Chrysler Repair: 98 Cirrus: wont shift, no speedometer, transmission controller, independent shop

Question
I have a problem sometimes my car won't shift out of 1st and I look at the indicator on the dash and all of the positions are lit up and just yesterday my speedometer quit working. Can the speed sensor cause this?

Answer
The failure to upshift (actually from 2nd gear not 1st) is called limp-in mode. It can be caused by many things including the failure of the output speed sensor on the transmission. Probably the most economicl approach would be to get a readout of the transmission controller for any fault codes stored in its memory. Autozone parts stores will often do that for free, or an independent shop willc charge around $40. Get the four digit fault code number(s), what they mean, what they suggest doing, and what is the cost. Then write back and we can compare to the shop manual for that code number. Code P0720 is for a fault speed sensor circuit, but others may implicate that as well. The sensor is easy to replace, just unscrew and screw, tightening about the same as a spark plug. Lift tab on electrical connector gently so as not to damage it. It is located on the side of the transmission that faces the front of the car, very near the end of the transmission.
Roland