How is everyone. I had a problem a couple of months ago where the voltage reg. in the alt. went bad and the voltage shot up to about 18+. I was a block or so from home so continued to drive home and while enroute, noted the trans. not shifting right. At a stop it wouldnt start out in first, only 2nd and at 50+mph trans. would stay in 3rd with no OD+ CEL was on the entire time. I proceeded to replace the faulty Alt. and everything was fine except for the trans. problem. Tried to clear computer by disconnecting the neg, terminal for 30 minutes or so. I am used to my 87 Mustang Gt as far as car computers go and that is what needs to be done on it to clear codes. Still no luck. Trans still messed up.

Well, a couple of times I had somewhere I needed to go and wife had stang so I decided to limp the bonne around. First couple of times it just ran like always, trans. not shifting. Well, the last time I went to pull out of the driveway and it took off in first gear like it should....So, scratchin my head I got it up to speed and it went into OD like it should. Then at a light I went to take off and the trans. slipped it felt like in first then the CEL came on and back to the SOS. So I left it for a couple of days and then went to take it somewhere and the trans was working again like it should and has now for the past 2 weeks. Everything has been working fine and I have definately been waiting for it to screw up everytime I drive it and it hasnt.

Welp, I'm still scratching my head on this one so I figured I would run it by ya'll and see what ya think. Thanks and lemme know.......l8r

I guess this has a few folks hitting a brick wall as to WTF is going on with this damn thing. I was just hoping that maybe someone had experienced something at least similar. I am not very experienced at all when it comes to post-1990-ish cars and their computers, how they detect faults...ect. I am wondering if maybe the PCM or CPU or WTF-ever it is experienced the voltage increase at the alternator and began shutting down optional stuff and would only run basic functions like a sort of safe-mode or limp condition of some kind....hell, I dont know...I am just guessing cuz I dunno....:0

Anywayze....Thanks for viewing the thread anyhow. If you have anything to add, by all means.....please do.......l8r

Were you able to pull and codes from the SES light?

My first thought is you have low trans fluid and or a plugged filter. Change both if you don't know when it was changed last. Se if that helps.

I, too, have had odd problems with the transmission in my 1996 Bonneville (180,000 miles). Sometimes - not always - but most often the first time Idrive it in the morning - it won't shift into R or D from Park. However, it will shift into Low 2 or 1, and then into R or D. When driving, shifting is perfect.
I'd really like to keep driving this car. Our local mechanic is stumped. He changed the fluid about 6 weeks ago, but the problem persists. Any ideas?

Check the linkages and cables. Sounds like it may not be moving enough to engage. Once you go past that point it'* OK. Sounds like a loose cable

If the SES light came on, there should be at least one error code.
Scan the error codes and see what that reveals.

Hey, thanks for the replies. I had tried to obtain codes when this whole thing started a couple of months ago and because of the OBD1 1/5 thing, no one that I called said they had the means of accesing the computer and the codes. Whether or not that is true is yet to be known as I havent had to take it anywhere as it is back working again. If it screws up again, I will be forced to take it somewhere. Until then I guess, I wont worry about it. The transmission fluid and filter were changed less than 5K miles ago so I would venture to say that shouldnt be the culprit. Fluid looks good and is at a good level. Linkage feels and works fine and has remained the same from when it wasnt working to when it has so that seems out as well. I am at a loss other than to access the computer eventually to see what codes are stored as the CEL did come on during all this. I guess we'll see I suppose...Thanks

I've got the tools to talk to the 1994 for sale in the FS forum. I was asking $150, but will take any reasonable offer as I can't use either the software or cable anymore now that I've moved up to a 2001.

Hey TheFloyd, I would be interested in talking to you about those tools. Would you mind if I PM'd you and we could discuss?

Sure, please do PM me. I attempted to PM you as not to clutter up the forums, but alas, I'm too new (I don't have enough posts) to send PM yet!