1995 Eagle Summit AWD tranny stuck in 3rd

[twrdenver]

I just bought this low mileage, one owner car a week ago because I needed cheap reliable transportation.

Anyway, the Summit (Mitsubishi 2.4L) ran fine for a few days before the check engine light stayed on constantly. The next day, I noticed that it started out strange (3rd gear only) after driving a few miles. I stopped, turned it off and let it sit for a few minutes. After that it shifted fine until yesterday. Yesterday, I ran the A/C full blast (it was hot here in PA) and after 10 minutes or so the automatic 4 speed transmission just stayed in 3rd gear. It started in 3rd and stayed in 3rd, reverse works fine. I tried turning it off for 15 minutes and that didn't help. I'm afraid to drive it for any length of time. I just drove it today for 5 minutes and it worked fine. The trans fluid is full, it is light brown and it smells a little stale. It doesn't smell burnt.

I'm not sure how to check the check engine codes on this model, but I suspect there may be a problem with the trans cooler or a problem with the computer.

Any ideas? Thanks for your input, Tom

 

[JEFFREYCASTGSX]

How did you checj the tranny fluid? When it was on or off? Its supposed to be on.

 

[twrdenver]

The fluid level was checked while the vehicle was running and while hot.

 

[evileclipse909]

Sounds like an electrical problem. Most likely a tcu problem. What your car is doing is staying in "limp" mode where the tcu sees a problem and tells the tranny to stay in 3rd gear which it sees as a safe gear. '95 should be obd2 so you should just be able to go to any local parts store and they should be able to pull the code for you.

 

[twrdenver]

I already tried AutoZone. AutoZone said their OBD2 computer will analyze 1996 and later. They said I would need to find someone with an OBD1 analyzer.

 

[rush2252]

It depends on the build date my 95 hasa and OBDII port. tell them its a 96 see if it will read it. I have ran into the problem that my 95 wont communicate w certain brands of code readers

Kolby