Shifting problem

"Bluestar28" <albertcj48.TakeThisOut@aol-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:vsudnbMWvtLMrUPbnZ2dnUVZ_qygnZ2d@giganews.com...
>I just recently purchased a 2005 Focus ZX4. It has a little over
> 16000 miles. My main problem is, at times, the gear shifts from 1st
> to neutral. It is very sporadic. It might happen 3 or 4 times in
> one day, and then not at all for a few days. The shift always occurs
> right after a complete stop, right as I press on the acceleration.
> This complete stop must be accompanied by a shift to 1st. It never
> happens after a complete stop in which I was already in 1st (ex.
> traffic congestion).
>
> I have taken it to a dealership, but I was told that they can't
> attempt to fix it until they can recreate the problem. Like I said,
> this can be a problem because of its sporadic nature. I would
> appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

I had a similar problem with my 2002 Focus that would only happen after the
transmission got warm. I took it to the local independent transmission shop
and had them do a flush. They said this would sometimes free a sticky valve.
After 2 weeks, I still had the problem. This shop wanted $2300 to replace
the transmission. They seemed to think that total replacement was the
answer.
So I took the Focus to a Ford dealership and had them drive it in stop and
go traffic for 20 minutes to get the transmission warm and they recreated
the problem. Turned out to be a failing valve on the transmission which was
fixed without removing the transmission. Cost me around $500.

Maybe a transmission flush could fix your problem. If not, you'll have to be
able to figure out how to recreate the problem before taking it to someone.
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