Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting No first, second, fifth or reverse...help!

Just got my car back from Ford. Had strut springs, strut bearings, tie rod, e-brake cable, brakes & rotars and hub bearings replaced. Ford said the clutch might be slipping. I knew it wasn't so I said maybe the clutch needed bled and I did that yesterday and it was running very good. Now today, I was out driving, get off the free way, start to take off again and my car is acting like it is in 3rd and stalls while in first. So I got it over to a parking lot. I only have 3rd and 4th. The shifter is way sloppy so I am assuming a cable or something. Tranny was running fine so I am ruling that out and the clutch wasn't slipping and still isn't except for me making it slip to get it rolling into 3rd. Shifting to fourth is fine. No reverse. So again, I think something is wrong with the shifter and the cables or something. Needless to say I am frustrated since I just got my car back. Do you think Ford did something to it? I guess it's going back and I hope they don't charge me. No warranty but I know it was working fine before. 66K miles. Damn this car is expensive. I guess I just like it way too much or I would be in one bitter place. This is my work car and I owe a lot of money on it.

Anyway, insights?

holycowpaul@yahoo.com

I had the exact same problem about three days before you posted message.I limped to the Ford dealer and dropped it off. They called me a couple hours later and told me (as I'm sure they told you by now)that the shifter cable came loose. They fixed it and all was right in the world, until about three days later (this past Sunday to be exact and the car has been sitting since)... I had just passed a pick up truck pulling a trailer, not beating on the car just nice easy pass. I went to go from 2nd to 5th and all I got was 3rd. I just don't get it. Like you I also love my car and this is driving me bat ****!! I called the dealer this morning and I am going to take the car in tomorrow morning. I told the service writer that I want to hang out and see what the tech does so I can know just what the problem is and fix it for good. Other than that I have had a minimal amount of problems and mine is a 98-1/2 SVT with 42,6xx miles.

I am curious to know what the dealer told you.

Good luck!
burnsie
98-1/2 SVT Still stock until I'm otta warranty!
burnsgang@yahoo.com

????????

I was going fast enough (about 40 to 45mph) that it did not make sense to go into 3rd or 4th gear so I was going straight in to 5th.

Paul,

I took my car in this morning and the dealer told me they are replacing the shifter cables. They also told me Ford is paying for it. Hopefully the problem will be fixed for good!!!

Hi,

I sent you an email. It ended up being both shifter cables as on the trans end. One was broke, the other was frayed. Ford shared the costs. Runs good now--Different--has the new car shifter feel. Not used to it. It seems tight. All in all good.

I've read somewhere here that skipping gears like that really wears on the synchros. I think it was Terry who said that.

I try not to skip gears like that but it is an old habit I picked from my Mustangs. The T5 in my Mustangs never had a problem with it and they pulled double duty on the street and road racing here at Waterford and Gingerman etc.. I guess some habits die hard (hopefully not with a big repair cost). I had never heard that it wears on the syncro's but I certainly wouldn't rule it out.

Hopefully I will get my car back today and it will be fixed for good!!!

Skipping gears on shifts does make the syncros work harder , if you can double-de-clutch on down shifts it helps.Worse wear/damage is skipping on downshifts ,say 5th to 3rd at around 60...!!!!