03 Mazda Prot?g? 5 trans goes to limp mode/3rd gear when running in park and sometimes driving. Dash shows PRNDL fine in Acc. Position not RUN.. Trans just rebuilt, PRNDL SW replaced. No codes.

what does correctly mean. there are like 50 failing symptoms in the box.
a huge list. but common are.:

1. all gears 100% dead, PRNDL( R&D&L) all dead and act like Neutral
2. DRIVE acts like neutral or is Neutral shift linkages bad.
3. drive works in 1st gear but does not up-shift, at all.
4. drive works but 3 or 4th gear fail to happen.
5. in drive the tranny is locked into 2nd gear fixed. this is tranny limp home ,so scan the PCM/TCM for tranny errors.
6. in drive the 1>?2 up-shift goes to a false neutral (called flare) RPM goes why high
7. and lots and lots more, it is a complex device/system

the causes and tests posted here 1000 times.
endless it was. or 1billion times www., it seems

the so called ON CAR checks.

• fuses all good
• levels good, hot/idle, in park L>>>>X<<<<H (between L and H) never over or under. ATF dip stick gandering.
• scan the PCM/TCM for tranny errors heck ANY ! and share them.
• check shift linkage if tranny dead, the service manual even shows proving,each selection PRNDL works, even to the point of cant push car in park test. and can push in N. and more, in the book just this 1 test.
• dip stick end looks like tar, or metal dust or smells burnt. (doomed)
• and last the SM book shows the tranny pump port checks done at PRNDL
• the side ports and a 300psi gauge tests, that must pass.
• Tranny pan filter packed.
• Tranny filter cracked and sucks air, oops
• scans show shift solenoids failing, DTC errors. share them.
• and more, sure.

the tcm. (trans control module) has detected a fault in the transmission. it won't change because its in limp home mode.
the vss sensor may have failed. let the dealer or transmission shop run a scan tool on it.

Hi, It may be in LIMP mode.

What is "limp-home mode" ? This is a fault mode in which the transmission either loses electrical power or the PCM deactivates all of the electronics. The transmission will default to max line pressure. The driver will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter). 1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available. It will not hurt the car to drive it like this for short periods, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving, and be aware that the trans will generate more heat than normal while operating in limp-home mode due to increased torque converter slippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear.

Common failures on 4L60E, symptom any possible repair:

Trans shifts into gear harshly, car feels sluggish off the line, No 1st, 4th or TCC lockup available, Manual 2nd, 3rd and Reverse are only available gears, CEL is on: Transmission is either in limp-home mode or has lost electrical power. If there are lots of error codes in the PCM, check the under-hood fuse that powers the transmission, and if it pops again, look for a short in that circuit like an O2 sensor harness touching exhaust. Otherwise, check PCM codes for a particular fault in the transmission causing the PCM to put it in limp-home mode.

No 1st or 4th available; trans shifts 2nd to 3rd by itself in D or OD and locks the converter :ShiftA solenoid failed. Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.

Car goes into gear but feels very sluggish like the brakes are dragging, but it will roll easily (starts out in 4th gear), you manually shift to 2 to get it moving, once it's moving you put it back in OD and the car shifts 3rd to 4th on its own and locks the converter at the appropriate time: ShiftB solenoid failed: Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.

Trans seems noisy when moving in 1st and Reverse, noise goes away instantly if you shift to N or the trans goes into 3rd gear: Reaction planetary is worn out due to high miles or insufficient lubrication. Not a critical failure, but not a good sign either. R&R sooner rather than later.

3rd gear starts, can manually shift through all gears. When car has been turned off for a bit, then back on it will run normally.: VSS dropoff w/ Hi-stall converter. The rpms are too high, but VSS is showing no movement. Happens after a tire burning take-off. Doesn't store a code, will not throw a CEL (I've heard that it will store a code if it happens 3 or more times). Cure: Reprogram PCM for VSS dropoff -- PCMforLess knows about it.

