# Car Won't Go Into Drive When I First Start It **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** escort, ford\ **Created:** [September 15, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-go-into-drive-when-i-first-start-it/55158 "2010-09-15T16:10:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davebrkwtz50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@davebrkwtz50](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davebrkwtz50)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-go-into-drive-when-i-first-start-it/55158/1 "2010-09-15T16:10:36Z")
I have an automatic transaxle '93 Ford Escort LX. For the past few weeks, when I first get into the car the shifter is stiff and when I first try drive, the engine will rev, but the car does not move forward. Usually after a few times reshifting it goes. Some days its been much worse then others; I had a repair shop rebuild the shifter, but the problem came back just 3 drives later. It seems like if I drive the car, stop it, and then drive it soon after its OK, but when it sits for a while (like overnight) the problem is worse in the morning. There was one day too (and this only happened once) where I got the car into drive, and then while I was holding a steady speed, the engine would seem to rev up abnormally, like it was changing gears, but there was no additional speed. By the time I got it to the mechanic and he drove it around, the problem vanished again. Do you think its the transmission or the shifter? I have a 900 mile drive coming up, and also need to know if driving the car will cause more damage. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-go-into-drive-when-i-first-start-it/55158/2 "2010-09-15T16:32:01Z")
It sounds like an issue with the shift linkage, but check the transmission fluid level just in case. ---
**Author:** ![davebrkwtz50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@davebrkwtz50](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davebrkwtz50)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-go-into-drive-when-i-first-start-it/55158/3 "2010-09-15T16:40:30Z")
One mechanic I took it to looked at the transmission fluid and said it seemed ok. I have a big trip on Friday (NY to Ohio); will it be dangerous/damaging to wait to have it looked at in OH? Or should I have diagnostics done or something before I go. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-go-into-drive-when-i-first-start-it/55158/4 "2010-09-15T16:44:45Z")
I would consider your car not reliable, until I knew that the problems are. In other words, unless you like standing by the side of the Pensilvania Turnpike, I would find other transportation or use the time staying home getting your car back in shape. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-go-into-drive-when-i-first-start-it/55158/5 "2010-09-15T17:50:17Z")
Well, it’s possible that it could stop working at any moment, and it is possible that damage is being done while you drive it like this.