02 Mitsubishi Montero Transmission Issue

[spk2000]

I have been having trouble with my transmission. I just drove it about an hour away to test it out. Cruise was set at 70 when it skidded as it dropped from 5th gear to 3rd. Redlined engine briefly until I slowed it down. Transmission went into 3rd gear only mode. No 1st, 2nd or 4th , 5th. Take off and in 3rd. I decided to drive it home on backroads about 60 miles in 3rd and it drove ok. I got it home and parked in the garage, Now I start it up and put it into reverse and it goes in but acts like the brakes is being held and shifts kind of jerky. I put it back into Drive and it moves forward ok but still in 3rd. Any thoughts what might be going on?

 

[simple_gifts]

Have you ever checked the fluid level, changed the fluid?

 

[JTK]

A former co-worker of mine had a 2001 or 02 Montero Sport that exhibited similar trans issues at ~120K miles. He had never serviced the AT. The shop he limped it into did a fluid exchange and it shifted normally again. If new fluid doesn't change things, I'd look into a possible range/mode sensor issue.

 

[barkingspider]

I would replace the transmission fluid and filter and see what happens

 

[artificialist]

Change the fluid by dropping the pan. If you see more than just small particles of wear metal, you then immediately know that your transmission has to be rebuilt. If you don't find any abnormal stuff in the transmission pan, you might be able to save your car, but there are no promises.

I don't have high expectations for success in your case. I never had any good experiences with Diamond-Matic transmissions.