Hi guys. I had a wierd thing happen this morning. Got in the car, started it up, let it sit for about a minute then put it into gear (automatic) and the motor lugged then died. It cranked right back up, I put it in gear again but gave it a little extra gas. It didn't die this time but felt like it was in 3rd. It never dropped down to first. I drove for about a mile and it never would shift up or down. So I did the next logical thing...floored it. It downshifted and took off then everything was normal. It has done this once before and both times it was a cool (30's temp) morning.
Any idea's?

 

clutch? fluid level?

 

Fluid level is good. Not sure what you mean by clutch, but there is no slippage.

 

The trannies have a fail safe mode where they only operate in one gear if they detect internal damage. I don't know what sensor is used for this or how they determine what is and what is not damaged. Perhaps either something really is wrong inside, or whatever is supposed to turn fail-safe tranny on/off is broken.

 

get it checked asap, then let us know