This just happened today. I was driving in town going about 35mph and twice the rpms jumped up as if I put it in netrual then it was fine. The on my way home I lost Drive(overdrive) And when I stopped I put it in park, checked all fluids they were full and clean put it in every gear and nothing. Then I shut off the engine turned it back on then the trans worked again as if there was never a problem and 5 miles down the road same problems accured again. I did this a few times and finally I could barely get low 1 to work. Left it sit for an hour and now no problem. Drove it for 20-30 miles and the problem started back up any ideas...

Thanks, Dave

 

I hate to say it but it sounds like your transmission is toast, I had a similar problem on my 95' intrepid and had to have the tranny replaced the reason it does this is the gears are almost gone inside it, you stop and turn it off and they come back for awhile then when it seems like there is no problem, they go away again. A way to check it is to pull the dipstick out of the tranny, smell the fluid, if it smells like its burnt, its gone. good luck with it, from what i was told trannys for that car a readely available.

 

My 1994 ES did the same to me. All you need is a few minor things. There is infact NOTHING wrong with your 42LE transmission. Replace the following (if not done so already): spark plugs, ignition plug wires, coil pack. Disconnect the negative cable on battery for one night, at least for 24 hours. Drive the car again for 3 days so the computer "relearns." Then flush the transmission with ATF 3 Mopar 7176 only!!! Disconnect the battery again. The PCM should ultimately reset itself altogether. If these steps don't cure it, you may need the 42LE shift solenoid pack replaced, which is commonly deteriorated by contaminates and old fluid. It's $300, if it needs it. Fortunately enough, my Intrepid just needed a flush, and it drives 100% like a brand new car currently. Might also be a good idea to replace the transmission filter while getting the flush service.

 

Check the fluid, sounds like its low

 

Easy things first.
Obviously, you lack fluid pressure and this is a tansmission problem, not an engine problem.
Last time this exact scenario occured to me, the oil filter in the transmission was clogged. AN easy fix: remove the transmission pan, change the filter. A $20. job.
With a clogged filter, the oil flow is restricted and pressure does not build up.
Now a clogged filter means probably worn out disks . This shows as very dirty oil that smells burnt. But sometimes, the $20 filter job with a transmission oil change will boost pressure enough so you can drive for a time and choose a better time for an overhaul..or wait till it dies for good and you decide what you do then.
If filter is clean and oil is transparent, then you can have a blown O-ring and this means a more thorough search: a filter will not do it then. It may be an "on car" serviceable item like accumulator, an easy fix too but otherwise, you will have to drop the transmission.

SO remove that transmission oil pan and look for that filter: that is the first step, an easy one and with a little luck, it can save the day.