Questions and Answers

Ford Mustang No Shift

Q. My daughters car has a problem with the automatic transmission. It won't shift from first gear until she has driven it for a while. Today it took 35 minutes before it would shift. Fluid level is good, color is good, fluid and filter were changed early last year when I changed some seals because of a leak. Any ideas before I spend some hard earned cash?

• 1989 Ford Mustang
• 4 cyl
• 4 speed automatic
• 130,000 miles
• A/C
• Power brakes and windows

Thanks,
Chris

A. I hope I'm right on with this one Chris, I know about those hard earned dollars very well.

Look at the transmission modulator on the transmission. There is a vacuum line running to it. Pull the line off and see if any transmission fluid runs out. If it does, you have a bad modulator and it needs to be replaced. if no fluid comes out, check to see if there is vacuum to the modulator. if there is no vacuum, trace the line back to the intake manifold and make sure there are no kinks, cracks or breaks. Also make sure it is connected to the manifold.

If that checks out okay, I'm afraid some of those hard earned dollars will have to be parted with.