Mitsubishi Repair: transmission problem, transmission problem, suddently

Question
Hi, I have a 95 Eclipse RS automatic and it has been acting up latetly. When I am going foward after the motor has been warmed up at any speed, tha car suddently moves vigourisly for a sec and it shifted by itself to 2nd gear and remains there, I have turned it off and turned back on again fixes the problem, but again the more I drive the more it happens. Also goes into neutral and I have tried to find the way to fix it momentarily but failed, even qhen I turn it off and back on again the problem remains
please please help. I am a college student and cant afford a 1k $ job on it any help appreciated.

Answer
Paul: Ok, when is the last time you checked the fluid in the transmission? Well when is the last time you had the fluid and the filter changed in the transmission? What color is that fluid? Pink? Is the right color for the fluid. Pink with a bit of brown in it or all brown? All brown would not be good but if there is no burnt smell to it then that would be a good thing too. The burnt smell would mean that your car has been burning the clutches in the transmission not good. So then go out and get that fluid, the filter and add a bit of transmission conditioner to  add to the transmission as you or a shop changes it. I always says go with the easy things first and as long as you are a college student, good place to start. Oh the college you go to, doesn't have a course on cars does it? As you might get them to change the fluid, filter and add that conitioner for you there at the college; I believe they only would charge you for parts or fluid in your case. Other wise call around and find a shop that will do this for not alot of money. Or take the car home and maybe you can get your folks to help you with the cost. You let this go and your transmission will go. As to be replaced. You should have the car coded as to find out what the computer is doing in all this and why it is locking the car into second gear. The fact that it is shifting hard, the changing the fluid, filter and adding that conditioner to the transmission might fix the problem. As long as this has not been going on to long. So start there, if that does not fix the problem though it might for a bit, you might think of trading the car off or getting that computer coded. I am sorry to say but those transmissions are very hard to find the problem sometimes, the computer controls that transmission with all kinds of sensors so you could have a sensors going bad too. Still the fluid would be a good place to start and not a very costly one. I am think maybe around $40.00 for the fluid, filter and that conitioner can get bought at any parts store. If you do this yourself, you will need tools, jack stands and need to buy a repair manual for your car, they cost around $20.00 at any parts store; and very much worth the money. Hope this helps and God bless: Linda