When my van is cold, the transmission will not engage when I shift into drive. I have to rev the engine up several times before the transmission will engage. Once the engine is warm, this is not a problem. I have changed tranny fluid, and installed new tranny filters. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanx, Rick.

I would start looking to a new car/van.

One thing I would like to know. Have you ever over heated the engine or ran it out of water? This can over heat the trany and burn things that were not suppose to get that hot. Trany oil gets hot, it starts to break down. Have you ever had your coolant flushed? Have you ever had you trany flushed? Not just changed, but hooked up to a flushing unit.

I recommend for all who read this to check your owners manual about transmission flushing. Brought my trany back to life before it was to late.

It has been my experiance that when "Slipping" starts happening, it is time for a transmission overhaul. Now, it may just need the "Bands" adjusted but even that may not get you another 10,000 miles.

The fact that you have changed the trany filter and fluid leads me to think you have major problems coming on. One thing to note here is, did you use the correct transmission fluid for a Ford. I think, if my memory serves me right, that Ford has a odd ball fluid or additive that you MUST add. But not being a "Real" auto machanic, I don't for sure.

Before you spend to much more money, try one of the transmission cure-alls that are on the market. They causes the little rubber "O" rings to soften, swell and seal off better. This will give some life if it works. Only good for a one shot use though. Don't add another bottle when it starts happening again. If it works, it will buy you some time to find a replacement and trade it in.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, it's kinda weird. I only have this problem when the van is cold. If I let the van warm up for 10 minutes in the morning, all is pretty much OK. And once it is running, I have no problem at all getting the tranny to engage when I put it into Drive. I should also mention that I never have any problems (engine warm or cold) getting the transmission to engage when I put it into reverse. I'll try getting the tranny flushed, add the additive, and see what happens. I've got over 350k on this tranny, so it doesn't really owe me anything. Any other thoughts or solutions are welcome.

Rick.