Transmission problems 98 Ford Taurus...?

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yankeeroses3

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I haven't a clue where to start -- I got off work sat. night, went to a friends, and 5 min later we went to leave, and the car backed out of the drive -- then would not go forward. Or in reverse. Nothing.
I tried putting it in park and then drive again -- that did not work. It did not engage. I checked the fluid level -- as did others the next day -- it was full, and did not smell burnt. There have been no previous problems with my tranny -- I specifically tested for that before I bought it last August ($2000)

I WAS able to shift it into neutral and we pushed it back up into the driveway... Still, the only thing the car will do is rev in gear...
A customer (I am a waitress) went to look at at the car, and he said it was not the linkage "that he could see." He also said my CV joints (axle?) were fine. He said he took the cover off my steering column and checked sensors as well?
As I mentioned, there was no warning, no problems, its every gear, no movement...
More to follow...
The car has 190,000 miles on it. I am having a hard time knowing what to do next, where to turn. And is it fixable without replacing the whole transmission? Please HELP!!!

Now there is a high shriek like sound coming when the car is started. Have to assume it is related -- I dont know. Please give me your ideas -- and where can I find a transmission for 300 or less... Also, if bought, does the torque converter include the pump??? HELP!

I need to get thru this as cheaply as I can -- I am a single mom, just graduated college, and really have not much money. I appreciate any help offered. Thanks.
Ok -- I should mention, U pull It in Little Rock says that transmission would run me about 160$ -- and they have a third party who can pull it out for 125$. Add in a 16$ core charge and it will be about 320$. One guy said he would put a new one in for me for 250$ -- a shop said they would charge me 450$ labor if I supply the tranny.
All told -- that means about 550-600$ to get a new (used) tranny installed. But I need to make sure thats what is wrong before I replace it -- dont I?

Another thing -- U pull it needs me to come (100 miles) to pay the 125 removal fee and look at the pan on the car they have to determine if it is the right tranny. They have ONE possibilty. It might or might not be the right one... Sigh.
Locally, a junk yard said about 400$ IF they have it in stock -- but I cant tell which one I have yet. I believe it is the single cam overhead (SOH) not the dual (DOH). Even then, there are three types -- havent a clue if this is AXOD -- but I do have overdrive..?
Would appreciate diagnostics -- or ideas where I can find a tranny cheap (I am in southeast arkansas -- near louisiana and mississippi both) or any other help...
 
Be prepared to spend the same amount of the money as you purchased the car for. You dont need a brand new factory transmission, as your's can most likely be rebuilt. A 98 Taurus transmission at most shops rebuilt installed out the door with a warranty will run about two grand,
 
start by changing the transmission filter ... the pan may have too many shavings in the bottom .also check the vacuum modulator, and the vacuum hoses to the trani also check out autozone.com and look at your repair manual to get a good idea as to not go to the cleaners with repairs
 
This is the way they go out. Automatic transmissions will dump about every 100,000 to 150,000 miles. If you got 190,000 out of it, you did good maintenence to it. It is just it's time. However, If you talk to the mechanic that picks it up, and explain that you can not afford to put a transmission at this time, they will diagnose the Transmission, which means they will check the pump pressure, and look inside the pan for metal. If it is bad, chances that they will try to get over on you is slim to none. But, it probably is it's time
 
The shriek is probably unrelated, and most likely a slipping belt. The transmission problem sounds like a bad MLPS (manual lever position sensor)., or a fault in the solenoid valve control cable.
getting a mechanic to install a replacement transmission is about $2000 plus the cost of the transmission.
 
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