Intrepid Tranny stuck in first

My 98 Intrepid 3.3L w/4 speed automatic trans. will not shift out of
first gear. Even if I run the shifter through L, 3, and finally D, the
tranny remains in first. At least I think it is first gear. Basically,
after I reverse out of the driveway and put it in drive, I do not hear
any shift changes. The car will do about 80 km/hour at about 4000 rpm.

The car sat in the driveway for approx. 4-6 weeks without being started
or driven while I was chasing down some electrical problems I was
having. The transmission worked fine before I had the electrical problem
(broken wire from fuel pump relay to PCM)

The tranny fluid level is ok, and there is no check engine light. When I
turn the key on,off,on,off,on I get a code 12 and a code 55.

Could not driving the car for 4 to 6 week cause something in the tranny
to seize? Or is it possible I have another broken wire going to the pcm?

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Mike

 

I assume you mean '97 or less Intrepid 3.3L. You are probably experienceing
"limp home mode" which sets the transmission to 2nd gear when a transmission
fault is detected. Basically, the transmission isn't sure that it can shift
properly, so it locks in 2nd gear so you can operate the car even though it
can't shift. A common cause of this is a faulty transmission speed sensor.
Unfortunately your engine light flash codes aren't telling enough
information about what your problem is.

 

Yes Greg, you're correct, the car is a 94 Intrepid. I don't know where I
got 98 from?
Your description sounds very accurate of what is occurring. I'll take
this to the Dodge dealer and let them check it out. It's getting too
cold for me to work on the car this year anymore.

Besides, it's the wife's car, and she's getting pee'd off at me for
taking 4 weeks to getting around to fix the electrical problems.

Mike

 

Are your speedometer and tachometer both working?

 

Yes, Greg. Both the tach and speedo are functioning.

I also found out the code 12 means the battery was recently
disconnected, and code 55 I believe means end of test. So those two
codes shouldnt affect the trans.

Mike

 

Loose main connector to the trans, loose connector to either the input
or output speed sensors to the trans.

How many miles on the trans and when was it last serviced.

 

That means it's the input speed sensor that's bad. $20 and less than 20
minutes of your time (even for a first timer) underneath the car would
put it right vs. whatever the dealer will charge you.

Takes a 1" socket (deep well would be best since my normal length 1"
barely was long enough to grip the hex - a different brand might be even
shorter and not quite reach).

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Also, while you were working on your car earlier, perhaps a connection came
loose? You might want to check for this too.