98 Windstar Transmission

[aboogger]

Have a 98 Windstar...Here's what happened...Everything has been fine and no problems but when the van was started and put into drive it took off and was driving fine until the Heater was turned on, then all of a sudden it would not go...the engine runs fine but the tranny will not go into any gear and drive....
there has been no problems up to this point....found a vacuum line off and put it back on and even found a 25 amp fuse blown and replaced it...but still nothing...
Any Ideas....

[mpeoples]

Sounds like an electrical problem (possibly an internmittent short). I'm no mechanic, but I am in the midst of a 96 AX4S (possible) rebuild. The fact that the heater affects it suggests a possible vacuum issue because the damper doors operate on engine vacuum (it keeps them open), so you might want to check that. I haven't read the entire ATSG AX4S manual, but low vacuum would tell an older transmission (like the A4LD in my 89 Aerostar), that there is very little demand so, the transmission wouldn't shift. At least that's my understanding.

Unfortunately, the transmission is the most complex part of the car, and probably the most difficult to fix or diagnose. Good luck.