I say HELP because my daughter was born last night. We picked up my 18 month old son from our friend’s house and were getting ready to leave when it happened…so I need to figure out ASAP what’s going on. We have only one car and I live a half hour’s drive from work. 2002 Ford Taurus, 103,000 miles.…

I’d agree that this is probably the linkage and not the transmission itself, which should be much cheaper to fix.

This does sound like a broken or disconnected shift linkage.

Thanks! I feel MUCH better hearing that. How much do you think it costs to repair that??

While it could be the linkage, and I am really hoping it is. Taurus of that gen also have weak transmissions… I was driving my mom’s 2000 Taurus back in 2002 or 2003 so it was fairly young at the time. We were doing 65 MPH on the highway, stepped on the gas lightly while passing someone, trans went …

It could be something very simple, like a linkage pin fell out, a $20-$30 repair…Sounds like the shift lever is no longer attached to the transmission…It can’t be THAT bad…

If it’s $20 to $30 I’m sending you a Starbucks gift card.

I had something very similar happen on my Taurus a couple of years ago. Although I don’t recall the exact problem it was a very cheap fix. Something came loose under the dash on the shift column if I remember right.

With the engine running, the parking brake set and someone keeping the brake pedal firmly depressed, the shift lever on the transmission can be moved through the gears. If you feel confident enough the car can be shifted to move it and drive it home or to the shop. But don’t try to move it if you do…

I’d bet the linkage has come unattached somewhere between the steering column and the transmission. If you raised the hood you might see where it is unattached.

HELP - car won't shift into any gear at all / no symptoms prior / one car family

Maintenance/Repairs

Rod-Knox March 1, 2012, 9:40pm 5

It is very likely the linkage on the lower column and I will assume that the Taurus steering column has changed little over the years and recommend that you shop around the salvage yards for a complete column assembly and a shop that will replace it. The linkage is another Rube Goldberg contraption that defies logic.

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HELP - car won't shift into any gear at all / no symptoms prior / one car family

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