I have a 2005 Mazda tribute and while driving the transmission shifts from drive to 1st, then 2nd, then drive and it will do this off and on the entire time I am driving. The fluid looks clean.

Hi Marsha, I found a similar problem and a specific solution for someone with another Mazda 2002 Tribute, perhaps this solution will fix your problem as well. There's a plastic link that connects the shift lever cable to the lever that sticks out of the transmission and actually shifts the transmission. That link, $85.00, was broken. Take it to your mechanics place and have it replaced; it will certainly be less than replacing the transmission. If you're handy at all you can probably do it yourself.

U have a serious transmission issue and need repairs.

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It sounds as though the shift cable might be going bad. I has the same issues on my 2003 Mazda Tribute and eventually it will break. It is a fairly simple fix if you have any mechanical skills. I believe the cable was around $175.00 bucks. The cable isn't what really goes bad it is the pin that is attached to the cable where it bolts to the transmission but it is a one piece unit. There have been people that repair the pin part only and there are a few youtube videos showing how to do that. If you find where the cable attaches on the shift lever on the transmission you can shift the gears by hand if you have someone in the vehicle putting the brakes on. you should be able to go through all the gears and this will let you know for sure the cable pin is going bad.

Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid is suspect, also is the Shift Control Solenoid (they are twin cylinder assembly looking like the old blinker solenoids) attached to the transmission, and with 2 wire pigtail. Check for a short~continuity between heater fan hot wire and the Shift Control System pigtail wires. Thank You for using FixYa.com Let us know if you still have a problem!

find a tranny man,
any ASE shop works
ask em.' to CHeck it out.

bad sign that, get it checked, do not allow it to slip.
or it can get worse fast.

You have lost the 1st, 2nd, etc. in DRIVE? If you put the car in SECOND does it move forward a little bit? Put the car in Manual 2nd, can you shift into DRIVE and feel the third gear? This happened to me. The 'forward clutch' needs replacing. The transmission clutch plates in that part are glazed over because the fluid is burned. See if your fluid is brown.

check the transmission fluid could be low, or try shifting to overdrive manually

Have you tried taking the car in for maintenance? Usually on most (older) auto transmissions there is a hose coming off of the exhaust manifold or carburetor area that provides the pressure for the transmission fluid. If that hose doesn't have a good seal, your shifting may be difficult and the transmission may not stay in the gear you want it to.