Automatic transmission: failing to drive

Hi guys!

I have this problem on my Mitsubishi Eclipse 1997 2.0 DOHC GS, non turbo:

I was driving on a highway when suddenly my car went neutral (not my stick went to neutral, just couldn't drive forward although the stick was in D position). When I was pressing gas, the rpm went up, but the car didn't move, although I had in D. When I stopped the car (turned it of) then my car moved for about 20 yards and then went neutral again. It didn't help to put in 2 or L, evertime rpm just increased, but the car didn't move. I could drive it in reverse without any problem, but I couldn't drive forward.

What might be the problem? Is it electronic or mechanical? Thank you for your help!

Can you hear the tranny shift?

Can you hear the tranny shift?

Yes. It shifts... Well, you can hear the exact sounds as before... maybe just a little bit of scratching noise... but it can go to reverse and drives... and also when you turn off the car and turn it on again, you can drive for few yards...

This sounds all too damn familiar. Could be a weak transmission pump, which is what my 94 Shadow POS was diagnosed with right before I traded it in. Would do that all the time, especially when cold. Or I might not know what I'm talking about . . .

Sounds like the TCM (Trans Control Module) I've had similar problems
try replacing it with another TCM (used/new) it should solve you problem...

Sounds like the TCM (Trans Control Module) I've had similar problems
try replacing it with another TCM (used/new) it should solve you problem...

And where is it located? Thanks!

I had the same problem with my 97 RS.... had to replace whole Tranny... GooD LucK! ;)

Sounds like the TCM (Trans Control Module) I've had similar problems
try replacing it with another TCM (used/new) it should solve you problem...

The TCM is Located in the ECM setup and it is located in the the Center Console behind the Stero setup... However your explaining that you hear a scratching noise in the Trans... This Could also be a major problem... when i bought my 93 eclipse the A/Trans made a chattering sound in gear it would move a little bit in drive but then stopped moving youd shut it off and it would move again when restarted however would not move in reverse... I took the Transmission out of the car when i pulled it apart there were shards of metal everywher in the case... What had happend was that there is a Pressure washer in between the planetary gearset and the drive gear... well it had exploded the pieces were being washed into the moving parts by the trans fluid.... it had completely destroyed the planetary gearset however it had not shelled the case out... that noise was do to the damaged gears rotating upon the other secondary set of the planetary gearset. the gears were so mutalated it would not drive for longer then a few yards... until you restarted the car which when you restart it pushes a high blast of trans fluid into the trans case. pushing the unused undamaged part of the gear into the gearset wich the vibrates back out again... so you might be in need of a trans rebuild

It's the tranny