QuestionI have a 92 mirage, 1.5L, auto transmision with overdrive. Its fixed in third gear. Cottman transmission completely rebuilt the transmission. Gripe still there. They replaced the transmission control unit 3x, neutral safety switch, various sensors, and it still fails.
There is no check engine light.
AnswerGreg,
Because your transmission is totally controlled by the TCU and not the engine control unit (ECU), your check engine light most likey would not come on if only your transmission is having the problem. When a transmission is stuck in 3rd gear, that could indicate any number of possible problems. The engineers default the transmission to be stuck in the 3rd gear if something is wrong because 3rd gear is considered an "all-purpose" gear. It will allow your car to begin to move from a dead stop, and will also allow it to maintain a highway speed without ruining your transmission or engine.
The factory service manual indicates just about every presumable cause for your current problem. In my own personal experience, I have had a car that was stuck in 3rd gear. The transmission was repalced 4 times and so was the TCU. The problem turned out to be the electrical harnesses leading from the TCU to the transmission itself. The harness would pull itself out.
I would have the mechanic double, triple, and quadruple check all the electrical connections dealing with the transmission. It may be as simple as a wire that got pulled out of the harness and could be shorted out; which can cause your problem.
Good luck!
