as of the last two months, my 95 Tracer has an issue where I cannot seem to get it above 2nd gear, so if I attempt highway driving (which luckily I don't have to do for work or school very often) I cannot get above 55-60 mph, without my rmps skyrocketing. If I want to keep them under 3000, I cant drive above around 55. I assumed it was a transmission problem and would hate to have to replace the tranny for 800+ bucks but a friend of mine said it might be the o2 sensors, does anybody have any advice for troubleshooting?

 

Definately not an oxygen sensor causing your problem. Unless you are knowledgable about transaxles, it needs a trip to the tranny shop. You've checked the fluid I imagine, did it smell burnt? Is it acting up in other ways? Reverse okay? Try shifting it manually? Anyway, you should do something because you're throwing a beating on your engine commuting around in 2ND gear. 800 bucks ain't bad for a trans r and r.

 

^Yeah, thats def not an O2 sensor. O2 sensors are in your exhaust and sense the air/fuel ratio going through to make sure ur not running too rich or lean. As you can see, nothing to do with the tranny... I wouldn't ask your friend for any more car advice if I were you. I've been there... Anyway, back to your problem. It sounds to me like it's your VSA sensor or speed sensor or maybe even your ECU. Try reseting the ECU by unplugging the battery for about 10 minutes and see if shifts right again. If it was a direct problem of the tranny, you would know. i.e, very rough shifts, gear slipping, metal shavings in your fluid. BTW, tranny rebuilds are usualy around 2k... I woudn't trust someone to rebuild my tranny for $800.. Haha. Not sure about American cars though. Probably cheaper.