Help save my sisters Taurus! Please!!

[KarensTaurus]

My sister's Taurus has been an ultra-reliable car for her and she loves it. Unfortunately, today we've run into trouble. And I think it's bad.

She drove it to work without any issues. She parked it for 8 hours. She started the car, placed it in Drive and pushed the gas. Nothing. Well, nothing except for the engine reving. So she tried reverse. Same thing.

I've heard of Automatic Transmissions going out, but don't they usually slip first? My sister freaks out if her car sputters, squeaks, beeps, or moans. So if it had been slipping, we would have heard about it.

I took a look to see if the linkage had come off or something, but it's attached and moves the selector at the top of the transmission when the lever is moved. The only thing I noticed was that the fluid level was at the "HOT" full mark when the car was most definately cool. Could that cause the car not to go into any gear?

Putting the car in "Park" will still stop the car from rolling. All of the other gears (including Drive and Reverse) just let the car roll as if it was in neutral.

I just thought it was odd that both the forward gears and reverse all worked on the way there (she has to back out of the driveway) and then didn't work for her drive home. WEIRD.

I was wondering if there is a transmission control module or relay or other electronic device that may have gone out. The only fuse I could find related to the transmission was "Transmission Control Switch". I replaced it and still no go. The tranny fluid doesn't smell burnt and is dark red.

If anyone has any ideas, please post them. She can't afford to buy another car at this point. I had to post this for her because she isn't familiar with message forums (she hates computers).

Thanks,
-Ray

*EDIT*
Sorry forgot to give you the specs of the car:

1996 Ford Taurus GL Wagon
3.0L V6
Automatic Transmission (sorry don't know which one?)

*END EDIT*

[waylowrider]

This is over my head, but I did a search here on past posts and the prognosis doesn't look good. If you cut/paste "98 taurus transmission problem" in the search slot you'll see some possible things to check that ABE listed. But from the replys I read from ABE and RickMN, it looks like a pump motor in the tranny has failed.

[KarensTaurus]

Thanks for the reply. I will check out the threads you mentioned. I appreciate the help.

-Ray