S13 auto tranny, sticking in 1st gear, any idea?

[Fred Allen Burge]

I have a 93 S13 w/auto tranny. It will stick in first gear and won't shift up until I turn the car off and then back on, then it will be fine. It does this reliably at the second stop sign that I get to every day, not the first, the second. Then (after I turn in off/on)it will be fine for the rest of the drive home. Also, occasionally it will drop out of 4th on the highway and won't go back up until I turn the car again off/on. The fluid has been changed, an aftermarket cooler installed (by previous owner) and fluid checked recently.

I doubt a lot of you have autos anymore but does anyone have any input on this?

thanks,
Fred

[P_856]

are u sure its 1st gear and not 3rd mines did this and i couldnt figure out y until i read about fail safe mode it means one of the sensors is messed up and the ecu jams it in 3rd gear so you wont mess up your trans also does ur speedo worked mines ended being the VSS/speed sensor