'06 Grand Marquis issues shifting into gear and stalling

BKMERC

A few weeks ago I started having an issue with shifting out of park at startup. I have to place my foot on the brake for several minutes then I hear a click and can shift out of park. I have been trying to figure out why this started all of a sudden and it's only from a cold start, if the car is still warm at startup, it shifts fine. Yesterday I started it up, waited and put it into reverse, backed out of work, shut it off to get out and lock the gate, got back in started it up, it shifted immediately into reverse then stalled. This happened twice the on the 3rd start I just let it idle in park a few minutes then it was fine. What could be causing this? All my fluids are fine, I have no lights on, I keep up with the maintenance and this car has been babied. Please help, I do all my own repairs but I have always stayed away from transmissions. Could it be a transmission cooler line clog? There are absolutely no leaks that I can see.

oldfarmer50

I had a similar problem with a 2004 Chevy Express van. It turned out it was a sensor in the transmission that told the computer what gear the vehicle was in. Without that input the van would stall when shifting from reverse to drive. The sensor was a pretty cheap repair ( $125). I don’t know how similar the Ford and GM systems are but for those old electronic transmissions I’m guessing they’re the same basic design. Have a trusted transmission shop pull the codes. You might get lucky.

On the other hand it could just be low or dirty fluid. How many miles since the last change?

tjc78

I’m pretty familiar with the Panther platform but this one evades my knowledge. Not a common problem, does sound like the transmission pump maybe? Like the fluid isn’t being pushed through the system when shifting into gear.

Unfortunately looks like a trip to the dealer or trans shop.

thecardoc3

It sounds like you are describing a problem with the shift interlock system. It prevents you from shifting out of park unless you have your foot on the brake. Depending on whether you have a floor console shift, or a column shift lever the circuit is slightly different. With the floor console the interlock solenoid operates a cable that releases the shift lever. With the column mounted system, the solenoid catches and releases the shift lever directly.