Hey Guys,

A few months ago I pulled up at a traffic light and tried to pull off. When I press on the accelerator, the engine revved, but the car didn’t move an inch. I placed it into park and then drive again and all was well. I took it to a local garage the next morning, but of course nothing was wrong with it ($100 wasted for them checking it). They suggested that they flushed the transmission fluid and add additives as this can sometimes repair them. I agreed and it has been fine for about 3 months.
Yesterday we placed the car into drive and nothing happened (same as before) so we tried the park, then drive again, but this time drive would not work. We had to drive home in 2nd
My question is do you think that we need a new transmission or can it be repaired? (is it the transmission)? I have checked all the fluids today and they are all full.
I really don’t want to pay $3,500 for a reconditioned transmission and installation if possible so any advice you can give would be VERY much appreciated.
After reading a little last night, someone suggested that the bands (I think that’s right?) might need tightening.
FYI... Reverse works perfectly, and I know that this usually goes before drive. The transmission is an automatic. Reverse, 1st and 2nd all work without any problems and none are hard to put into gear. Drive seems a little sloppy - very easy to place into gear so I hope this information helps.

Thanks for any suggestions guys as I will be calling around about this tomorrow and would like to have some basic knowledge before I get completely ripped off.

I have a Mazda Tribute 2004 - 78000 miles - automatic - 3.0L

 

Take it to Mazda and have them check it out since your local shop didn't find anything wrong and your having the same problem. Have you serviced the transmission at the proper intervals? If not that could be why your having problems.

 

My my Tribute is doing the same thing. Did you figure out what was wrong? Transmission control solenoid?

 

The transmission needed to be replaced. Mazda wanted $3,500. I took to several other well-known transmission places and they quoted me $3,000. I went back to Mada and they agreed to $2,500, but the final bill ended up being over $2,800. If you get this repaired, get a firm quote that they will stand behind, otherwise, you'll have the same issue as me. I traded the vehicle in about 6 months later and will never buy Mazda or Ford again. This is a common fault for these Ford transmissions and Mazda agreed.