Check Transaxle Light flashing?

2001 MERCURY SABLE
3.0L • AUTOMATIC
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CARLSP
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I replaced the front struts, inner and outer tie rod ends and ball joints. The car ran fine before I did the work. Now the car has the following symptoms;
Start the car and the engine revs up runs fine but the Check Transaxle Light is flashing (exclamation mark surrounded by a gear). The column shifter selection are: P, R, N, D in white circle, D, 1. Put the shifter in R and the car rolls backwards. Put the shifter in N and engine revs and runs fine. Put the shifter in D in white circle, D or 1 and the car does not move, regardless of how far you press the accelerator and the the engine is limited to ~ 800rpm.
I get the following results checking the wheel speed sensors. 1610 Ohms and ~45mV AC when turning the wheels by hand. I've checked for loose connectors and broken wires but found none.
I'm not sure what to check for next.
I do not have an OBD scanner.
Jul 25, 2026 at 11:34 PM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Them first thing I would do is check the transmission fluid level. Next, lets run the codes to see which ones are stored, this video should help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBCpCWEFnTg

Also, check the wiring connector at the neutral safety switch (gear range sensor) Let me know what you find.
Jul 26, 2026 at 12:43 AM
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CARLSP
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Thank you for responding. Fluid level is fine and I checked all the wiring and connectors for damage and loose connections, including the gear range sensor connector. As I stated in my question I do not have an OBD scanner to read the codes and I'm currently not in a position to get the car scanned by a repair shop or places like Autozone. Its possible I could of bumped/knocked the gear range sensor unknowingly and now it is out of alignment or worse, damaged. I do not know the procedure to check or realign the sensor or how to test it electrically
Jul 27, 2026 at 1:18 AM
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STRAILER
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The wheel speed sensos are for the ABS system so they should not affect the transmission. I would also check the input shaft speed sensor which could have been bumped when you were doing the work. Here is the location of the sensor and what the gear range sensor should look like as well. Check out the images (below). Please let me know what happens.
Jul 27, 2026 at 5:31 PM
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