Shuts off when transmission is shifted into gear?

DANIELLE2018

MEMBER
2005 FORD ESCAPE
2.3L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
211,000 MILES

When I crank the engine when the transmission is in park, it will crank but it will jerk then shut off. It does the same in drive and reverse but if I crank it in neutral it will idle just fine, but when I put it in drive I have to hurry and give it gas and it will drive just fine. If I have to come to a stop, I have to put it in neutral for it to stay running. But when I have to go again, I have to put it in drive then give it gas quickly or it will shut off.

11 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,949 POSTS

So, this can be one of two problems, either the torque converter has fallen apart internally or the TCC solenoid needs to be replaced. We should run the codes to see what comes up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

To replace the torque converter the transmission will need to be removed. Here is how to change out the TCC solenoid. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens. If there are no codes, chances are the transmission will need to be removed and rebuilt.

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Monday, July 31st, 2023 AT 12:29 PM

BRENDON S

MECHANIC
653 POSTS

Hello DANIELLE2018,

Sounds like it might be the torque converter locked up.

I actually found a Technical Service Bulletin or TSB on this exact issue from Ford. I have added screenshots of it for you.

You will need a scan tool capable of monitoring the speed of the input shaft on the transmission according to Ford.

I have added a lot of extra information for you as well.

Also here is a link with some other helpful information:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

Thank you,
Brendon

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Monday, July 31st, 2023 AT 12:33 PM

DANIELLE2018

MEMBER
9 POSTS

I want to start by thanking both of ya'll for your answers and ways to fix. I really do appreciate it. I don't know if this will make a difference, but I was wrong about one thing it doesn't jerk and go dead in park. Only in drive and reverse. Also, I haven't heard any noise prior or now. It just jerks and goes dead when in drive and reverse unless you give it some gas real quick and then it's fine. With this information is ya'lls answers the same? Sorry I'm just wanting to get this fixed because my 3-year-old has to travel for medical. Thank you both again.

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Saturday, August 5th, 2023 AT 10:51 AM

BRENDON S

MECHANIC
653 POSTS

Hello DANIELLE2018,

Thank you very much for the kind words, it means a lot to all of us.

There is a few more things we can test for if you would like to at least eliminate them as possibilities.

Let's see what we can get some more information.

Any work done on the vehicle since the problem began? Any other issues you have noticed, even if you don't think they are related?

We can see if it might be a vacuum leak. It is possible you have a bad gasket or hose. Possibly bad Brake Booster.

How do the brakes feel, any changes in braking ability? Do you have to push harder to stop? Is the brake pedal harder to push?

Any hissing sounds when running or turned off? The best way to do this is to open the hood and listen while it runs and have an assistant switch it off. It will be easiest to hear when the engine is first switched off.

Here is a good article on Vacuum in general, just for some extra information for you:
https://enginebasics.com/Engine%20Basics%20Root%20Folder/Vacuum%20Basics.html

Let me know what you find, and we can go from there.

Thank you,
Brendon

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Saturday, August 5th, 2023 AT 1:29 PM

DANIELLE2018

MEMBER
9 POSTS

No work has been done since this occurred. The only other issues I can think of at the moment is when I crank the vehicle when I go to take it out of park I have to mash the keyhole beside the gear shifter in order for it to come out of park. It's been doing that for a little while and sometimes I don't have to mash the keyhole for it to come out of park. It's really 50/50 with it. Before this issue I'm having with the escape the only things that have been really done to the escape is the serpentine belt and I ordered an A/C compressor and when it was put in it blew 2 fuses under the hood which was the A/C clutch fuse and the HVAC fuse. The serpentine belt was changed like a month before the issue I'm having and the ac compressor like a week before the issue I'm having. I will go outside and do what you said about listening under the hood to see if I hear something and I will get back to you. Again, thank you so much.

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Sunday, August 6th, 2023 AT 10:59 AM

DANIELLE2018

MEMBER
9 POSTS

Oh, and the brakes feel the same. No issues other than when I mash them to come to a stop, I believe they kind of whistle some and I think that's because I'm due for new ones? I'd rather have your opinion though.

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Sunday, August 6th, 2023 AT 11:00 AM

DANIELLE2018

MEMBER
9 POSTS

I got my daughter to crank it while I listened, and I didn't hear anything but I'm no mechanic. So, I'm going to try to upload the video, and could you tell me what you think please. Sorry and thank you.

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Sunday, August 6th, 2023 AT 2:04 PM

BRENDON S

MECHANIC
653 POSTS

Hello DANIELLE2018,

I didn't hear anything when it was running but thought I heard a hiss or whistle right after it was switched off at about 40 seconds into the video.

That could be a vacuum leak.

Try this test on rubber hoses, intake, throttle body, brake booster and any other places motioned in this article. It also includes a video.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Now since we don't have a loud whistle as seen in the video, what is going to happen is you are going to spray one area at a time and see if the engine increases speed. It will sound like someone touched the gas a little. This is because this spray is flammable if there is an intake leak it will get sucked into the engine adding fuel and increasing the engine speed or RPM a little.

Try it out and see what you find. Since you described having to mash the brakes, I would try around the brake booster first.

It may take a sec or 2 for the engine to respond to the extra fuel so spray a little then wait.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Brendon

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Sunday, August 6th, 2023 AT 5:44 PM

DANIELLE2018

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9 POSTS

Thank you. I will let you know.

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Sunday, August 6th, 2023 AT 5:52 PM

DANIELLE2018

MEMBER
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I haven't been able to get the escape worked on yet, but I had to crank it to jump off my other vehicle and I revved it just a little bit then I noticed fluid under the truck and all my transmission fluid leaked out. Why? Just in case this helps the transmission fluid looked good, wasn't burnt or nothing. Thanks in advance.

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Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 AT 2:17 AM

BRENDON S

MECHANIC
653 POSTS

Hello DANIELLE2018,

Sounds like the torque converter is leaking, probably from the seals. Especially because of the amount that it sounds like leaked out.

This could be an issue with the torque converter itself or premature failure due to another issue like the TCC solenoid as Ken mentioned above.

The torque converter will need to be replaced so the transmission will need to be removed. But the transmission will need to be tested to make sure it doesn't have any internal damage that could put you in the same situation down the road.

Can you see where it is leaking from? I have added an image for you. This may not be your exact set-up, but the area will be the same. The roundish area is called the bellhousing and inside of this is where the torque converter is located. If it is leaking, it will be soaked at the bottom of this roundish area, the bellhousing or very close to it.

Thank you,
Brendon

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