Expert: Kevin Pilotte - 12/29/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I realize my problem isn't specific to your experience.  But it is a general automatic transmission issue.  I have a '92 Eagle Summit wagon.  It has a 4 speed O.D transmission.  It appears to drive in only one gear, never shifts.  I think it's third gear it uses.  It's very slow to accelerate from a dead stop with a lot of hesitation.  However, once you reach 25 mph or so, acceleration is good.  I've  driven 60 mph with no shift and a little higher RPM's (by sound, no tach), sounds like the O.D. should've kicked in but didn't.  Fluid level ok.  No noises.  Just doesn't shift.  Reverse works ok.  Any ideas as to the problem?  Approximate cost of repair?  Tranny need dropped?   Any help would be appreciated.
Answer -
I do not have any experience with Eagle Summits. However if the transmission is computer controlled it sounds like one or both of your shift solenoids might be malfunctioning. You should be able to manually shift the trans from 1 to 2 to Drive. If you can, then you likely have a problem in your solenoids, computer or wiring. Either way, sounds  like it's time to see someone familier with Mitsubishi automatic transmissions. A reman transmission can cost $2500+. Be careful of places like AAMCO, they usually just  overhaul tranmsissions. Yours just might have an electrical condition. Good luck.

Actually, I did try shifting manually from L1, L2, and drive.  All give me the same gear, i believe 3rd gear.  I can put the tranny in L1 and drive 60+ mph!

Answer
My experience is with Toyota's computer controlled transmissions. You could try disconnecting the electrical connections to the transmission, if equiped. That would disable the shift solenoids and they should go into a failsafe posistion. Then try manually shifting the transmission. If you are still unable to shift the trans into different gears, chances are you have a mechanical problem within the transmission or valve body. If you are able to change gears with the wiring disconnected, it's an electrical problem with the solenoids, computer or wiring.
Like I said, this is what I would do with a Toyota trans.
Good luck.
Kevin