------

Transmission-Hard To Down Shift

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/07/transmission-hard-to-down-shift.html

---------

Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold
mornings?



http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html


------------

2000 Nissan maxima shifts hard?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html



-------


Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while
driving?



http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html



-------


2007 Hyundai Santa Fe: Will not Shift out of
Park Mode?





http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html







These details will help.



Thanks.
0helpful
1answer

1999 ford taurus.....wont go into any gear..is it the transmission?

if the shifter wont move with brake pedal pushed ck , shift interlock,brake pedal switch,and key interlock. if the shifter moves and trans does nothing ck cable underhood at trans for operation if working yes you have trans problem . ck fluid to see level or if burnt fluid will smell real bad if low trans wont work right.and a trans can fail with out setting any engine or trans codes.so ck engine light wont come on. there is some times a release by the shifter a small cover you pull off and stick a key or small screw driver in slot and shifter will move.
2helpful
1answer

My car wont shift out of park but the shifter still moves. the car starts fine and all of the lights work it just wont shift. please help!

Sounds like the cable broke at the transmission..While someone moves the shifter look under the hood where the transmission is and see if the linkage moves
2helpful
2answers

92 ford taurus wont shift into park or d2. have to put in neutral to start. shifter is real sloppy when shifting into any gear or neutral

You may have two problems here.
Neutral safety switch (for starting problems)
Shifter cable is the other.
1helpful
1answer

Transmission will not shift out of park. I pushed brake and the shifter will not move from park with the button on side of shifter pushed in.

CHECK FUSE TO BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH - NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH AND BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID.IF BRAKE LIGHTS WORKS.YOUR PROBLEM COULD BE THE BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID OR BAD NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH.MAKE SURE NEUTRAL SWITCH FUSE IS GOOD.
Not finding what you are looking for?

271 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Ford Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

xxxxxx xxx

Level 3 Expert

5117 Answers

Are you a Ford Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...