1997 Ford Escort What's Wrong With My Car?

KERWINIUS

MEMBER
1997 FORD ESCORT

Transmission problem
1997 Ford Escort Automatic

I was using my roommate's car last weekend. When I came out of a stoplight the gas pedal went down, made a terrible noise, but I wasn't moving. The initial press of the pedal was enough to move me across the light and onto the side of the road. Also, on my speedometer it moved the needle up to 60 because when I realized I wasn't moving I pushed a little bit harder. I turned off the ignition and after that I was able to start the engine just fine in park, but when I switched to any gear but neutral I again got a terrible noise and no movement. When I popped the hood, I checked fluids and the transmission fluid and engine oil were basically empty (it's my roommate's car). After going to a circle K, I got the necessary fluids but they didn't really help. I don't know much about cars but I thought it might have something to do with the transmission. Any advice?

5 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Suspect an axle
check CV axles

place it in park and try to push if car move like its in neutral
chances you have a broken axle
good luck
make sure you have the E brake on prior to leaving the car
or secure the tires from rolling

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 AT 7:59 PM

KERWINIUS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

That makes perfect sense! When we pushed it over to the car place it was still making noise while we pushed it. And the car was still rolling even in park! Also that would make sense why I would still get the rpm and speedometer readings

Thanks a bunch!

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 AT 8:03 PM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Yes the RPM and speed still reads
because the sensors is at the end of the tranny and not at the tires
� the axle was spinning and the other was not
let me know the end result after the fix
and or if have any questions

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 AT 8:15 PM

KERWINIUS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Well, one question I would have would be about the cost of fixing it. The horrible noise it made when I attempted to put it into drive makes perfect sense now :( A broken axle sounds like an expensive thing to fix.

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 AT 8:18 PM

BMRFIXIT