Questions and Answers

Ford Tempo Won't Shift From First Gear Q. Mr. Ciulla, Good day, I have a question about a 1993 Ford Tempo I recently acquired. When I bought it, it needed a head gasket. I replaced the head gasket as well as the head. Runs like a dream. My problem popped up with the automatic transaxle. When driving in auto, it will not shift out of first until it reaches 40 mph. I have had it up to 60 mph and it never did shift into 3rd. There is no change when shifting manually.

I spoke to the previous owner and he said there were no transmission problems before the head gasket problem arose. I am stumped. I found what looks like a vacuum nipple not attached to anything but I hooked vacuum up to it and it didn't make a difference. Then I found out that its electronic not vacuum.

As I said, it is a 1993 Ford Tempo, it has a 2.3 liter with an automatic transmission. It has 71,000 miles and I am sure its not 171,000. Any help you could give would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

A. Since this seems to have started after doing the head gasket, I would have to think you either forgot to replace the throttle valve cable, or it is not connected or adjusted properly.

To adjust it you need a special tool from Ford, so I would recommend they make the adjustment.

If the problem is not due to a low ATF level or throttle valve cable, the only other causes are internal to the transmission.