Transmission does not shift into over drive. - 1997 Mercury Mystique

If the transmission was recently repaired and the vehicle is still having trouble shifting into drive, there could be a few possible issues at play. Here are a few things that might be causing the problem:

1. The transmission was not properly reassembled: If the transmission was not put back together correctly, it could be causing shifting problems.
2. There is a problem with the transmission fluid: If the transmission fluid is low or contaminated, it can cause shifting issues.
3. There is a problem with the shift linkage: The shift linkage connects the shift lever to the transmission, and if it is damaged or not adjusted properly, it may be difficult to shift into gear.
4. There is a problem with the transmission control module: The transmission control module is a computer that controls the transmission. If it is not functioning properly, it can cause shifting problems.

Have it check for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes ?
GEM Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index
GEM Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index DTC Description Source Action C1728 Transfer Case Unable to Transition Between 2H and 4H GEM CARRY OUT the electronic shift function test. REFER to Function Test - Electronic Shift in this section. C1729 Transfer Case Unable to Transition Between 4H and 4L GEM CARRY OUT the electronic shift function test. REFER to Function Test - Electronic Shift in this section. P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Malfunction GEM GO to Pinpoint Test F . P1804 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive High Indicator Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test H . P1808 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive Low Indicator Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test I . P1812 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive Mode Select Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1815 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive Mode Select Short Circuit to Ground GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1819 Transmission Park/Neutral Position Switch Short Circuit to Ground GEM GO to Pinpoint Test F . P1820 Transmission Transfer Case Clockwise Shift Relay Coil Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1822 Transmission Transfer Case Clockwise Shift Relay Coil Short to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1828 Transfer Case Counterclockwise Shift Relay Coil Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1830 Transmission Transfer Case Counterclockwise Shift Relay Coil Short Circuit to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1832 Transmission Transfer Case Differential Lockup Solenoid Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test G . P1834 Transmission Transfer Case Differential Lockup Solenoid Short Circuit to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test G . P1865 Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate Power Short to Ground GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1866 Transmission Transfer Case System Concern - Servicing Required GEM CARRY OUT the electronic shift function test. REFER to Function Test - Electronic Shift in this section. P1867 Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate General Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1876 Transmission Transfer Case 2-Wheel Drive Solenoid Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test G . P1877 Transmission Transfer Case 2-Wheel Drive Solenoid Circuit Short to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test G . - For All Other DTCs GEM GO to Section 419-10 .
Your best bet , take it to a qualified repair shop that has the diagnostic tool to trouble shoot .
Principles of Operation
Transfer Case - Electronic Shift
The four-wheel drive, electronic shift-on-the-fly feature electrically shifts the vehicle transfer case between 2WD, 4X4 HIGH, and 4X4 LOW. The system mode is selected by the operator through the mode select switch (MSS) on the instrument panel. The operator is informed which mode the system is in by two instrument cluster indicators, one for 4X4 HIGH which is 4X4, and one for 4X4 LOW which is LOW RANGE (in 4X4 LOW both the lamps are on). Shifts into 4X4 HIGH can be made at any speed. When shifting into 4X4 HIGH with the vehicle stationary, tooth blockage may occur, preventing shift completion. When the vehicle is driven above 8 km/h (5mph) the shift will complete. When shifting in or out of 4X4 LOW, the generic electronic module (GEM) requires that the vehicle speed be less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the brake pedal be applied, and the transmission in NEUTRAL (automatic transmission) or the clutch pedal be depressed (manual transmission). (The digital transmission range [TR] sensor informs the GEM when the automatic transmission is in the NEUTRAL range position.)
The gearmotor encoder assembly is mounted externally on the transfer case. It drives a rotary cam which moves the mode fork and the range fork within the transfer case between the 4X4 HIGH, 4X4 LOW, and 2WD range positions.
The GEM uses two relays to control the gearmotor encoder assembly shift between 4X4 HIGH, 4X4 LOW, and 2WD modes. The GEM controls the pulse vacuum hublock (PVH) solenoid which supplies engagement and disengagement vacuum to control the hublocks.
The GEM accomplishes shifts by interpreting inputs from:

• mode select switch (MSS)
• vehicle speed signal (transmitted from the ABS system)
• gearmotor encoder plate position
• brake pedal switch
• digital transmission range (TR) sensor (automatic transmission)
• clutch pedal position (CPP) switch (manual transmission)
• ignition switch

Based on these inputs, the GEM controls the shifts into 2WD, 4X4 HIGH, or 4X4 LOW with the following outputs:

• low to high relay (clockwise)
• high to low relay (counterclockwise)
• pulse vacuum hublock (PVH) solenoid
• gearmotor encoder assembly

The electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) system has a feature which allows the driver to override the vacuum operated hublocks. When the front hublocks are manually turned to the LOCK position, the hublocks are locked at all times, overriding the vacuum operated system. If the front hublocks are manually turned to the AUTO position, the hublocks can only be locked by turning the MSS to 4X4 HIGH or 4X4 LOW position.

