Have a 94 Ford Escort LX Sedan with 111,000 miles on it.
Been working fine. Driving home from work, I turned on the head lights and after I did that, it seemed like the car didn't want to shift and has slow acceleration. Not saying that turning on the lights had anything to do with it, but it all seemed to happen right after.

Seems like the car is stuck in second or third and won't shift. Drove home and realized that as I was backing up, the lights in back are not working now.

The lights that are not working are the back up lights. Brake lights, head lights, all other lights are fine. The back up lights worked yesterday and earlier today. I put the car in reverse to back up and park and noticed that they weren't working. Fuse?
Could it be a fuse in making the car not want to shift?

The car is an automatic.

Any help would be appreciated, please.

Thanks.

Kathy

 

...I believe your car has a fuse box under the hood ,on top ofthe left side fender well.These are the main circuit fuses for the car...and you have an additional fuse block on the lower left side of the dash board.I'd be surprised to find it's a fuse....but could be.As you describe it,the problem seemed to begin with your putting on the headlights...is your headlight switch part of the turn signal wand?If so ,begin there...I would'nt be surprised to find a wiring problem in the steering column area.This can be rather laborious in tracking down,so you may need help....but check your fuses first,they're the easiest place to begin....