I'm new and not much of a knowledgable car person, but I hope to contribute in one way or the other. Glad to see a forum with so much activity.

That said, I am having a worrisome problem with my 2002 Ford Escape with, presumably, the transmission.

- If the car is idle for a while (most notably in the morning), the transmission will not get out of the first gear until I hit about 4500 RPM. It will continue to do this until I get to the highway.

- From there on out, as long as the car doesn't sit for too long, I do not have this problem from the start. Odd.

- While this is happening, the speedometer does not move until it gets into second gear.

- Sometimes, the odometer will read six dashes and will return to displaying the mileage. This does not happen every time, though.

- All throughout the ride, gear changes are relatively rough.

- No other noticable issues.

115,000 miles
I bought the vehicle two years ago.

So, any initial leads?

Thanks again.

 

If the vehicle speed sensor was on vacation, hoping for a trip to the beach where it's warm... it would affect the speedometer and shifting. It tells the computer you are going fast enough to shift, and operates the speedo.
tom

 

You need to find someone or someplace that has a code reader that can do all the different functions - including electrical issues. I agree with TomW that speed sensor will cause issues but you also describe the speedo acting up which has it's own circuit and can feed bad info out to computer. The bottom line is with the right reader you can see what is showing a problem. Many of the codes for electrical issues do not give an "engine light" to warn you but they are in the system. Try calling any of the local auto parts places or other shops that offer free "code reading" and ask if their machine can do electrical system. My machine has an actual test block for the speedometer and then a seperate block for the GEM etc. It just means that the machine can read all the different computers. I have the same year Escape and it does require reading the seperate computers/ systems for body electrics and speedo system. You will (or should be) having codes stored for the issues you describe. If the main computer is failing it will also cause all sorts of strange issues in different components but if you can retrieve codes it may give you some starting point. It may even say the speed sensor is erratic but normally that one does give an engine light. Try NAPA etc. to see if someone has good machine - not just PCM (engine/trans) code reader.

 

Awesome. I am happy to hear something other than "sell car NOW!" I will get on this right away.