Major Aurora problems, need help/advice please with transmission+dash lights/gauges

I have a 1995 Olds Aurora(automatic) that is very messed up right now. I think it may just be fuses, but I don't understand the transmission being screwed up. Here my story/problem.

My car was running just fine, I replaced the battery last month($125). I parked my car on a slight hill and visited my parents for about 15 min. I left planning on getting fuel and when I started my car I notice that my gas guage was past empty. I knew I had some gas still, so I drove away thinking it was just because I parked on a hill. Once getting down the street I noticed my car was having trouble getting out of first gear and it was almost like it was in netrual once reving up. Then I noticed that none of my dashboard guages were working including my heater/AC and the stickshift lights. I decided I better get home quick, but it toke me forever, cause i pretty much has to coast sice I didn't want to blow my car up from over-reving. I don't know really anything about cars, I was wondering if anyone else has ever had this problem? If its a major problem that is going to cost alot of money i'll just throw away the car, cause its not worth it to fix up. Thanks

Jake

Have you checked your fuses and transmission oil level?

Did your SES light come on?

For help on fuses look in your Owners Handbook or go to,

'http://home.achilles.net/~howardm/aurora/aurora.php'
Remove leading and following '
follow the Under the hood link

If your tranny oil level is O.K. then you probably have a shift solenoid problem. Do a search on this forum for "shift solenoid" for more info or have your Aurora scanned.

Oh and welcome to the forum.

My first reaction is COMPUTER PROBLEMS...been there...done that. When my computer (pass. side - under dash) went to crap I had shifting problems, light problems, engine idle problems, etc. Simply shelling out $375 for a new computer fixed everything and I mean everything. I never did find out why my computer crashed. It could have been a faulty alternator and a power spike.

The best thing to do that is relatively inexpensive is to have a scan tool hooked up. Check for codes. That could tell you a lot. When I checked things out (before I knew for sure that the computer was faulty) the tech could not get any connection with the PCM. That was my first clue that the PCM was bad.

I feel your pain.