2003 Dodge Neon neon speedo/tranny issue

2003 DODGE NEON
125,000 MILES • 2.2L • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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COOPER1962
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  • 5 POSTS
the problem started about a month ago. while driving the speedo would go crazy and within a minute or so the tranny would go into low gear. I would have to pull over wait a few minutes then start it up and it would be ok. It would do this several times in one day or go days/week with no problem. Today I tried to start it and the battery acted dead. I jumped it and it started but sounded aweful, like it wanted to die. When i shifted to reverse it moved a few feet and nothing, then i ;put it in drive and same thing. Now it won't go in gear at all and when i turn the key on without even putting it in gear the speedo goes crazy. Please please help. I don't know where to even start. I'm a single woman living alone and this is my only transportation, also I don't want to get ripped off by a garage selling me fixes I don't need just because I don't know anything.(it's happened before). Thank you in advance for any help
Oct 29, 2015 at 5:53 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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My first belief would be a bad vehicle speed sensor (VSS). The speed sensor sends a signal to both the speedo (to show the speed) and the transmission depends on it to determine which gear it should be in. It isn't an expensive part. It is located on the side of the transmission and only requires one screw to be removed and the wiring harness.
Oct 29, 2015 at 6:21 PM
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COOPER1962
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Thank you I will try that first. I'll let you know.
Nov 1, 2015 at 2:37 AM