recently bought a 97 escort wagon, the transmission shifts from first to second just fine but it will not go into drive?? could this be a filter or speed sensor??

 

Since this is a computer shifted controled tranmission several things could be wrong the best thing to do would be to put a scanner on it to see if all inputs and outputs are working correctly and that the computer is telling it to shift or not. Also with scanner connected check for codes ot DTC's on the transmission side. Problems could be faulty shift solenoids, clucthes bad, or other internal problems.

Good luck and let us know how you made out.