Thread: Shifting Problems

So a week ago I went to leave for work. Started my car, put it in reverse, and nothing; kinda like it was stuck in park. In trying some of the other gears I noticed that I was able to move the gear shift back and forth without having to push the button nor press the brake. Kind of in a fit of panic, I turned the car off and started it back up, just to see what would happen, and it wouldn't start (it would turn over, but it wouldn't catch.) Also, it reeked of gas outside the car, so I assumed I'd flooded it. Thing is, and forgive me for being a little car-dumb here, but I don't see how the trany not going into gear properly has anything to do with the engine starting. In any case, I called my stepdad (a former mechanic,) and asked him about it. He was stumped too, so he told me to just wait an hour and try it again. I did so and everything worked perfectly, and has been until yesterday morning.

When I tried to leave for work yesterday morning I again experienced pretty much the same issue with the gear shift and it being stuck in park. The engine is starting perfectly fine this time though, and I've now noticed when I put it in any gear and give it a little gas there's this kind of rumbling sound and feeling. I tried several times throughout the day to get it going to no avail (although at one point it did move about two feet.)

Also, if this helps any, I've been experiencing pretty much the same issue covered in this thread for about a year now: http://www.grandprixforums.net/jerk-...ght-72980.html

Kind of sounds to me like the trany's just getting ready to bit the dust, but I thought I'd come here and ask you guys about it before scrambling to come with the funds to replace it. Any help anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated.

How's the fluid look (nice and red or brown/black)? Is it full? Does it smell burnt at all?

@FordMan78: The fluid does look nice and red and doesn't smell. It appears to be full, but the car's stuck on a bit on an incline, so I can't be positive.

@BillBoost37: oh I'm sorry about that; it's a 2001 with 221k miles. I know it's pretty high mileage, but I've actually had the trany replaced once before (with a used one.)

So I tried moving the car earlier today. At first it was still doing the same thing, but after letting it sit for a few minutes it finally went into hear and moved. However, I'm still afraid to drive it for fear it'll just get stuck somewhere else. Now, the way that this only happens intermittently suggests it might be an electrical issue, but the way my car's been jerking (see the link in my original post) suggests a trany problem. So in other words I'm still stumped. Again, any advice/insight is appreciated.

I'm wanting to say the last trany I put it in it had around 60k, but I'm not entirely certain.

Deviant79: im have almsot the same issues with my car. Turn the car on, out car into gear(which you can feel when it goes into gear) and the car wont move. Push the brake in to move the shifter back and the brake peddle is hard and stiff to move
Im stumped.
Put a scanner on my car and no codes. If you find anything let me know!