Basically, my transmission used to CONSTANTLY lock to 3rd (limp mode), even after a servcice, and a recent scan confirms solenoids one and seven need to be replaced. However, as I have very little money, I got desperate and just kicked the car's a** on the way home one night, forcing the trans into kickdown whenever I could. Since then, it hasn't locked to limp mode even once. It still revs to about 2100-2700 before changing up a gear, but the limp mode issue is all but gone. I'm wondering why this is, and whether me pushing the car quite hard was able to remedy it somehow (sort of like hitting the TV when it doesn't want to work.)

Maybe you cleared a blockage ??