2007 Dakota trans question

I have a 2007 dodge dakota with 170,000 miles. The trans was shifting fine as I was driving. Then all of a sudden it wouldnt shift. It stayed in 3rd gear. It wont down shift or up shift by itself. Fells like only 2nd ,3rd and reverse are working. To get home I would start in 2nd and then go to 3rd. Any thoughts what it could be before I go to the trans shop.Thanks for your help.

Something has it in limp in mode. You may be able to cycle key on,off,on,off,on,off,on and get a trouble code from it

Yes it sounds to be in limp mode. They use an electronic gov and we did have some problems with the gov solenoid and pressure sensors as I have replaced my fair share. They also use an output shaft speed sensor so the PCM knows the driveshaft speed. But it could also be something else. A good shop can check it with a scanner and the normal trans testing. Its still a hydraulic auto but has the electronic gov that has the PCM (computer) control gov pressure and the trans shifting. It also still uses a cable opperated throttle pressure. And as was said it may have set a code but they dont always set a code. You can read the gov pressure on a scanner and compare it to a mechanical gauge if you have one and hook it up. Any good trans shop should be able to diagnose it for you and tell you what it needs. Ron

You know I may have jumped the gun here. What eng is it ? If its a 3.7 or 4.7 it will have a fully electronic trans the 45RFE as I was thinking it has the 42RE. Ron