i mentioned this problem a while ago now, then it only did it the once. ok i have an 6cyl EL fairmont ghia, i pulled into a shop after the car was at running temp turned off the engine came out started and reversed out, put it into drive. it then felt gutless, later found out it was in limp mode (3rd gear) it did it again a couple of weeks later, to fix it it only took a re start. a mate at work who used to work at a transmission joint mentioned about a sticky soleniod could cause it, ive also heard from here it could be the battery. i know its not the battery as today it did it after id been driving for a while, as i hit the freeway it stayed in 3rd! has anyone had this problem and was it serious or just a sticky soleniod as my mate suggested? also now cruising at 80km/h it kicks back fairly hard if you dump it, the throttle calibration has been done so i dont think its that.

had the same thing the other day, but it turned out to be one of the connections on my shift kit down near the ECU come loose. Car stayed in third all the time, but it i started the car again it would go through the gears but real hard, good thump, but then go back to third. thought i had blown my tranny doin burnouts!

i forgot to mention that i was told that it could be the selector switch on the auto is dirty, ill clean that and tell you how it goes.

It is not necessarily the battery however it may be a poor electical conection causing it. It has happened before to a mate of mine who owns a NA.

i had the same problem,, mine was the inhibitor switch