2001 Ford Windstar no gears

JASONGUAY

MEMBER
2001 FORD WINDSTAR
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

Hello 2 guys;

I have a question that I think I know the answer too but need verification before going ahead.
My wife was driving the kiddies to see American Idol live on stage when she lost all gears on the highway. No R, D, 1, 2. No codes, no tranny leak but on one occassion I felt the end tugging a bit, but not a slip. The tranny fluid is fine no fragments, smell, or odd color. This is the second tranny.

Question #1- My friend said it could be a tranmission range sensor, and I disagreed as I think that would send our a code. I do get ABS flash with a ! In a triangle, once in a while but it goes away, but no codes.

Question #2- Could it be a broken pump on the driveshaft and if so I was told that I could access it by removing a tire?

Or is it the Tranny, if so I will provide the local kids metal bats and tell them to go to town on my van as it will be going to car hell, not heaven like my Mazda 323 that gave me 400000k with little to no problems.

Thanks in advance and I will pay for this question.

Jason

2 Replies

SCHRIMPIEMAN

MECHANIC
166 POSTS

I cannot verify for sure, but like you stated, if the transmission range sensor went bad, you'd still have a semi-functional tranny. Put the gearshift lever in Reverse and check for the white back-up lights at the rear of the car. If they're illuminated, you can rule out the range sensor.

ABS and ! Flash. I cannot comment.

Transmission oil pump is well within the transmission. Not accessible just by removing the tire. . Remove tire and the most you'll see is the automobile frame. Tranny is nicely nestled behind the frame.

As for your kids, make sure they have safety glasses and leather gloves for protection. Post a video of their destruction on U-Tube.