wouldn't move in reverse

[tomd]

This is about my 2003 Lincoln not my Marauder

I have a question (need help) for all you auto smart guys :bows: regarding my 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The battery died and I tried recharging over a couple of days, didn't work. I removed the battery on the 3rd day and put a new one in about an hour or so later. When I went to use the car the next day it started no problem, put her in reverse to back out of the garage the car would not move! Engine revved up car rose up BUT it wouldn't move, felt like I was holding down the brake pedal. Ran the gear shift back and forth still wouldn't move in reverse, put her in drive she move forward then into reverse, she finally did back out of the garage. Did this happened because the battery was removed and the on board computer need to readjust the transmission??? :confused: Scared to drive her anywhere now, don't want to get stuck somewhere and then pay for a tow. Only about 50,000 miles on the car and it is well taken care of. :alone:

[JimmyXR7]

Over the years I have had problems with 2 fords, both column shifters with automatic transmissions. the first would not start unless the shift lever was wiggled into the unknown "right" position. the second where the transmission would shift from drive into 2nd and I would have to push on the shift lever to allow the trans to shift back into 3rd.
I would look into wiggleing your shift lever if the problem occurs again. If that is the problem a mechanic can re-adjust the trans shift linkage.
Jim

[babbage]

My bet is linkage, it's pretty easy to adjust. I loosened the linkage, put trans in 1st gear (from underneath - all the way forward) then inside car -put shifter in first gear, then go back under and tighten it down.

You'll know it's linkage if you get her into reverse by pulling it past reverse and towards neutral.

[RF Overlord]

Engine revved up car rose up BUT it wouldn't move, felt like I was holding down the brake pedal. Ran the gear shift back and forth still wouldn't move in reverse, put her in drive she move forward then into reverse, she finally did back out of the garage.Sounds like the e-brake was on, the e-brake cable didn't fully release, or the e-brake shoes were stuck.
Did this happened because the battery was removed and the on board computer need to readjust the transmission???No. The transmission doesn't "learn" how to engage reverse.

[vegasmarauder]

Auot Ebrake release only works when in a forward gear, not reverse. Got a call from a friend (female, not that it matters) who was reporting the same thing (and brake light was lit on dash). Told her to put it in D for 3 seconds and then try it again. She was a tad embarassed. I think was this was change in the late 70's when Ford had a problem with cars jumping into reverse when started due to worn linkages.

[Motorhead350]

When shifted in reverse nudge the shifter towards the dash. It will shift. Mine did that when it has 60 original miles.