It appears my car has no 3rd gear. It shifts fine into R, 1st, & 2nd, but doesn't shift into 3rd....instead it shifts into 4th after 45 mph at about 3200 rpm. I'm hoping it's not an internal problem, but I highly doubt it. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

i would do a flush as in drop the pan change the gasket, if it persests after doing the service it might be a silinoid or a clutch going bad in it. i am leaning into a silinoid going bad on the trans do the filter and trans fluid first to see if it clears up. then it could be two things

 

I did flush with Seafoam and changed the filter just before my post. Refilled with Dex Vl. It had no affect at all on the operation of the trans, and pan and magnet had a minimum of build up. Hoping to find the next step in diagnosing the "no 3rd gear" problem. Thanks.....

 

What is the resting rpm after it shifts at 45mph? I'm leaning more on a possible 4th gear gone rather then 3rd. I can't think of a case where 3rd gear went out. Here's an article on the 4th gear problem: No 4th Gear

 

Once it shifts, after 45 mph, the rpm is about 1200. It's fine on the highway, rpm is very similar to my Le Sabre, about 1600 at 60 mph. If I coast before it shifts at 45 mph, the rpm falls to about 1000, like there's no engine braking at all. Thanks for your reply.