mechanic needed.

[stew pidasso]

My daily driver Betsy has been having some issues. She is an automatic 1.3 L two door 95 Ford escort. When I put her in gear forward or reverse, nothing happens for about 3 min. Then she finally takes off. Don't want to be stranded somewhere. Oil levels fine. Filter maybe? any help would be great. Josh

[Woodchuck]

you might try that but it does not sound promising. 

[wraithen]

Sounds like a rebuild or new tranny may be in order. That sucks.

[92xj]

Are you checking the level when its cool or warm?  Which one does the dipstick say to check it at.

Seems like a classic sign of low fluid....But then again, if its a solid 3 minutes I would be looking for a junkyard tranny to swap in. 

[stew pidasso]

I have checked it warm and cold. both show full. A buddy is going to help me change filter flush and clean (cylinoids?) this weekend. Try that an see if it makes a difference.

[dannysdaddy]

tranny.   

[FC]

For the cost of the transmission (even used) and the cost of having it put in I would suggest doing some car shopping. 

[sirfunkeybut]

sounds like a torque converter issue to me. Yous said OIL level is fine, did you check the tranny fluid? check the manual to see if its to be in park or neutral for checking. the tranny should be good and warmed up while checking.

[TwoSixFourWins]

I also say torque converter.

[JohnVH]

some rigs you can adjust the bands, maybe they are out of adjustment, but if its been slipping, they are probably fried, if it isnt something as easy as a converter.

What does the trans fluid smell like? if it smells burnt, your probably done with that setup.