I've turned a wrench or two but I'm far from being a mechanic.

I bough my car last week with 119k miles on it. Last night it started to give me troubel.

I thought it was hard shifting but then the problem got worse. The acceleration became very choppy, felt like I was hammering the gas then removing foot, hammering then removing. This happened after I went WOT a few times (speed never above 75). The check engine light came on and I parked it for the night. Today, I take it to the guy who sold it to me and then to an auto parts store (to pull the code). But when I left the car lot, the check engine light came off.

I went WOT again but boost only got to about +5, and felt slugish. Also a bit of rotten egg smell and gas smell. The smells might have been from the part of town I was in, I haven't been able to get them to come back.

Sounds like the supercharger whines a little louder, too.

Any ideas would be fantastic. Thanks.

Get the car scanned and post the code. That will help.

Would the code still show up even now that the check engine light is off?

Some codes are stowed and others are not. Many parts stores will do a free scan for you, so you have nothing to loose in doing so.

Got the code: P0742, Torque converter clutch circuit stuck on.

From the 2000 FSM:

The TCC release switch is part of the automatic transmission fluid pressure (TFP) manual valve position switch. The TFP manual valve position switch is mounted to the transmission valve body.

The TCC release switch is a normally-closed switch. When the TCC is released, TCC release fluid pressure opens the TCC release switch which opens the TCC release pressure circuit. When the voltage on the circuit is high (switch open), the PCM recognizes that the TCC is no longer engaged.

If the PCM detects that the TCC release switch is closed when the TCC is commanded OFF, then DTC P0742 sets. DTC P0742 is a type A DTC.

If you can afford it, take it to the dealer and have them run a Tech II scan and diagnostics on it. They can get it to clear by running and test and then seeing what is the true reason for setting the DTC.

Hmm. I searched online and the transmission control solenoid seems like a likely suspect. Do you know where about this part is? And can you recommend a good one? We're getting to the area where I'm clueless (don't tell the wife).

I found these two at NAPAonline.com
Transmission Control Solenoid w/ 4 Speed Trans Shift Solenoid
ECH TCS561 $31.49

Transmission Control Solenoid w/ 4 Speed Trans TCC/PWM Solenoid
ECH TCS552 $57.49

Check at Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto as well.

Maybe you should find a qualified trans shop to tackle this repair.
To answer the question of where this switch is, it is behind the side cover of your trans.
Basically you need to drop the sub frame, lower the trans on the driver side low enough to get the side cover off. Once the cover is off I think its attached to the valve body. I am not sure if this can be done on the garage floor. If you try this please post pics.

Ha ha ha. Fella'* thank for the advice and link. I'll take a look and decide if I want to be a do-it-yourself'er or not. If I get brave and tackle the job, I'll be sure to post pics and descriptions. If not I'll let you know what the repair bill looks like.

Either way, I'll start a new thread. Probably under "How To" or "1992-1999."