Ok, i got a 2000 max. today i was running some errands,and it drove fine,on the way home as i was going down the back roads i notice it wouldnt shift into 4th....so i attempted the highway for 1 exit, it climbed to 75mph and my rpms were up at aroud 4k which obviously isnt normal so i started getting mad lol. after i shut the car off and turned it back on all seems fine. why would my car have been stuck in 3rd gear ? oh and also...no codes have been thrown

 

how many miles? how does the fluid look? any idea on maintenance history?

 

Is there a chance that you might've pressed the OD button accidentally?

 

+1. Was gonna say the exact thing.

 

I've had this happen before two times, both while climbing up extended hills with the OD off. It wouldn't go back into overdrive. I stopped for about 10 minutes each time and it shifted just fine after that. It seems it is more of an issue with the tranny overheating a bit.

My tranny has been solid otherwise at 193K miles.

 

The OD switch would be the likely cause.

 

o/d was def on button wasnt touched....my car has 190k on it,it happened after i got stuck going up an icy hill....it just strikes me odd...my fluid...LOL dont ask how my fluid looks, it looks more like oil than it does tranny fluid my guess would be changing the fluid and filter maybe would help?

 

Probably not......

But on a serious note, every time I do a trans drain/fill, shifts seem to be a little smoother. Surely doesn't hurt to try a drain/fill, especially if your current fluid is noticeably contaminated. Swap the "filter" only if it looks physically damaged.

 

Uh yeah.....

 

so how would it not help? a fresh filter and fresh fluid would technically lubricate more allowing all the mechanics to operate and shift smoother....unless its already too late or a sensor i would imagine it should help...my car shifts great as it is aside from that little issue yesterday, its been fine all day today....matter of fact i smoked an acura tl on the way home today..

 

No one's saying it wouldn't help. I was being sarcastic.

Plus, based on your above post, if you have the notion it would help, why not just do it?

 

cause i figured there may have been another issue at hand someone may know about

 

clutches in side tranny might be bad

 

ummm our cars have od switches??? am i clueless to where it is?
i have a 03 se.

 

^ I was thinking the same thing. Maybe the 5th gens have a switch and the 5.5 gens don't?
Edit: They do

 

Not sure where it is in your car, if any, but in mine it's right below the button you depress to switch gears.

 

Was the tranny fully warm? On my 2000 it doesn't go into 4th until the engine is warmed up (especially in the winter) Has always been like this.

Also, if you don't know when the tranny fluid was last changed it may be time to do it. But don't do a flush since I have heard that a flush can make a tranny fail.

What I do is remove the lower hose that goes from the tranny to the radiator and change one qt at a time until it's coming out nice and pink.