Help! Car Won't Exceed 35 mph

My mother's 1987 Mazda 626 automatic won't shift higher than 3rd so she can only go as fast as 35 mph. She has been driving it this way, in town, for over a year and it hasn't gotten any worse. If it were the transmission, wouldn't it have gradually failed by now? Could it be some kind of sensor or something? We are hoping it is not the transmission since it is very expensive to get fixed. The engine is in good shape otherwise with about 135,000 miles on it.

First off, if it's in 3rd and only going 35mph, you need to take it to get serviced quick!! That is a transmission problem. It could also just be a solenoid, but you're not going to figure that out unless they put it on a lift. Just take it to get serviced and play it safe.

Would you recommend taking it to a general mechanic, a transmission shop like AAMCO, or a Mazda dealer? If it is just the solenoid, would a mechanic say so? I'm a little worried that many places would automatically want to replace the transmission for the $$$. A couple of people have said that replacing the transmission is $2000 or more for this car. My mother is on a fixed income and can't afford that.

Take it to a general mechanic... you could take it to a dealer but don't go ahead and do something until you get 3 or more quotes... most places should do this for free

id just bring it in and have them change the auto tranny fluid, but it could be a solinoid. do you hear a faint whine or even a loud one if that doesnt work go to champian or some place that sells lucas oil it has hellepedmy uncle alot

35mph sounds like you're stuck in 1st... :)

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