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The auto transmission on my 1996 Ford Taurus has started "playing up."

The car is fine in 1,2 and R but when using 'D' the gears don't seem to engage and the engine just revs.

This is an intermittent problem but getting worse.

I have just replaced the thermostat (as suggested by a transmission shop) and also had the transmission flushed in the hope of clearing any likely blockage, but the problem still remains.
Any ideas.

Bill.

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

It sounds to me like the transmission has an internal problem.

I am not a fan of transmission flushes when faults like you are describing develop as it just adds unnecessary costs to what may ultimately be a very expensive repair.

The thermostat theory is interesting also when the transmission is fine in some gears but not others.

When an engine revs as you are describing, it is normally a sign the transmission is slipping and the problem will never be sorted properly until it is removed and stripped down to investigate further.

If the bottom pan of the transmission can be removed, it may give a clue to the amount of worn material or metal circulating through the hydraulic system.