Auto transmission does not shift into 1st gear properly

hello lisa
the a/t and m/t are different (auto and stick shifted)
but its here, posted vast time.s
see 91 full set, (sold my 91 back in 2010)'
http://www.fixkick.com/schematics-run.html

the starter failure page is here, fully covered
all tests
http://www.fixkick.com/nocrank.html

see diagram at bottom of page. link2

automatic? trans? a/t
no year car (wow)! not IS A CHALLENGE!
no name car what is jlx?.
a vitara or sidekick both have JLX bodys.
check levels by the book. ATF oil.?
if car is 1992 and newer those cars had 2 a/t transmission choices
3sp pure hydramatic. Th180 3L30 with TCC lockup solenoid
4sp electronic shift trans. that has shift solenoids. 03-72LE

what does wont shift mean?
up or down shift.?
no up shift, or means its stuck in 1st gear
try to add full symptoms, as a/t are complex devices.

here is a page that covers all on car check both

levels
stall test
line pressure test
new filter?
solenoids tests, up to 4 checks

they are inside the box on 99.9% all cars
drop pan see VB bingo the VB they are.
http://www.fixkick.com/slush-pump.html

Der' 4 speed. solenoids for sure.

Replace your clutch, it is slipping

please post year, for best help, please.
ok, its a real Samurai or Sammy with kick engine, (so common latter)
I will answer for real Suzuki Sidekick.
the car came in many forms. 4wd, 2wd a, 3sp, 4sp and 5sp M/T
sold in all permutations.
but since you used the any gear, word.
ill roll dice on A/T automatic transmission, my 3 cars are all M/T.

The A/T. will not 3sp chase many ways to not shift. its 100% mech.
and all you can do is check levels.
the A./T 4speed, is electronic shifted, (know it well) and the TCM
shifts car no matter what. and has scan codes to tell you what is wrong, and has limphome mode to still shift and skips 1 gear.
the M/T 5speed, has a bad shifter tip plastic, if it cant shift.
if you force it in to 1st (ask how) and car dont mover, the clutch is bad.
ask how to go father, we can easy.

CLICK drive train here.
http://www.fixkick.com/index.html


bingo huh?

wrong engines. the 1991 never had a 1.8L until 1996.
fact. and dont matter. (unless year is wrong)
1991 answers ONLY!
no matter, the 1991 in the 2 door version (is it?) had a 3speed
transmission, used back in 1970s,, a pure mech. design.
the 4 doors have 4speed that is electronically shifted.

the 3L30 is a relic, and can slip.
id say its bad.
the FSM covers this.
1: both stall tests fail. (sure)
2: you crossfingers for new filter and full flush and fails. sure.
3: you check pump pressure and?????

the on car (in-car) checks are in the FSM.
nice page here.

http://www.fixkick.com/slush-pump.html#3L30

slips is bad
stuck in 1st gear, hope happens.

I would take it back to the mechanic, sounds like he might have just painted the old one. Hopefully they changed the throwout bearing too.

try a full flush and filter.
hot ATF fluild flows more easy thru clogged filter.
or bad vac modulator or governor or its tiny filters.

you need a AT expert , if the flush dont work.
there are many on car tests.

You may have a broken synchro

Check the cable clearance. Too much clearance will cause clutch slippage or total clutch disengagement. Adjust the cable so that the clutch pedal will be hard to press by hand .5 to .75 inch from its initial point.

if you drive the car with the shifter in d1 and while driving down the road move the shifter to up shift the foward gears individually if the rpms drop every time you up shift you know your trans shifted if this allows you to go through all gears you have an ecu problem if the car still doesnt shift you have a trans problem and would need to take the car to a transmission shop