Ok just as the title says my 97 dohc atx is shifting weird. It seems to shift through the gears way too fast. For example half throttle or so and it shifts into drive at close to 30 mph. Wondering if it could be a linkage problem?

 

Its shifting up to early? Is it downshifting normal if you wot? I would check the kickdown cable and arm make sure its moving properly.

 

It takes a lot to get it to kick down it has to be to the floor before it does so I'll have to check it out. Is it located under the battery box? I'm not an idiot when it comes to cars just my first neon

 

Another question. Just trying to get this neon to run decent. Plugs are white. Tell tale sign of it running lean. Could the donut gasket leak be causing this

 

Yes exhaust leak can throw off the o2 sensor making it running a little different air/fuel ratio. I would start with fixing anything obvious and get the car up to par. Then diagnose the issues. Yes under the battery box. May also be time for a service? Trans fluid smell burned? Dark color? or red bright red?

 

Tranny fluid is good. Checked that before I bought it but have no records of when the last flush was or if it was done at all. I plan on changing the donut gasket fixing the flange,changing the motor mount, and flushing the tranny and looking at the linkage

 

If the trans fluid looks and smells fine I would leave it alone. Maybe drop the pan and take a look. Then just throw a filter up and 4 qts of fluid or so. Run it, check it in neutral.