Tranny problem

Hello All,
I recently acquired a '91 Fifth Ave with a 3.3lL engine.
On my last trip back in June, I drove it from New York to Illinois with no
trouble.
Thought I would keep it as a winter car (to save my '89 New Yorker which is
in much better condition)
It had been stored in the garage with stabil in the fuel and it starts right
up.

My problem is that it does not shift. It feels like it's stuck in second
gear.
It does not race excessively on my last few test drives. When I drive
45-50mph, and shift from OD - D there is no change. When I drive on manual
1st., it runs the same (up to 45-50 mph) as when it's on OD - D.

Winter is here and I'd like to try to get this vehicle running.
Anyone have any suggestions?
I checked the tranny fluid and its at the proper level and does not smell
burnt.

Thank you in advance.

Jesse

"Jesse" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello All,
> I recently acquired a '91 Fifth Ave with a 3.3lL engine.
> On my last trip back in June, I drove it from New York to Illinois with no
> trouble.
> Thought I would keep it as a winter car (to save my '89 New Yorker which
is
> in much better condition)
> It had been stored in the garage with stabil in the fuel and it starts
right
> up.
>
> My problem is that it does not shift. It feels like it's stuck in second
> gear.

The transmission has gone into "limp mode", read up on the subject:

http://www.autotransinc.com/limp.htm

"Jesse" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello All,
> I recently acquired a '91 Fifth Ave with a 3.3lL engine.
> On my last trip back in June, I drove it from New York to Illinois with no
> trouble.
> Thought I would keep it as a winter car (to save my '89 New Yorker which
is
> in much better condition)
> It had been stored in the garage with stabil in the fuel and it starts
right
> up.
>
> My problem is that it does not shift. It feels like it's stuck in second
> gear.

The transmission has gone into "limp mode", read up on the subject:

http://www.autotransinc.com/limp.htm

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004, Jesse wrote:

> I recently acquired a '91 Fifth Ave with a 3.3lL engine.

Oof.

> My problem is that it does not shift. It feels like it's stuck in second
> gear.

It is. That is the transmission's "limp-home" (fault) mode, designed to
get you to the nearest repair facility instead of stranding you on the
spot when the transmission has a problem. This was a foolish feature for
Chrysler to have included on the transmission, for it causes people to
keep driving and driving and driving when the transmission has a problem.
This 2nd-gear-only mode places extreme stress on the transmission, and so
frequently what started as a minor problem becomes a major and expensive
one in relatively short order.

> It does not race excessively on my last few test drives. When I drive
> 45-50mph, and shift from OD - D there is no change. When I drive on
> manual 1st., it runs the same (up to 45-50 mph) as when it's on OD - D.

STOP DRIVING IT! Get it in to a competent transmission diagnostician. The
problem could be as simple as a faulty electrical connection or a bad
speed sensor.

DS

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004, Jesse wrote:

> I recently acquired a '91 Fifth Ave with a 3.3lL engine.

Oof.

> My problem is that it does not shift. It feels like it's stuck in second
> gear.

It is. That is the transmission's "limp-home" (fault) mode, designed to
get you to the nearest repair facility instead of stranding you on the
spot when the transmission has a problem. This was a foolish feature for
Chrysler to have included on the transmission, for it causes people to
keep driving and driving and driving when the transmission has a problem.
This 2nd-gear-only mode places extreme stress on the transmission, and so
frequently what started as a minor problem becomes a major and expensive
one in relatively short order.

> It does not race excessively on my last few test drives. When I drive
> 45-50mph, and shift from OD - D there is no change. When I drive on
> manual 1st., it runs the same (up to 45-50 mph) as when it's on OD - D.

STOP DRIVING IT! Get it in to a competent transmission diagnostician. The
problem could be as simple as a faulty electrical connection or a bad
speed sensor.

DS