After being in park, I back up, and then the car will not shift into drive to go forward

2005 MERCURY MONTEREY
160,000 MILES • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ERIN BANE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
This problem does not matter if I have been on a hill parked, or on a flat surface, it will just every once in awhile not shift into gear to go forward, after I have backed up. It feels like there is nothing that will catch when I am shifting. I can shift it a few times and it will then act normal, or I might shift it for an hour before it will catch again.

I have tried turning the car on and off, step on the brake, not step on the brake, turn the wheel, not turn the wheel, and cussed a lot. Nothing seems to work. It just goes back to normal when it is good and ready.
Jul 29, 2018 at 5:50 PM
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STRAILER
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,840 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
It sounds like the fluid level could be low lets start by checking it. Here is a guide and diagrams to help you look toward the bottom of the guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Please run down this guide and report back.

Cheers, Ken
Jul 31, 2018 at 1:04 PM
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