2000 Ford Escort Transmission going out?

DAWN_T

MEMBER
2000 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
136,000 MILES

My escort is not shifting correctly and hasnt since mid Jan of this year. When I am driving the car to get the car to shift into 2nd gear I have to take my foot off the peddle and push down again. On the freeway I dont think the car is shifting into 5th gear. And if I am slowing down not excelerating the car will downshift by itself. I took it to a mechanic and they said that it is my shift cylinode. My question is 1st if I replace this part will this give me my 5th gear back and my other question is if my car started acting up in January and it IS the transmission. Wouldnt it have completley quit driving? I need help Im a single female and I just dont want to be taken for a ride by a mechanic.

1 Reply

DSPLC

MECHANIC
220 POSTS

This is only a suggestion before changing the shift solenoids which is expensve.
Change your transmission fluid (I prefer the Valvoline Merc/Dex fluid- red bottle) Mix with one bottle of transmission fluid additive that frees sticky valves. Do not overfill. It takes around two weeks driving before you feel any changes.

Sometimes, this transmission fluid additives helps a lot especially on sticky/stuck shift solenoids.

I don't think there is a fifth gear. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and overdrive. I might be wrong.