02 Century transmission problems

O2 Century 145,000 miles. Start up in morning, back out of garage, go down drive, start out & as car shifts fine as it goes thru gears. When it gets to running gear, not overdrive, it acts like it is in nuetral. Car revs up, nothing. Let it coast awhile, keep trying then it kicks in & runs fine. Drive 30 miles to work, starting and stopping and all is fine. Come out at lunch & same problem. Same at quitting time. Fluid level is fine. Doesn't smell burnt. Is the tranny going south or is there some sensor or control (I read there is a pressure control solenoid) that is causing this?

What do you mean by running gear? :confused: Does it act up in third gear or 4th which is OD. The 4th clutch shaft is a common problem if it is occurring in 4th gear - OD. Your symptoms is indicative of this problem which is mechanical in nature.

The dash panel has 1-2-3-D. Start out in D & as it shifts from 1st to 2nd, then the next gear, 3rd, it acts like it is neutral. No partial engagement, no slipping. It just revs up. Let it coast, & try accelerating & then it seems to engage & all is well. You can stop, start out, go forever after that Let the car sit a while & then the same thing. Called a few shops & they told me it is internal & is on they way out. You agree?

Hard to say for sure. Probably won't hurt to get it scanned and see if there are any electrical issues or stored DTCs in history but an internal mechanical issue would be a good assumption.

When was the last tranny service. ATF and screen filter?

I did scan it and I didn't get any codes. I don't think fluid has ever been changed but there might have been some sort of recall & it was changed then. Anyway, I am having a used one from a salvage yard (250.00) installed for 350.00 by a transmission shop. Considered doing it myself but after looking through the Haynes manual, decided to let the pros do it.