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I need advice on car problems.

So, yesterday, my 2004 Sebring started "flipping out". Engine noise was slightly higher pitched than normal, and when I pulled to a stop, the car would sputter a little and then rev itself up from it's normal 500 RPM up to about 1200. The weird thing is that at the same time, the speedometer needle also jumped up to about 17 MPH, which is located at about the same position on that dial as the needle is on the tachometer.

So I get to work, and think little more of it; probably just vacuum leak or PCV Valve causing it to idle wrong. The speedometer needle is strange, but the Sebring is kind of a strange car. Definitely something to get looked at, but nothing to be incredibly worried about.

I drive home, and the car does more of the same... until I get off of the interstate. Continues acting up when at the next stop light, but then as I take off, it won't shift out of first gear. At this point the engine light comes on. I manage to limp it home, but now I'm scratching my head and kind of more than a little worried about transmission issues.

I've done some research and I've come up with a few things I can think of that might be impacting this:

Vacuum/PCV Valve (transmission works by pressure right?)
Low transmission fluid
Transmission Solenoid Pack

I'm wondering if any Dakka Big Meks out there might have any other thoughts, well, other than full transmission rebuild. Don't wanna hear that one. :(



Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, worth noting that the car works in reverse, too.

Towards the end, when you said it wouldn't shift out of first... did it eventually shift, or just go on in first forever??

One of the things I learned recently through those car tv shows, is that modern, electrically controlled Transmissions have whats called "limp mode" and one way to 'fix' it is to remove your pos. battery terminal (the wire, not the actual terminal) for about 20-30 seconds, to reset the computer

It was in first until I killed it. Never got it to upshift.

The battery terminal thing is interesting. There's some transmission controller that one of my coworkers mentioned to me as being a possibility too, but I haven't found any info on that yet.

Mileage? Have you had the trans fluid checked or changed? Did you get the DTC read? Diagnostic Trouble Code, Autozone, Advance, O'Riley's, et al will check them for free. Is it more humid than normal? Had any battery issues lately?

That said, I would wait to get the code read before doing the battery reset as that resets the DTC's as well. Usually if a machine resets it, or it resets itself, it will store the code in memory, allowing a shop with the proper gear to retrieve it as part of an overall diagnostic. Disconnecting the battery totally erases it, and could potentially cause issues with the Engine Control Module. Granted the chances of shroting out the ECM are about the same of me being elected pope tomorrow, but they do exist...

So glad I started my job with Chrysler today...