transmission problem

[Rustybux]

I have a 94 pathfinder XE. Automatic. sometimes I start the car...put it in drive and it starts out in high gear...i have to turn the engine off and they put it in D and it starts normal in low and shifts. what would cause that?

[Cuong Nguyen]

What the fluid level? Color? Smell? How many miles? When was the last fluid flush? Are you running an aftermarket transmission cooler?

[Rustybux]

Tranny fluid nice and red, Smells normal. Had tranny flushed 2 years ago. No aftermarket cooler.... it started this before the tranny flush...

[Slartibartfast]

If the transmission computer thinks something is wrong, it'll lock into third gear and not shift until you turn the ignition off and on again. Interesting that it's happening on startup. There is a self-test in the service manual where the light in the E-AT switch is supposed to flash to tell you what the TCU is upset about--it's in the AT section of the service manual. I haven't had to run that test myself so that's about all I can tell you there.

[Cuong Nguyen]

Your power light will flash 13 times or so letting you know it went into limp mode when you start it up.

[Rustybux]

I"ve never noticed the power light flashing. I don't have a service manual but i'll see what I can find....thanks for the replies.

[Cuong Nguyen]

Clink the link that Slarti posted. It's all the service manuals.