2001 Protege w/ 173,000 mi

While driving at freeway speed SOMETIMES the speed drops to ~50 mph and the RPMs soar to 5000-6000. If you back off the accelerator, it sometimes goes to normal. If you turn the engine off and restart, it's normal. Very intermittent for 3-4 weeks now.

CEL comes on and gives codes for random misfire, O2 sensor; not trans codes. Changed plugs, still there.

Just yesterday, the 6-month old battery drains and I have to jump it.

Any help?

Thanks a heap,
-jbb

 

It would help a great deal if you would tell us which transmission type your car has, Automatic or Manual.

 

Sorry, automatic.

-jbb

 

Sounds like you have a transmission issue; could be something as simple as low fluid to something as severe as to require a rebuild/replacement of the transmission. It might be time to consult a professional; this typically isn't something you can diagnose over the internet.

 

I did exactly that. One shop here in Podunk kept it two days and said "I dunno". The service dept at dealership in a bigger town kept it 5 days and said "I dunno. $138 please." So I took it to a Pop & Mom transmission shop; they fixed it in 4 hrs.

There were some frayed wires in the shift **** for the OD switch. They were shorting out and causing bad electrical signals. At least I think it fixed it, the problem was intermittent; it hasn't happened since but we'll see.

-jbb