Hi my friend, yes, indeed i checked as per your suggestion and everything is normal with respect to the column shifter and linkage.
I did discover that the voltage in the "engine revolution speed signal circuit" (green/white wire #24 @ ETCU) is way off spec. To be precise, it is reading 0.02 volts when it should be .9-4.5v with ingition on and engine off.
Checking the circuit diagram for the car, I see that this wire is linked directly to the ECU.... which leads me to believe that it is probably the sensor under the hood which has gone bad? But for some reason teh RPM gauge on teh dash appears to be working ok>? Would it not malfunction if the speed sensing circuit was not working right?
I also stopped by a local trasnmission place and they offered a "free diagnosis" which basically entailed waitin 30 mins for this guy to drive my car for 2 mins and come back with "O, its stuck in limp mode! Electrical problem. You have to leave it with us for a few hours so we can check it further. You will be charged at our reg hourly rate for diagnosis, repair and whatever parts"
So.... I came home and opened her up and staretd checking things out meself.... so this is basically where I stand now!
Seems like this happens to quite a few ppl so someone should know at least what direction i should take from here!
The tranny fluid is good as new (e.g. clean, not burnt or containing debris etc) and its not like it shifts rough or some gears grind etc.... just stuck in 3rd.... some electrical prob as far as i can tell....but where to go from here?
any ideas?