2014 transit connect won’t shift into gear or engage

[Joeshmoe]

Not my vehicle but from what I’m told:

 

My grandma drove to a restaurant and parked, went in. Came out, backed up in reverse. Tried to shift into drive but it wouldn’t work. A stranger had her put it into neutral and helped push her into a parking space. 
 

The shifter moves and the display indicates that it’s shifting (with the exception of S for sport mode, it doesn’t light up). But it’s clearly not actually shifting or engaging. There is no thud (or whatever word you want to use to describe it) that would normally happen when you shift from park into drive or whatever. 
 

so what’s the issue?  I don’t feel like it’s the shifter bushing issue. I’ve fixed that before and it’s still connected to the arm anyway. And the shifter and arm it connects to are moving when I move the shifter inside the transit. But like I said, no engagement. 
 

would it be a transmission shifter solenoid? Or a bad transmission control module (TCM)?

 

I just want to have an idea so some shop doesn’t try to sell my grandma a transmission she might not need. 
 

any info or advice would be appreciated

 

*Edited to add: it’s a 6 speed automatic I believe. I think that’s the 6F35 transmission but I’m not sure

Edited December 9, 2022 by Joeshmoe

[G B L]

First get the fluid level checked and run a scan.  Then the diagnosis will begin.

[High Mileage Jim]

Check recall 18S20.  That’s exactly how mine acted when the bushing was bad