Transmission will not shift into first gear

Tiny
JOHN8089
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 177,000 MILES
My car will not grab first gear from a complete stop or on a hill. It tries with no luck, but when it gets rolling it grabs a gear at about ten mph and after that it does fine and reverse is the same way. What is causing this and what can I do to make it right? A lot of people have told me it needs a new transmission or rebuild but if that was the case would it not grab any gears at all? Please help me figure this out.
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018 AT 11:54 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning.

No, you can have a specific failure in the transmission where one gear will not work but the others will.
It sounds like valve body from your description. Is the check engine light on?

When was the last time you changed the transmission oil/filter?

Roy
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Wednesday, April 4th, 2018 AT 6:27 AM
Tiny
JOHN8089
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have not changed anything on the car I have only had it a few days. When I bought the car it had a small problem doing what it is doing, but it has gotten worse day by day. Now I have to push it off before it will start rolling. How hard is it to change the value body and would I have to pull the transmission to do that? The check engine light is not on.
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Wednesday, April 4th, 2018 AT 6:31 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, if the engine light is not on, it is a mechanical issue not electronic.

If you have to push it off, then there is not assist in low gear at all.

Does reverse work okay?

Roy
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Wednesday, April 4th, 2018 AT 7:24 AM
Tiny
JOHN8089
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It seems to at times it grabs better than first gear but when I get it about like 1000 rpm it basically just rolls but no force if that makes sense.
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Wednesday, April 4th, 2018 AT 7:37 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, thanks. That is not valve body. That is an internal issue in the transmission.

I suggest getting a used unit and installing. A rebuilt or new will cost you thousands.

A used unit runs from $500.00 to $800.00 depending on your area. The labor is about eight hours if you have someone install it for you.

Roy
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Wednesday, April 4th, 2018 AT 7:47 AM

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