the car goes into p-r-n-d-3-l but thats it when im driving it sounds like im driving a stick shift, l changed the filter,gasket and the fluid and tried to switch the gears manually an still nonthing please help!

oops l forgot there was also little metal pieces in the fluid pan.
nate k where is this part located and what does this look like

Remove the input and output speed sensors and clean them. They both contain a magnet and will appear to be covered with a gray fuzz. This is metal dust and ATF mixed to a paste. Wipe them off and reinstall. A failed sensor will commonly trigger a check engine light, but a dirty one may not.

New sensors are cheap right from the dealer. Online auctions can be even cheaper ($10 to $35 for both sensors new)

little metal pieces you say? that sounds like pieces off the bands.

The transaxle is in Limp-in mode, a feature of Chrysler is electronic automatic transaxles.
The 42LE has no bands, one way clutches, only clutch packs, & any metal chips, or debris is bad news. You need to retrieve the diagnostic codes from the TCM (Transaxle control Module) they will give you, or the tech, important information regarding the failure. As stated above a sensor can cause Limp-in, as well as electronic/ wiring circuit issues, low fluid level, & various internal failures. The TCM must be scanned, the PCM (Powertrain Control Module)) will only indicate that the TCM has a diagnostic code, it will not tell u what code.

Little metal flakes r not uncommon if u do not service the transmission every 30000 miles, l need to ask u if u have a emmisions light on or the engine light on. Nate is correct if about the speed sensors, u need to have the computer scanned & then u will have a place to start. The output speed sensor is located closest to the cv shaft or axle. The input is located towards the front engine side. l would not clean them, u will waste ur time. If the codes come up for one of the sensors, replace it & perform a transmission flush. Hope this helps

TRANSMISSION SOLENOID.

l dont know why no one can give basic easy on all these forums. The input sensor is screwed into the front side of the transmission located at the bottom of the transmission dip stick. Its yellowish plastic. The output sensor looks identical & it is located about a foot & a half to the right of the input sensor. The difference between the two is the input sensor has thin threads & the output has thick threads. You can disconnect the cables & use a big socket to get them out.. Just below the input sensor is a big box mounted to the transmission with wires going into it. That is the shift solenoid & it is mounted with 3 bolts. Looking straight down at it they screw in straight down directly behind it. You may have to pull off the rubber casing to get at them. If u r changing the solenoid u have to remove the input sensor first to get it out.

l have a 96 avenger, same transmission & in the last 3 days l have changed both sensors & the solenoid. My problem remains. l get no check engine light & all my guages work fine. Goes into limp-in mode after about 20 miles driving. Key off & back on resets & shifts fine, until l decellerate & it kicks back into limp-in.

My next move is to either flush out the tranny & change the screen, or reprogram the TCM. Im undecided which l will try next. My fluid looks clean so Im leaning towards TCM. Autozone plugged in scanner & there were no errors in the PCM. Stated if there is no check engine light then there will be no error codes. Oreileys states code readers dont pick up transmission errors. What the F ever. It seems my TCM & PCM r not communicating with eachother. Also worth noting is that although it does not drop to 2nd gear while on the interstate above 40mph l can tell when its about to go into limp-in mode because it feels like bad gas or missfiring. Sure enough when l get to my exit & apply the break it goes into limp & l have to keep resetting by shifting to neutral & turning off the key & back on.