I have a 1998 F-150 4.2 automatic with a 120,000 miles. When I shift my truck from park to drive, it will not engage first gear right away. When I press the gas, it will just sit and rev up. It will slowly roll just from the idle. After about 30 seconds of giving it some light revs, it will engage gear. All of the other gears shift fine. It seems to get worse when it sits for a day or longer. My brother said it could be a vacuum leak, but I have not found one. I checked the trans fluid, its full and does not smell burnt. The dealership also said the fluid was fine when I took it in for the recall on the gas tank straps. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to trash my truck my driving it like this.

 

any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance

 

Are you just putting it in drive? Does it do it if you drop it into a lower gear with the gear shift selector? Is the OD light blinking (or has it blinked)? Is the gear selector indicator right on target? Or are you having to jiggle it a little?

 

It does it when I put it into first or second gear also. The selector is right on. I cleaned the throttle body, IAC, MAF sensor, checked for vacuum leaks. I am at a loss....