Automatic Tranny Help

I was wondering if you guys could help with something. I know this isn't a Honda forum but I trust ya'll more than other people so I figured I'd try posting here first.

My friend has an automatic 1999 Honda Prelude with 178,000 miles. Recently she said that her car stopped going into gear. It would go into first and second but that's it - third and fourth is not there or it wouldn't shift to those gears.

Any ideas on what it could be? Shops are quoting her $1,500.00 for the fix but I could've sworn I read somewhere here before that the tranny is not fried but rather it is some type of safety feature to avoid more problems. I've looked but my keywords must be off cause I'm not finding anything.

Anyways, any ideas on what I could check would be greatly appreciated. And if not then about how much should a fix like this be?

THANKS in advance!!

did the check engine light go on? and did you have it scanned for a code?

No, no check engine light or anything.

NOTE: I just realized all the bad grammar in the first post and edited it. LOL Sorry!

how's the condition of the trans fluid?

if it smells burnt, and looks brown, i'm guessing the clutch packs are gone :(

i can't find any online about the honda prelude going into "limp mode"

maybe you can google something in those terms

Check to see if there are any codes stored.
Follow the attached document to retrieve the codes.

Hey 91STT, thanks a bunch for that info.

I'll give it a try this weekend and report back.