older villagers have a problem with the transaxles valve body which causes a hard second gear-there are aftermarket shift kits that remedy this problem,needing to be installed by a competent transmission shop.I have been rebuilding Ford automatics for twenty years and have seen this problem several times-used to have to buy a different valve body because of premature wear on shift valve bores,but the shift kits repair the problem rather well.contact your transmission specialist before it damages the 2-4 band or breaks hard parts.
There are a couple of reasons why a 1993 Mercury Villager is hard to shift. One reason could be a gear shift cable. Another reason could be low transmission fluid.
You must remove the instrument cluster to do so.
If it's in limp-in mode you need to take it to a transmission shop and have it diagnosed.
There is no way to change gear ratios.
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The transmission is controled by the computer. If it will not shift, there is a problem. There is no (vacuum) modulator. Take the car to a dealer or a good transmission shop. Be prepared to have it rebuilt or replaced.
Concole
Take it to a trusted transmission expert ASAP. You have a serious transmission problem. Continuing to drive the car may do irreparable damage.
Probably the shift linkage in that model.
you need a new transmission
These parts are probably not available new any more. You'll have to get them from a salvage yard.
It is in limp mode because there is a serious failure in either the transmission or the control module.