Limp Home mode? :S

[FordFan86]

This morning, on the way to tafe, started the car went to pic the 2nd chic up to give her a lift (ended up driving off after revving it to 4k outside her house) the trans was fine on the way there and then to the main road, i accelerated to ~70k and i hear this hollow winding noise/ hard to describe, anyway i backed off and went up again, same noise, so i took it easy for a little. Noticed the revs were sitting a little high, got pulled up at a set of lights. I took off and i noticed it was very sluggish, WOT and it very slowly climbs to 3k rpm. I think oh **** whats wrong, im locked in 3rd. Change down to 1st, up to 2nd and into drive, revs stayed where they were, no gear change at all. So im thinking shit. Anyway, turn the cruise button off (normally hit on when i get in the car) thinking no point using that when i get to the 80 zone, a few seconds later i change thru the gears again, and it seems i now have drive back. On the way home from tafe... all 4 gears, pefect, if not better than ever. I'm trying to work out how and why this happened? :\
(it's the damn chic with the ****ed trans in VR calais 5 litre cauzing this i swear )
EDIT: about 2 weeks ago i said to myself may as well get my trans serviced sometime, just clicked 200,000k and then i'll know it's done... weird how this just happened today lol

[fairmont1998]

It may be the inhibitor switch, move the shifter into 1st and accelerate from a standstill gently, if the trans changes out of 1st the inhibitor switch is faulty.

[FordFan86]

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

It may be the inhibitor switch, move the shifter into 1st and accelerate from a standstill gently, if the trans changes out of 1st the inhibitor switch is faulty.

Ok, thanks i will try that probably on friday when drive the car next.

[EB6]

so have a changed ya trans fluid yet or not, that can ahve a huge thing on how ya car goes.

[FordFan86]

Ok, dad took it out for a spin with me... gear changes perfect, redlined in 1st no probs didn't change he thinks i just had enough throttle to hold it in 3rd while i was changing thru the gears, but no cauz i braked for roundabouts etc. It was weird, i'm just going to get it booked in for a service. What's that involve and how much? Fluid, filter, clean magnets... do they adjust the bands on the BTR? :S

[ilsautomotive]

I understand there is more than 1 type of service, so when you get a quote be sure to ask what it includes.

[EDXR8]

Originally Posted by FordFan86

What's that involve and how much? Fluid, filter, clean magnets... do they adjust the bands on the BTR? :S

Yep, new fluid, filter and adjust bands. Some places do complete fluid replacements which cost a fair bit more and a good idea if the fluid is burnt or the service is overdue.

[EB6]

make sure they do a complete flush of the fluid, about 60% of its in the torque converter and ya cant get that out by just droppin the pan on the trans. the ford tq stuff cost me at trade about $20 for 4L and ya need up to 12 to do it properly so be ready for an expensive fluid change.

[Aaron_EF8]

It's roughly $180 for a full flush/service which is recommended. Some places can do an ECU test and tell you what the problem was that caused the car to go into LHM.

[FordFan86]

Ok, just got off the phone with an auto place, Includes filter change, 2 band adjustments etc, $103 for that, and a flush at ~$56 if it is needed (ie really filthy in the pan) booked in for monday after next