Nissan Repair: transmission wont shift, nissan sentra, forward gear

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1994 Nissan Sentra.  The automatic transmission won't shift out of first gear when I drive.  Could this be a defective speed sensor or something inside of the transmission?

ANSWER: Kim,

The transmission is probably stuck in second as a precaution so the transmission does not hurt itself.  Nissans are cool like that.  The vehicle senses a problem with the transmission and locks itself in second so you can get to where you are going.  I would go by your local Cottman transmission shop and have them do a diagnostic test to see what is going on.  They should do a free inspection to tell you what the problem is and why it is sticking in second.  Your dealer or another shop can do it as well if they have a scanner for Nissan transmissions.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The vehicle isn't stuck in second gear.  I can shift into reverse fine, and when I shift into drive and accelerate, the rpms max out quickly as though I'm only in first gear.

Answer
Kim,

Reverse will work fine.  But, in forward gear the vehicle is locked in second gear to protect the transmission.  I would get it looked at as I described.  Worst case is it will cost $100 bucks to hook up the computer to see what the transmission is doing.