It is very interesting - I have EXACTLY the same problem. I have a 2001 reg 2.3 Ghia petrol and this fault appeared from nowhere in the sense that there was no hint of any problem at all except my car was stood for two months on my drive without being used while I was abroad. During the same period, my windscreen wipers seized with corrosion - I finally freed them with penetrating oil and brute force PLUS the air-conditioning compressor refused to move - either seized internally or pulley rusted I suspect. I am located in Sussex so no harsh weather conditions that I was aware of. Warning light on dashboard confirms fault in transmission but after two weeks in local Ford dealer, computer anaysis and manual fault-finding found no clues to problem. Now car is with regional auto transmission specialist who hasn't immediately found problem but is passing on message via dealer that it is central control module that needs replacement - sounding expensive! Personally, I am convinced that there is a simple bad electrical connection somewhere from one of the many sensors due to corrosion - it won't change gear because it can't see a speed or other condition that says change up or change down. Not sure if this helps or not? David