Disconnect shift cable from transmission linkage and try to manually put transmission in drive gear ( make sure wheels chocked/park brake on ). If transmission goes into drive gear, suspect a shift cable or shifter assembly problem. If you can't manually shift into drive gear by hand with cable disconnected, suspect internal transmission/shift linkage issue

i take it is a automatic check gearbox transmission fluid or the torque converter may be at fault

If the transmission will not move the car forward in Drive, check fluid level, fluid condition, transmission filter, and linkage adjustment.
If the transmission will move the car forward in Drive but will not shift out of First Gear, the shift governor has failed.

Tons of possibilities here (transmission, differential, motor mounts, transmission mounts....), so I'll ask some debug questions to help narrow it down. Does it make the noise when shifting into reverse? Also, does it make the noise only when shifting from park, or also when shifting from neutral (into drive or into reverse)? Did the noise start as an occasional, softer noise and get worse over time, or did it start suddenly? Does the vehicle lurch at the same time as the noise? What happens when you go from Reverse to Drive, or vice versa? Has any work been done recently (brakes, tires, alignment, suspension, transmission)?

Transfer Case - Electronic Shift on the Fly (ESOF) Features A rotary switch allows the vehicle operator to choose between 2WD, 4H, and 4L modes of 4x4 operation.
The generic electronic module (GEM) controls the operation of the 4x4 system.
The output shaft speed (OSS), mounted in the rear of the transfer case, informs the GEM of the vehicle speed.
The shift motor sense plate, an integral part of the electronic shift motor, informs the GEM to the positions of the transfer case (go to Table 4).
The transmission range sensor is located on the LH side of the transmission; this sensor informs the GEM when the transmission is in the NEUTRAL position.
The electronic shift motor, mounted externally at the rear of the transfer case, drives a rotary cam which moves the mode fork and range fork within the transfer case to select between the 2WD, 4H, and 4L positions.
The 4x4/4x2 vacuum solenoids are attached to the upper RH side of the engine compartment, and alternately route vacuum to the vacuum motor which engages/disengages the center axle disconnect collar in the front axle assembly.
The 4x4 shift motor relay is a module containing two relays. Under the control of the GEM, the 4x4 shift motor relay shifts the transfer case shift motor between the 2WD, 4H, and 4L modes.
The transfer case clutch relay is an electromechanical relay used to activate the transfer case clutch within the transfer case.


Your best bet , take it to a qualified repair shop !

P1804 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive High Indicator Circuit Failure GEM REFER to Section 413-01A . P1806 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive High Indicator Short Circuit to Battery GEM REFER to Section 413-01A . P1812 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive Mode Select Circuit Failure GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart. P1815 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive Mode Select Short Circuit to Ground GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart. P1820 Transmission Transfer Case Clockwise Shift Relay Coil Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test A . P1822 Transmission Transfer Case Clockwise Shift Relay Coil Short Circuit to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test A . P1824 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive Clutch Relay Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1826 Transmission 4-Wheel Drive Low Clutch Relay Short Circuit to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test E . P1828 Transmission Transfer Case Counter Clockwise Shift Relay Coil Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test A . P1830 Transmission Transfer Case Counter Clockwise Shift Relay Coil Short Circuit to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test A . P1832 Transmission Transfer Case Differential Lock-Up Solenoid Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test C . P1834 Transmission Transfer Case Differential Lock-Up Solenoid Short Circuit to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test C . P1838 Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor Circuit Failure GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart. P1846 Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate 'A' Circuit Failure GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart. P1850 Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate 'B' Circuit Failure GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart. P1854 Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate 'C' Circuit Failure GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart. P1858 Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate 'D' Circuit Failure GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart. P1866 Transmission Transfer Case System Concern - Servicing Required GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart. P1867 Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate General Circuit Failure GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart. P1876 Transmission Transfer Case 2-Wheel Drive Solenoid Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test C . P1877 Transmission Transfer Case 2-Wheel Drive Solenoid Circuit Short to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test C . P1891 Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate Ground Return Open Circuit GEM REFER to the Symptom Chart.

check the transmission fluid could be low, or try shifting to overdrive manually

orbital clutches slipping , needs stripping

kick down cable perhaps?