Chrysler Repair: 92 Dodge Dynasty: trans wont shift out of 2nd, dodge dynasty, franchise type

Question
I was taking  my  wife to work one morning and i noticed that the car wont shift out of second gear. It never done that before. I know its second gear because i can go up to 40 miles per hour before i literally hear the winding of the transmission. Then later on that day i  started the car and drove it around the block and the transmission worked fine. Could it be the fluid in the transmission is the wrong type or that the trans is trash?

Answer
Hi Jerroll,
What you are experiencing is called 'limp-in' mode where when the transmission notices an internal problem it limits itself to running only in 2nd gear to prevent any damage.
It could be the fluid is low, so check that first, and if any needs to be added only use type ATF+4.
If it continues to limp, then I would go to an independent non-franchise type of trans shop and have them do a readout of the trans control module for any fault code numbers that are stored in the memory. Those are accessible from a data link connector behind the dash near the fuse box which has a double row of three pins on a side and is blue in color and requires a reader that is capable of interacting with the trans control to get the numbers.
Ask what the number mean and what they recommend doing. Then write back with the numbers and results and we can compare that to what '92 trans manual I have says they might mean.
These trans have a finite life before re-build is necessary, but don't jump to any conclusions without the readout. You can also go to a Chrysler dealer, but the charge for the readout will likely be higher as will the repair costs. You might ask the independent shop to credit the cost of the readout if you go with them for any repair.

Roland