Chrysler Repair: 92 Le Baron: electronic trans. only has 1 forward gear (2nd), fuse panel, chrysler dealer

Question
Hi Roland, I just bought a 1992 Le Baron V6 at a local police auction but when I drove it the transmision won't shift, when I put it in D stays in first gear, it will go into reverse, neutral and park with no problem but no more, it has L1 3 D with a circle around the D in the shifter. Is there anything you can help with It will be really aprecciated.
Thanks  

Answer
Hi German,
The Trans is in "limp-in mode" which the Trans controller invokes when it sense a fault which could produce more damage if the Trans can use all 4 speeds. You need to drive it to either a Chrysler dealer or an independent (non-franchise) Trans shop that has a diagnostic readout box for the OBD-I system that is capable of accessing the Trans controller memory via a 6-pin bus diagnostic connector which is located behind the fuse panel door at the lower left end of the dash. Get all the two digit fault code numbers, what they mean, what could be the repair possibilities and how much it would cost for the various possibilities. Write me back with those results and we'll compare what you learned to what my '92 Trans manual says about those code numbers. Take your time, a rebuild is expensive and may not be required. They might even apply the cost of the readout to the repair if you authorize them to do the job (ask about that). But don't jump into it without a second opinion. It could be electrical or hydraulic and not mechanical and thus avoid removing the Trans for a rebuild.
You can reach me by the "rate the expert" tab's comments section.