My transmission refuses to leave first gear. I can put it in reverse, 2, 1 but drive and overdrive both refuse to leave first gear. And worse yet my car battery is dead the next day. Any suggestions on what it could be ?

Its a 92 SSE.

It still drives smoothly. I have been investigating about the 4T60E transmission that they used on that model and it seems that the modulators tend to go out on them and produce these symptoms. But the computer was freaking out... Im just can't believe that the transmission would die after only 130k miles. I have an 89 that still has a good working transmission and it has 200k miles on it.

At first the check engine light came on. Then the computer screen begin fading in and out along with the heads up display. The heads up display also flickered the speed as being some like 78 mph then it went back down to 30, but was still fading in and out. Im a computer technician, but I know very little about the computers they put in vehicles and that was freaking me out.

I understand what your saying. That the battery could possibly be the source of all my trouble. Its a Diehard, but I left my lights on in the parking lot that day for half an hour and after I started the car the problems began just moments later. I think you might have just saved me a lot of trouble. As far as the voltage goes, right now its a big 0. The battery on my 89 SE is still good do you think the voltage is the same if not should I just try to jump it and see what happens ? Im not very mechanically inclined, but im 18 and have only just gotten into this car automotive maintanance so if anything I just said looks pretty dumb please don't be shy to tell me.

yeah , luck has been pretty bad with my tranny too. I got a bike and pooped a chain! Go figure.

I will and thank you for your help.

It was the alternator. The bearings were shot in it and it was only putting out 10.5 volts. I took it off and put a new one on, then I got the battery charged and presto it worked. I got up to around 55. Gears are shifting great. Thank you for all your help.

Well it was working until this morning. I turned the steering wheel and the belt sounded loose and then I lost another alternator. It sapped 6 volts from the battery when I started the car again. Im so lost. Any ideas ?

I bought the part from Autozone. I think it was just a bad part. Im gonna swap it out again and if this one doesn't work Im gonna see if I can't get one that is a little more pricey. I spent $84 dollars on it, but the next step up was a $136 dollar one with a lifetime warranty instead of a one year warranty. I will tell you what happens tomorrow night. Thanks again for your help.