[V8] Transmission Limp Mode

[Stafford, Kenneth A.]

Seamus,

The reason it feels like you are starting in 3rd gear is because...you are starting (and staying) in 3rd gear!  As others have told you, this is the "limp mode".  I would disagree with the driving restrictions however.  I drove mine that way for probably 500 miles with no ill effect--including cruising at 65 mph.  In my case it was simply an intermittent problem with the external rotary switch that hooks to the linkage (easily seen from under the car).  After removing it, I tore it apart (requires drilling out the rivets IIRC), found some dirty contacts, cleaned them up, resealed the plastic box and reassembled with small machine screws--worked flawlessly for the last two years.

Good luck--I doubt if it is a serious problem.

Ken

'91 V8Q ~200K--now gone to a new owner in RI, :(
'03 S8 ~100K--yeah.... :)