Van Won't shift into gear. 2003 Ford Windstar, ran great until today. 78K miles Car starts and makes a loud?

Question

winding noise. When I shift out of park, nothing happens. It's as if the transmission has disengaged? Never changed transmission filter. Fluid level? How do I check? What is going on? PLEASE, This is my families only mode of transportation, and not allot of extra cash to splurge on a repair? HELP.

Answer 1

Transmissions on those cars fail around that mileage. You need to have it rebuilt.

Answer 2

without seeing the vehicle myself it does sound like the torque converter bolts are missing or the "flex plate" is broken, you need to get under the vehicle and check to see of the converter spins free, if so the bolts are gone or plate is broken the converter should turn with the engine and be very hard  to rotate if it moves easily or spins the problem is as stated

Answer 3

Well the transmission fluid and filter are a great place to start along with a bottle of Lucus for transmissions.  All that will cost you about $30 though and I will not guarantee that it will fix your problem...  I would almost say with the noise that it is making and no other symptoms prior to this event, that something internally has broken and is going to need a complete rebuild.  Cheapest way especially if you can do it yourself is to go to the car-parts.com website and locate a transmission near you.  If you cannot do it yourself then you are at the mercy of the nearest mechanic to do you right in the keester...