Auto festy trans problem

[Ford Fester]

Just had a member message me this. I have no experience with festy auto transmissions.

Hey buddy my festy is having a problem hopefully you can help me out with what to do it won't kick into drive right away but if I shift from drive to park a bunch of times it will finally kick in but reverse works fine... Can you text me 712-204-6995

Thanks

[DriverOne]

Re: Auto festy trans problem

That sounds like the trans cable needs to be adjusted.

[FestYboy]

either he's low on fluid, and/or he needs a fluid flush and fill. in either case i'll go with my gut and say low fluid and he should have it replaced.

[Skrapbob]

DriverOne knows his stuff! My festy had this problem also before I bought it from my friend. The bushing in the linkage at the trans in probably wore out. He wrapped some safety wire around it to tighten the mechanism up, and his fix has lasted for two years now.

[FestYboy]

that doesn't explain why reverse works every time, please explain.

[crazyrog17]

My car does the same thing when cold. It takes a second to kick into gear. It slips for a second when switching gears as you take off.

What's the best way to complete a diy flush filter and fill?

I've got a few ideas but don't know if anyone's had experience.

[Skrapbob]

DriverOne knows his stuff! My festy had this problem also before I bought it from my friend. The bushing in the linkage at the trans in probably wore out. He wrapped some safety wire around it to tighten the mechanism up, and his fix has lasted for two years now.

that doesn't explain why reverse works every time, please explain.

Hopefully it's just a cable issue. Sam (previous owner) would move his shifter slowly from nuetral to drive, and it wouldn't drop into gear without thumping it or dropping it hard into drive. I don't think he was having trouble with reverse at that time. It's easy to check the linkage at the trans, it's right on top in the open.

[Movin]

[QUOTE=crazyrog17;563782]My car does the same thing when cold. It takes a second to kick into gear. It slips for a second when switching gears as you take off.

What's the best way to complete a diy flush filter and fill?


[QUOTE=crazyrog17;563782]My car does the same thing when cold. It takes a second to kick into gear. It slips for a second when switching gears as you take off.

What's the best way to complete a diy flush filter and fill?

Hi Crazy.. Let the car do the work. Pull the cooler line that returns the oil to the transmission. Start the engine and let the oil run out into a pan placed under the car to catch the oil. It will not take long for it to run out of oil so watch it close and turn the engine off when it does. Fill the transmission with new ATF and over fill a quart or so. Run that through and out into the pan. Keep doing this until the oil coming out looks clean..about a case of oil.

For the deluxe service , before you begin flushing, remove both hoses from the cooler in the radiator and blow carb or brake cleaner through the cooler until it comes out clean on the other side. Then proceed with the above.

Those with power steering can do the same with that system, only it is very likely in a festy you do not have a power steering cooler. Cap the nipple for the return hose , fill the reservoir and proceed as above.

[JVaught]

i checked the fluid and filled it up but it still does the same thing.... if i drive in reverse and then shift to drive i can get it to drive but if i just shift to drive from park it does nothing...

[MiltonHavoc]

I have just developed the cold trans problem. its been getting very cold here in Colorado lately. If I turn her on and go to move her closer to the door or whatever; she is really weak in (D)rive, and the steering is even harder than usual.

[Movin]

You have power steering!!!! ? I want! Both systems could be suffering from hard seals and wear in the bores, where the seals do the most work. There are additives that can help for a while before replacement is needed. New synthetic fluid may help too.

[ericsmith32]

Lubeguard Red helped with several of our auto trans with this problem... although if you have tired fluid it would akin to putting lipstick on a pig. $10 for 10oz. I have some in the Festiva right now no problems in this cold weather. When I first got it did. Our Focus needs some as it has cold shift issues. Not saying that's your problem though..

[GenevaDirt]

i checked the fluid and filled it up but it still does the same thing.... if i drive in reverse and then shift to drive i can get it to drive but if i just shift to drive from park it does nothing...

Cable needs adjusted...probably not much. I had the same issue....now I have the issue for reverse sometimes but I can deal with it till it is warmer outside to work on it.

[georgeb]

Pull console and selector plate. Put shifter in D. Look at where roller sits in detent groove. Should be toward front of car (cable tight). If it can be moved around groove with ease then cable needs to be tightened slightly. Adjust so that roller sits in forward part of groove.

[rbrown]

Go beyond D and let me know if it does the same thing.