Shift Linkage Check
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Sable and 2003 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Hydraulic leakage at the manual control valve can cause delay in engagements and/or slipping while operating if the linkage is not correctly adjusted. For additional information, refer to TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION COOLING EXTERNAL CONTROLS for shift linkage adjustment.