I recently acquired a 97 GT with a metric automatic overdrive trans. up until monday night everything worked perfectly. I pulled out of a parking lot and realized that the trans wa not shifting out of first gear until it almost hit 5grand. I have since then had to manually shift through the gears. I have changed the filter and fluids and to much avail nothing. I have talked to a few people that have said that it could possibly be the speed sensor on the tailshaft housing. I have eliminated this being the root cause of the problem. I have had another mechanic tell me that it could be the forward clutches. I have also been told that this could be caused by a malfuctioning coolant sensor. Does anyone have any other ideas as to what could be causing the problem that I could try without nickeling me to death.

 

Have the same car its not the coolant sensor mine is unpluged.You have two on the crossover one for the gauge and one for who knows what..I just havent unpluged becouse my fan will not turn on with it plugged in and yes ive changed it.Wait if you have stock manifold you cant see the crossover becouse its built in and plastic..but yea not the cooling sensor..

 

I have the same problem in my 96 GT. I've had this transmission problem for over a year. At first, I would have to shift manually from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd; 3rd would shift automatically to 4th. Now, 3rd takes up to 4500k rpm in order to shuft, but sometimes it does not shift. Im not sure what the deal is, but i know I need a rebuild. It seems your problem is not as severe, but be aware of it getting worse.

 

I appreciate the input folks. I wish there was more information out there that perhaps someone might be able to help all of us out with this issue. Have a great weekend.