Chrysler Repair: TRANSMISSION, chrysler cirrus, electronic control unit

Question
I HAVE A 95 CHRYSLER CIRRUS AUTO.
EVERYTIME I DRIVE, IT ACTS FINE FOR AWHILE. THEN OUT OF NO WHERE WHEN IM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RPM'S SHOOT OUT THE ROOF AND IM NOT GETTING ANY POWER FROM THE GAS TO THE ENGINE. IT ACTS LIKE THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL. THEN I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF. AFTER WAITING FOR AWHILE I WILL START IT AND IT WORKS FINE. THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TODAY I JUS RELIZE I HAVE NO TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY CAR. THE FUNNY THING IS THERE ARE NEVER ANY PUDDLES UNDER MY CAR AND I JUST FILLED IT UP WITH FLUID ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND NOW ITS EMPTY PLEASE HELP ME ... I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND NOW IT IS DOING THIS TO ME  

Answer
Hi Keith,
If you have the V6 engine then you have the electronic transaxle which has what is known as a 'limp in' mode, where when it has a problem (such as too low fluid level causing low internal fluid pressures) it will shift into second gear and stay there. Ideally your problem will be a leaky seal of some sort that can be fixed without having to remove the transmission. I would suggest going to a Chrysler dealer or a transmission shop with a knowledgeable owner who has worked on these units and has a list of clients who you can get a reference from. These units are not for an amateur mechanic. Be sure to get the Chrysler brand of fluid as it seems to be particular about what it drinks. If you don't know any history about the maintenance of the transmission on your car, you might want to have them drain the pan, replace the filter, and refill with Chrysler fluid (in case what you put in so far is not that brand). If they find 'debris' in the pan, that would not be a good sign. While they are about it, you could see how much extra they would charge to query the electronic control unit to see if it has noticed anything wrong with the function other than too low fluid pressure. It might cost another $75-100 for that readout, and the readout is only the starting point for analyzing what might be wrong (other than a leak) as it doesn't pinpoint exactly what repair to do. The bottom line is to get the leak cured for now. I can't explain why it doesn't puddle unless it is such a big leak or that it runs out only when on the road.
Try to solve it now, and try to avoid any further damage requiring a rebuild as that is typically a big ticket repair for this unit.
Roland