Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Tranmission problem!! BIG

My brothers Contour SVT is messed up... and he doesnt know what happened. He woke up a few days ago and got in his car, but he could only shift into 1 and 3. Everything is like moved and you cant wiggle the stick back and forth in neurtal. There is like no 2nd, 4th, or 5th. Now... he was driving over to the dealer, and it doenst go into anything anymore. He had it towed. Anyone have an idea what it could be? I just curious, I'm sure the dealership can figure it out. Did i just say that. yea right. They will probably tell him his car is working just fine. Thanks

Sounds like another typical blown svt transmision......I think I'm gonna pray extra hard tonight that mine is a good one and will never go....... :rolleyes: (sorry ...i didn't really give any advice...)

Happend to mine but i only had 3rd and 4th. it was stuck then i slammed the stick and i could move it around but still only had 3rd and 4th. Imagine driving in KC with only third. kinda embaressing. any how it was something wrong with the tranny linkage betweent he shifter and the tranny.
just thought i would let you know

Sounds like what happened to all the SVT's that had this problem

Either both the cables or shifter have disconneced...maybe...or the shifter tower selector bolt has sheared....most common......sticks in gear...only one or two gear...then none....

I would comment but I'm only a computer guy

Just fooling with some of the participants here, no harm or insults intended.

I do hope you get it fixed and your experience with your dealer or repair shop is favorable.

TB
Doesn't pay for guesses.

Thanks, now I can sound smart when I go tell my brother what I think is wrong.. and the dealer says the same thing. So.. this happens often? I hope mine doesn't go. I got 41k miles on mine and runs great. Sure wish I had time to put my new BAT struts on.

Best advice I can give is:-*NEVER force the shift lever...if its very hard to move ...stop and try it stationary.*If you have an early(pre 2000 trans)with the alloy shifter 'tower' have the tower removed and the 'pinch' bolt in the vertical shift rod replaced...if this goes 1)you will loose all gears/be stuck in one gear 2)The head of the bolt can and does ,get jammed between the crown wheel and the gear case and punches a hole thru the trans...then its toast! *You can 'retrofit' the latest 2000+ trans shifter tower(around $300) will also need the new rev lamp switch,a jumper to hook it up to existing harness,the plastic cover and breather tube,shorter retaing bolts..this is THE best way to improve the shift and safeguard your trans ...apart from a Quaife aswell....happy wrenching!!!

hopefully it is just the shift linkage, its a cheap plastic $6.00 part, but your better off paying $60 for a whole SVT shift linkage kit to replace all of them if it is the problem.

I think you are just talking about the shift lever,thats not exactly the 'whole shift linkage'..!!!!