Feels first gear doesn't engage from stop

Fiestas are notorious for the front left half shaft creating shifting problems.

I will answer this as if it is a manual gear box as the solution will be different for an automatic.
First gear has a syncro ring energise spring that when pushed against the syncro cone in the gear spins the gear to the relevant shaft speed so that engagement is smooth. Because of the vast difference of the shaft speeds when engaging 1st gear the energising doesn't get a chance to work and so the gears refuse to mesh. To possible ways to get around this is to keep the road speed low say around 10mph or less or increase the engine rpm up to around 3500-4000rpm before trying to engage 1st gear. Basically the syncro is for engaging the gear as you are coming to a stop or going very slow . Check the drain plug magnet for metal as the clutch shaft bearing may be moving forward and preventing the engagement properly.

HAVE YOU THE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM? I FEEL I HAVE A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHEN I PUSH THE ACCELERATOR FULL THROTTLE, WHEN THE 3 GEAR PASS TO 4 GEAR I HAVE A VIOLENTLY KICK. BUT IF I DON`T PUSH FULL THROTTLE THE TRANSMISSION FEELS GOOD. IF YOU HAVE A SOLUTION PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I ALL READY CHANGE THE VALVE BODY, ALSO I TRY WITH AN OTHER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME.

does the front tires roll when in drive while you have the 4x4 engaged if not it sounds like the transfer case isn't engaging properly

If the starter motor spins at high speed, but doesn't turn the engine until you whack it, the starter gear is not engaging the flywheel. Probably the engagement fork or the starter gear is worn out or sticky, or the solenoid isn't pushing it far enough.

Hello. As you know, the transmission is one of the more sophisticated components in any auto. It takes the most transmission pressure to engage reverse, third, and fourth gear in an auto tranny. In an auto tranny, the shifter is connected to a linkage that manually shifts between the different gears in the transmission. When you shift into reverse, all transmission pressure is concentrated to engage reverse. When you shift to drive the transmission will operate normally, building pressure until it can shift into the next gear. With third, second, or first gear selected it will lock out all higher gears (Unless the TCU detects overrevving of the engine, in which case it will override gear selection and upshift to avoid engine damage). All the TCU does in a modern auto tranny is control shift points. Years and years ago, shifting was controlled by a spring attached to the gas pedal. When the gas pedal was depressed, the spring would expand. As tranny pressure grew, the spring would become compressed until it was fully compressed, engaging the next gear. The harder you stepped on the gas, the longer you went until the tranny shifted. In modern transmissions the TCU dictates shift points, and not much else. The TCU will also control when the torque converter will lock, but that's where it's duties end. The problem with engaging reverse is either a linkage issue, or a problem with the pump not building enough pressure to fully engage reverse.

Try putting the shifter in reverse, holding the brakes firmly, and giving the car gas. If the car reaches a higher RPM and suddenly slams into reverse it is the pump. The pump will only build enough pressure to engage reverse with higher RPM's. If the pump is severly damaged it won't engage at all, but if this is the case it probably won't engage third or fourth gear either at that point. If the problem is with the linkage, reverse just won't engage whatsoever, despite RPM's. I'd say start with the shift linkage. If it's bent or misadjusted it could cause reverse to not be fully engaged. The TCU doesn't control reverse at all, since there are no shift points and no need for the torque converter to lock.

Check the oil level in the shift on the fly (sotf) part of the axle thats the left of the front one - it holds about 1 pint of gear oil and gets missed at service time .

Does your clutch feel soft or spongy ? Not sure if it would have a slave cylinder on that model or not ? if so there should be a reservoir under the hood for fluid, check and see, if so add some brake fluid and see if that works. Could also be a bent fork which has come off the throw out bearing.

its the clutch,clutch plate worn and pressure plate spring a bit weak on one side and dragging.when engaging first engage second first then push up into first.or turn off engine ,engage first then start engine in gear.When changing clutch fit only a valeo,borg and beck.any branded make but not a reconditioned unit.This is a JAG remember,so no smoking in car,polish every sunday and cream the leather every second week .

Check your clutch fluid level, sometimes a seperate reservoir (drivers side on firewall), some clutch systems take fluid from the brake system (check brake fluid). If thats ok then the clutch slave may be failing.
If the clutch fluid is low refill it and check for leaks (or just wait till the symptom comes back). If it's happens often then theres a leak in the line or the slave somewhere.