In Drive, never shifts out of 2nd (4k rpm @65 mph) with OD off - NO OD.
Has 2nd gear braking (when manually shifted to 2nd)
Replaced OD servo and ensured engagement in OD band, no clips broken, 2-3 accumulator looked OK, valve body valves move - when pressed against springs.
Do any Solenoids control shift to 3rd?

 

Might be a silly thing, but did you check to make sure it is actually in D and not the indicator going to 2?

 

Yes, I even tried sneaking the shifter toward N to see if there was anther position, while going 65mph.
When cruising, moving to position 2 does nothing to RPM, except cause engine braking when throttle lifted,
vs engine RPM dropping, as it coasts, when in D and lift the throttle.
Rather than 1-2 shift seen in postion D - It also seems to start in 2nd when starting out with shifter in position 2
(Or of course starts and stays in 1st if in Position 1, and can be down shifted to 1st when slowing down).

 

If it's not shifting at all then it sounds like an electrical problem.

You're not getting any codes for this? I bet if you get a good scanner hooked up to it then you'll find something that might give you better direction than a bunch of people trying to guess on the internet.

D

 

OK thanks D,
Can someone recommend what minimum model scanner I can buy - that can go to the P1700 range?
Do I need one that says - Professional OBD2 or OBD11 scanner (50, 80, or 120 dollar models)?

 

I recommend: ACTRON ACTCP9670 -- Reads Enhanced Engine, Transmission and ABS Codes

 

I got a P1780 Transmission Control Switch Circuit is Out of Self-Test Range
Using an INNOVA Digital Can OBD2 & 1 Tool

 

There you go. I'd be replacing the MLPS, or neutral safety switch as many call it.

D

 

I am sure that I checked that all the connectors were seated on the cable to the solenoids

 

False error, when I manually exercised the OD switch during the KOER test - no Codes detected
INNOVA 3120 model scanner

 

MLPS:

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....sn=544&jsn=544

 

If it's not the MLPS then I'm strongly suspecting the vehicle computer.

But, again, this is nearly impossible from my keyboard in my recliner. I'm really good at figuring it out when I have the vehicle. Under these conditions, all we can do is guess.

D

 

Thank guys, I ordered a new MLP switch. I'll post the results after installed (delivery due Feb 7) - just in case resistance has drifted.
I doubt if it causes the OD to connect to an open condition (like neutral) - not a symptom reported as solved by MLPS resistance drift; but I may get 3rd gear back.

FYI,
Last year I changed the Plugs (lots of PB Blaster in process) no longer misfiring - now no CEL and no DTC records found
Before failing there was no indication of problems
The vehicle drove normally until exiting the highway last Monday, and could not fully leave the intersection at the light at the bottom of the off ramp (due loss of connection at 20 mph)

 

I'm sorry. I must have missed where you said earlier that it shifted into neutral instead of OD and can't seem to find where it was mentioned here until now.

It's hard enough to try and diagnose long distance. It gets really, REALLY hard (basically impossible) when all the symptoms aren't clear.

Never shifting out of 2nd, which is what I see that your complaint is here, is VERY different from going neutral when it's supposed to shift into any other gear.

D

 

Here is a longer explanation of the symptoms - still not a full story.
When in D, It starts out in 1st, then at 19 or 21 mph the engine revs up and the car coasts with no forward thrust - will engage if OD is disabled.
That speed is when it would normally shift to second, or soon after shifting into 2nd, and where the OD is designed to kick in under less that 25% throttle or something like that.
At 3/4 throttle I found that in D (OD enabled) it starts out in 1st shifts to second at some point and around 40 or 42 mph the engine revs and the car looses all forward thrust.
At WOT I ran up to 65 mph without loosing forward thrust, still in 2nd gear - a little over 4k RPM and then I stopped accelerating (max speed at rush hour traffic).

I may go out later - with less traffic to see if it shifts to 3rd at WOT (don't plan to see if it will go into OD at WOT) (don't even know if the transmission will engage OD at WOT).
Update
With less traffic - at WOT in D (OD not disabled) it got to about 80 mph and still did not shift to 3rd ~5k RPMs

Jim