98 Grand Caravan - seems stuck in 1st gear

[usone123]

HI - I was headed out of my driveway when the van started to not really move when I pressed the gas. I pressed harder and the tachometer went up to 3 or so and went back down and i started going. I figured maybe I put it in drive too quick or something so i kept going and it did it again at the corner so I started driving straight to get to a place to turn around and it wouldn't let me go more then maybe 5 mph, 10 at most... and evertime I had to stop to take a corner it would do the same thing. I was on the top of a very small hill and it actually started rolling back a bit (it's an automatic). then i pressed gas again and it did the same thing. Finally I got it back to my house but now I'm wondering what is up with this thing and is it safe to drive the mile-1.5 miles to garage....

it's a 98 grand caravan 3.3L automatic trans w/ 152k on it.

we were planing to bring it in for an oil change this week as we're like 1000 over but it doens't seem like oil would cause what it was doing but it's too dark now to check it anyway.

i'm really hoping its not the transmission. my sister has cars die on her all the time in the past and she said it sounds like maybe the catalyc (sp??) converter....

ideas? suggestions? should i tow it or try to drive 5 mph to the shop?

thx
Rae

[peterjon1]

From what you write, it sure sounds like the transmission. First thing to do is check the fluid level. No, changing the motor oil will not have an effect on this.

[Nik73]

I have a 2001 caravan and mine did the same thing the sylinoid block went out on my transmission and it automaticly puts the transmission in 2nd gear it is a safe mode to keep the transmission from tearing it self up. it is mounted to the outside of the transmission.it is about the size of a brick.