If it jerks then dies, it could be the lockup torque converter is stuck and whenever you put it in drive it's "direct drive" without the advantage of a torque converter. That only applies if the engine is running well and there are no other symptoms. As always, check for a computer diagnostic code using a code scanner.
Have a 2000 Mercury cougar stick shift looking for the dipstick for the transmission do you know where it may be located thank you for your help.
you need a new transmission
On a 1997 Mercury Cougar, the parking brake release mechanism is typically located near the center console, just below the gear shift. It can usually be found as a lever or a button that you press to release the parking brake. If you're having difficulty locating it, consult the owner's manual for specific details and diagrams.
On a 1999 Mercury Cougar : Overdrive is the normally allowed position ( it won't shift into overdrive until the speed is faster anyway ) If you find that the transmission is frequently shifting between overdrive and drive ( such as hilly roads ) then it is best to use the transaxle ( transmission ) control switch on the side of your gear shifter to shut off the overdrive ( O/D OFF will appear in your gauge cluster )
Press CTRL+SHIFT+E
The cable/linkage between the shift lever and transmission is likely broken or disconnected
You press the clutch, and shift gears. There are great instructional videos on youtube.
on yours shift knob that's when u shift from Park to drive in the center is a button when u press it once it its telling you that the over drive is either On or Off so all you have to do is press it again to get it in Overdrive or not in Over Drive
__________(█) _______██████ _____ ████████ ___███████████ ___ (░░░░░░░)░░░) ___(░(░█░░█░)░░░) __ (░░(░░●░░░)░░░) __ (░░░░◡░░)░░░░) _██(░░░░░░░░░░)██ _███(░░░░░░░░░)███ ████ ██(░░░)██ ████ ████ █████████ ███ ████ ████░████ ███ (░░)_ ▓▓▓▓▌▓▐▓▓▓_(░░) (██) ███████████ (██) _____█████░█████_▓▓▓\ _____█████-,█████▓▓▓▓▓) _____█████-,█████▓▓▓▓▓) ___(░░░░░░)(░░░░░) ▓▓▓▓) ______(███)_(███)▓▓▓▓▓▓) ____ (████)_(████)▓▓▓▓▓)
Check the shift unlock solenoid. The solenoid is known to go bad and cause this issue in a tracer.
Because to press a button to shift a button is like pressing shift to press hard.
1994 mark viii wont shift into 3rd