You should have an AX-4 model transmission. It is electronicly controled but not completely. It does rely on information from the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), A speed sensor on the transmission and a shift lever position switch, via the engine's computer or ECM, to tell the transmission controller, which is separate from the engine controller, when to shift. One thing you can do to see if it's an electrical problem or mechanical is to pull the "trans" fuse in the fuse box under the hood. There should be a ten inch long black box on the passenger side fender well that has the fuse inside it. You have to pull the cover unless it's missing It should be labled and there should be a map on the inside of the cover to tell which fuse is what. Make sure the fuse is not blown and don't forget to put it back in when you're done testing. pulling the fuse takes the electronics out of the picture and the transmission should behave as follows.
When the shifter is in the 1-2 position it should start off and stay in first gear.
When the shift lever is in the 3 position, it should startoff and stay in third gear.
When the shifter is in D position it should start and stay in 4th gear.
Reverse is not electrically controlled and should work normally with the fuse pulled.
In other words, with the fuse pulled, you should be able to shift it manually with the lever, starting in 1-2(first) then shifting to 3 (third) and finally D (4th).
If it behaves like above with the fuse pulled,the transmission is Ok and the problem is in the electrical control system.
If, on the other hand, the transmission stays in first gear when you start off in 3rd position(fuse pulled), then there is a mechanical problem within the transmission.
Now! If it was OK until you washed under the hood you may have water in the connectors between the transmission and the computer. They are on the passenger side of the engine compartment near the firewall. You can find them by following the wires up from the passengerside of the transmission (the neutral safety switch which is also the shift lever position and backup light switch) If you can find the connectors pull them abart and check for dirt and/or wet. It's also possible the TPS has a bad connection but that should cause other problems with idle speed being off or erratic if it is at fault. Likewise, if the ECM connections were bad from being wet/dirty there should be other signs with the way the engine behaves and the "Check engine" light would probably come on.
I recommend doing the test by pulling the transmission fuse. Then, if the test shows the problem is electrical,you should try to find the connectors I talked about and check them out.
I hope I'm not confusing you too much. Good luck. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