If you can get the Jimmy for no more then $500.00 and the engine sounds good and body is good, you may want to invest in the repair of the jimmy. Also note that to have a close look at the fuel line along the frame on the drivers side just by the back doors, the line is know to corroded there on all the SUV's

Trans shifts into gear harshly, car feels sluggish off the line, No 1st, 4th or TCC lockup available, Manual 2nd, 3rd and Reverse are only available gears, CEL is on: Transmision is either in limp-home mode or has lost electrical power. If there are lots of error codes in the PCM, check the underhood fuse that powers the transmission, and if it pops again, look for a short in that circuit like an O2 sensor harness touching exhaust. Otherwise, check PCM codes for a particular fault in the transmission causing the PCM to put it in limp-home mode.
What is "limp-home mode" ? This is a fault mode in which the transmission either loses electrical power or the PCM deactivates all of the electronics. The transmission will default to max line pressure. The driver will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter). 1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available. It will not hurt the car to drive it like this for short periods, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving, and be aware that the trans will generate more heat than normal while operating in limp-home mode due to increased torque converter slippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear.
Before guessing at transmission problems, check the fluid level (car warmed up, engine running in Park on level ground) and have the PCM scanned for trouble codes FIRST. This guide is meant for problems that do not show up as PCM codes (like shift A&B solenoid failures, for example).
Thank you for using fixya and good luck

i do have the same problem and i took the car to 5 differant mechanic an dget no solution the aaamco the petboys the mazda dealer another transmission specialist please let me know if u have any solution

The transmission may be in Limp mode. The transmission is on the same fuse as the MAF, O2 sensors and at least one other sensor - if an O2 shorts out, it will blow the fuse and the trans will go into limp-home mode. Be sure the trans has power and the fuse is not blown before doing anything else.

What is "limp-home mode" ? This is a fault mode in which the transmission either loses electrical power or the PCM deactivates all of the electronics. The transmission will default to max line pressure. The driver will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter). 1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available. It will not hurt the car to drive it like this for short periods, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving, and be aware that the trans will generate more heat than normal while operating in limp-home mode due to increased torque converter slippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear.

Trans does not upshift out of first, speedometer reads zero at all times: VSS failure. Easy fix on rear of transmission, but xmember must come out to access VSS.

Car goes into gear but feels very sluggish like the brakes are dragging, but it will roll easily (starts out in 4th gear), you manually shift to 2 to get it moving, once it's moving you put it back in OD and the car shifts 3rd to 4th on its own and locks the converter at the appropriate time: ShiftB solenoid failed: Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.

No 1st or 4th available; trans shifts 2nd to 3rd by itself in D or OD and locks the converter : ShiftA solenoid failed. Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.

Transmission does not shift automatically, only manually. Swap in a known-good PCM, check wiring, check other sensors such as VSS and TPS.

3rd gear starts, can manually shift through all gears. When car has been turned off for a bit, then back on it will run normally.: VSS dropoff w/ Hi-stall converter. The rpms are too high, but VSS is showing no movement. Happens after a tire burning take-off. Doesn't store a code, will not throw a CEL (I've heard that it will store a code if it happens 3 or more times). Cure: Reprogram PCM for VSS dropoff -- PCMforLess knows about it.

Here are just some of the common things you have described with the issues your transmission has. Good luck and keep me posted.

IF the abs dash light is on and if the speedometer is sluggish or not working at all, it is probably a bad speed sensor on the transmission. and easy fix under $40 for the part. Mine was stuck in second gear for a while then worked then it stuck in first gear and i had the CHECK ENGINE light on.

MCARTER859: check the connections where the transmission harness and engine room harness come together. Unplug them and reconnect them I have run into more than one case with the same symptoms as yours which ended up being nothing more than poor connections.
CROSS YOUR FINGERS1

You may be low on fluid, so check that first, after driving a bit and getting the trans up to operating temp. If it is low, fill it with the proper type of trans fluid and then see how it operates.
Check it with the motor running, gear in park and parking brake on. If that is not the culprit, it could be a solenoid or other fault that is causing the trans to operate in "limp mode" meaning it will only allow first and second gear to get you home.

you have to change the solenoid control if your car is 3.5 engine the solenoid control located at inside the transmission..