Okay, I don't know much about transmissions and I tried searching for any topics on this but I didn't know exactly what to look for.

Lately it seems like a lot of the time while driving my transmission will stay in too high of gear. Whenever I want to accelerate I press on the gas and there is just no power. When I press down hard it will down shift and then I have lots of power while accelerating but once I let my foot back off the pedal it shifts back up into too high of gear.

I do a lot of highway traveling so I took note of the rpms at various speeds. At 55 Mph the rpms were 1500-1600. At 65 Mph they get up to 2000. I can't remember 75 mph exactly but it seems to be in the 2400-2600 range.

This problem is obviously really annoying to drive with. Any ideas what this could be? Please don't say my tranny is dying... although it probably is :(

what is your trans fluid color and how full is it and when you check it. your car should be running and wormed up to do so. the color should be red if it is like crappy brownish red change the fluid.. and put new in it

I'll have to do that this weekend. I have no idea how to check it however

After the transmission if fully warmed up, with the transmission in neutral, and engine running, pull the dipstick that is back by the firewall and has a red top to it. Look at the condition of the tranny fluid, as well as the smell. Does it smell burned? Wipe off the dipstick, and note if there is a fair amount of black that is left behind on the rag, along with the tranny fluid. Put the dipstick back in, then pull it back out. What level is it on the dipstick?

Are you having any other issues? It could be as simple as a bad throttle position sensor.

Eric, double check the vacuum line going to the modulator on the front of the transmission. Also to check would be your TPS voltages, they are key in shifting.

Your speeds/RPM relations aren't that far off from mine. Here'* what mine are with a 3.06 gear ratio:

70 MPH = 2,000 RPMs
80 MPH = 2,500 RPMs

174K is a lot of miles for our trannies. It makes me wonder if your torque convertor is slipping when locked up. That could be caused from having a low fluid level. As advised, check it.

I get a fair amount of slip between 1-2 and 2-3....and I'm at 166K.

so what is the news :?: good or bad

He has a 98. No vacuum line or modulator.

gonna check the fluid tomorrow, I was way too busy today.

Make sure you 'stir' it up a bit by starting the car and going through all the gears with your foot on the brake. Spend about 10 seconds or so in each gear, and got up and back twice. Then check it while in park and idling.