transmission goes funny in extreme cold

I have a 95 escort lx(4sp automatic). Whenever it is extremely cold
(-15c) the car will suddenly disengage from overdrive. Then no matter
how much I fool with the gas, it (overdrive) fails to engage. I
have'nt noticied this with any of the other gears. This happened the
first time after driving for a half an hour, so the car is warmed up.
I don't know if this has something to do with it, but sometimes (again
in extreme cold) the starter moter won't turn until I fiddle around
with the shifter and column. Now, do I have an expensive transmission
problem for sure, or could the problem be from some linkage or
solinoid? Any suggestions would be appriciated.

"thegreenescort" > wrote in message
om...
>I have a 95 escort lx(4sp automatic). Whenever it is extremely cold
> (-15c) the car will suddenly disengage from overdrive. Then no matter
> how much I fool with the gas, it (overdrive) fails to engage. I
> have'nt noticied this with any of the other gears. This happened the
> first time after driving for a half an hour, so the car is warmed up.
> I don't know if this has something to do with it, but sometimes (again
> in extreme cold) the starter moter won't turn until I fiddle around
> with the shifter and column. Now, do I have an expensive transmission
> problem for sure, or could the problem be from some linkage or
> solinoid? Any suggestions would be appriciated.

Sounds like you might have two problems. The thing dropping out of
overdrive could be just a plugged transmission filter and/or not enough or
too much trans. fluid. Not expensive to check & fix.

Jiggling the shifter & column to start it sounds like a switch problem
somewhere.

"Jiggling the shifter & column to start it sounds like a switch problem

somewhere."

I think it's called a "Neutral Safety switch". It's cheap and easy to
fix. You should be able to fix this one yourself. It may just be dirt
in switch contacts.

"thegreenescort" > wrote in message
om...

> I have a 95 escort lx(4sp automatic). Whenever it is extremely cold
> (-15c) the car will suddenly disengage from overdrive. Then no matter
> how much I fool with the gas, it (overdrive) fails to engage. I



When was the last A/T service?

How many miles on the odometer?



Perhaps A/T Filter clogged needs R/R


> have'nt noticied this with any of the other gears. This happened the
> first time after driving for a half an hour, so the car is warmed up.
> I don't know if this has something to do with it, but sometimes (again
> in extreme cold) the starter moter won't turn until I fiddle around
> with the shifter and column. Now, do I have an expensive transmission
> problem for sure, or could the problem be from some linkage or
> solinoid?



Next time a no-start condition -- try this >> open the hood, locate the starter
solenoid -- attach a 12 gauge wire to the (+) battery, use other end --
momentarily touch to starter solenoid (S) terminal -- starter should engage and
engine should crank! -- Not start unless key switch is on position!



BBA

"Billy Bad Assr©" > wrote in message >...
> "thegreenescort" > wrote in message
> om...
>
> > I have a 95 escort lx(4sp automatic). Whenever it is extremely cold
> > (-15c) the car will suddenly disengage from overdrive. Then no matter
> > how much I fool with the gas, it (overdrive) fails to engage. I
>
>
>
> When was the last A/T service?
>
> How many miles on the odometer?
>
>
>
> Perhaps A/T Filter clogged needs R/R
>
>
> > have'nt noticied this with any of the other gears. This happened the
> > first time after driving for a half an hour, so the car is warmed up.
> > I don't know if this has something to do with it, but sometimes (again
> > in extreme cold) the starter moter won't turn until I fiddle around
> > with the shifter and column. Now, do I have an expensive transmission
> > problem for sure, or could the problem be from some linkage or
> > solinoid?
>
>
>
> Next time a no-start condition -- try this >> open the hood, locate the starter
> solenoid -- attach a 12 gauge wire to the (+) battery, use other end --
> momentarily touch to starter solenoid (S) terminal -- starter should engage and
> engine should crank! -- Not start unless key switch is on position!
>
>
>
> BBA


The car has 173000 Kms on it. I've checked the fuild. It's the right
colour and the level is good. The problem has'nt appeared again since
last sunday. So I hop e it's just a filter. But why would it only
happen in extreme cold? Anyhow, it's due for transmission service
anyway (I bought it used and the guy could'nt tell me if it ever had
been done). Thank for the help everyone. About using the wire on the
starter, how can I tell which terminal to touch on the starter, is
this potentualy dangerous? Again thanks for everyone's time and
advice.