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Posted on Apr 19, 2010
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Starts out in 3rd gear - 1994 Oldsmobile 88

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Harvey N Tawatao

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  • Oldsmobile Master 3,854 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 19, 2010
Harvey N Tawatao
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Joined: Apr 05, 2009
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Trans shifts into gear harshly, car feels sluggish off the line, No 1st, 4th or TCC lockup available, Manual 2nd, 3rd and Reverse are only available gears, CEL is on: Transmision is either in limp-home mode or has lost electrical power. If there are lots of error codes in the PCM, check the underhood fuse that powers the transmission, and if it pops again, look for a short in that circuit like an O2 sensor harness touching exhaust. Otherwise, check PCM codes for a particular fault in the transmission causing the PCM to put it in limp-home mode.
What is "limp-home mode" ? This is a fault mode in which the transmission either loses electrical power or the PCM deactivates all of the electronics. The transmission will default to max line pressure. The driver will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter). 1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available. It will not hurt the car to drive it like this for short periods, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving, and be aware that the trans will generate more heat than normal while operating in limp-home mode due to increased torque converter slippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear.
Before guessing at transmission problems, check the fluid level (car warmed up, engine running in Park on level ground) and have the PCM scanned for trouble codes FIRST. This guide is meant for problems that do not show up as PCM codes (like shift A&B solenoid failures, for example).
Thank you for using fixya and good luck

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You can get some information on this link: https://www.jeepgarage.org/threads/stuck-on-3rd-gear.9941/
Also get yourself a tester. I bought a 'BlueDriver'. It's blue tooth enabled so you can plug it into your car and run the test from your iPhone or others. You can also clear all the codes. Your Jeep s/b new enough that it'd work; worked on my '04 Ion.
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automatic transmission?
we can not guess your skills
the question is how a tech can fix it not you, you have no tools
real.
what means 3RE? (why the RE there)"
ok typo day, 3RD (D is below E) got it.
now and answer and told here 10000 times and googled 1million times. or more
check all fuses
then scan the PCm (TCM) for DTC errors then we look them up in the real service manual and amazing it tells you what to do next
as in LOTS more tests with meters and gauges.
stuck in 3rd gear means what.?

  1. shift lever stuck (as in will no move.
  2. in drive, car starts off in 3rd gear, now that be rare. but possible.
  3. in reverse cars goes forward but in 3rd gear.
  4. or coasting the transmission never goes below 3rd gear called engine transmission natural braking actions and auto downshift features. happens foot off gas pedal.
  5. or means overdrive or TCC lockup failing?
A/t boxes do lots of things, even wrong, but not told clearly here.
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On my 2000 dodge ram 1500 transmiton starts out in 1st will not shift in 2nd will jump in to 3rd when you get the speed up fast enough, or will start out in 3rd and goto OD fine

Hello,
problem is from the gear box. The gear box has developed a fault and that is why it
starts out in 1st will not shift in 2nd will jump in to 3rd . Also, have your gear oil check to be sure it is not short.
You need to take the Dodge to your mechanic before the problem gets worse. This is not a DIY (do it yourself) job.
If you don't take it to your mechanic on time, you might end up damaging the gear box which is expensive to replace. It is still repairable for now.

I hope the above is clear.

Regards.
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Transmision starts out in 1st shifts to 2nd then third but will not shift into overdrive , but once it reaches 3rd gear ,it stays there when you come to a stop . after that it will only shift manually...

Sounds like your transmission is in limp mode. This is a fault mode in which the transmission either loses electrical power or the PCM deactivates all of the electronics. The transmission will default to max line pressure. The driver will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter). 1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available. It will not hurt the car to drive it like this for short periods, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving, and be aware that the trans will generate more heat than normal while operating in limp-home mode due to increased torque converter slippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear.

The other from what you described, trans shifts 2nd to 3rd by itself in D or OD and locks the converter : ShiftA solenoid failed. Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.

Thank you for using fixya and have your Safari scanned for the DTC codes that would indicate what issues your transmission is having to put you in to limp mode.
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The car is a manual tranny car, your synchromesh gear is not engaging properly, take to a tranny shop to check it as a bearing may be out in 3rd gear.
Hope it resove your query.
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It is an internal trans problem. I build transmissions for a GM dealer. It is going to be the input carrier, forward sprag, and 3rd/4th clutches. I have seen several. Get it to your dealer. That truck has a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. That includes the trans. Good Luck.
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