1999 Chrysler Sebring Gears won't change in car

APRIL1980

MEMBER
1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING
2.5L
6 CYL
AUTOMATIC

I was driving on my way home last night and my speedometer stopped working and my car would not change into gears from drive.I can use reverse in the car. It drives but it just won't change out of low gear. I don't want to keep driving it and burn something up so could someone please give me an insight on what this could possibly be. It's the only mode of transportation I have so I need to get it fixed. Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

When the Transmission Computer detects a problem, it goes into "limp" mode which makes the transmission stay in second gear. That is only to allow you to drive the car slowly to a repair shop without needing a tow truck. There is going to be a diagnostic fault code stored in that computer. Having that read is the place to start. Many auto parts stores will read codes for you for free, but they usually can only read engine codes. You may need to find a mechanic with a full scanner to read transmission codes.

Given the additional symptom of no speedometer, the most likely suspect is a failed speed sensor. There's two of them; an input speed sensor and an output speed sensor. Both are used to calculate road speed, and a failure of either one will send the system into limp mode. You have to turn the ignition switch off and restart the engine to get it out of limp mode.