1998 Trans will not shift

[dugtech]

I have a 98 Neon that won't shift into 3rd. I recently put a new engine into the car and the trans worked just fine before the swap. The speedometer works ok so I don't think it's the speed sensor. I haven't put any anti-freez or water into the car yet because I didn't want to drain it out if I had to pull the engine out again. Don't worry I have only run it for a few minutes so the engine really hasn't even warmed up yet. Without coolant will this put the car into safe mode and not shift into 3rd? Also the engine came out of a car that had a manual transmission, is there a sensor that I should have changed?

[BleedDodge]

Running a car with no water in it is the same as putting a kettle on the stove with no water in it. Don't be a fool. The damage you do to your motor will cause more work for you than taking 2 minutes to dump all the water out a second time.

[dugtech]

I here you. Is there a temperature sensor that won't let the car shift?

[BleedDodge]

Probably. Put water in it and then take it for another ride.

[dugtech]

Thanks I'll try it tomorrow.

[dugtech]

Originally Posted by BleedDodge

Probably. Put water in it and then take it for another ride.

I put anti-freeze in the car and ran it for quite some time but still no shift. Anybody have a clue?

[randy1980]

My 97 neon had the same problem. It would not shift into 2nd gear ( it sometimes did but not always). I had to have the trans rebuilt, it cost about $200. Hope this helps.