# Trouble in reverse

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-reverse/53384>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** escort, ford\
**Created:** [August 12, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-reverse/53384 "2010-08-12T02:46:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![grahamnash86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e274bd/32.png) [@grahamnash86](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grahamnash86)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-reverse/53384/1 "2010-08-12T02:46:32Z")

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I have a 98 Ford Escort. I recently drove across the country with no problem, but today I started to back out of the driveway and the car felt like it wouldn’t go into gear. The car goes forward fine, but reverse seems to be a problem. Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-reverse/53384/2 "2010-08-12T03:35:34Z")

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The first thing I would do is check the transmission fluid level. The next option if the fluid is full is to remove the transmission pan, drain the fluid and replace the filter. Fill it with new fluid and keep your fingers crossed.

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**Author:** ![grahamnash86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e274bd/32.png) [@grahamnash86](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grahamnash86)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-reverse/53384/3 "2010-08-12T19:17:26Z")

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i will give that a shot. thanks!

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**Author:** ![ignoramus9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d07c76/32.png) [@ignoramus9](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ignoramus9)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-reverse/53384/4 "2010-08-12T21:37:59Z")

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assumes an automatic, correct?

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**Author:** ![grahamnash86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e274bd/32.png) [@grahamnash86](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grahamnash86)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trouble-in-reverse/53384/5 "2010-08-12T22:02:31Z")

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yes it’s an automatic