2003 malibu 3.1, not shifting into 3rd gear?

Question

I bought a 2003 malibu that had a blown head gasket with 130k miles I replaced head gaskets and intake manifold gaskets, thermostat, spark plugs, etc. the engine runs great now even the a/c. My first test drive I noticed that I was going 50mph and my rpm up to 4000-4500, I paid more attention to the shifting of the car and realized that it wasn't going into 3rd gear, no overheating at all, no pulls or slips, shifts nice into reverse and park neutral works. Any ideas of what can it be??? I was thinking the shift solenoids? Not sure how many it has, I was reading sometimes fuel filter does this, speed sensor?

Comments

Could it be just the transmission fluid level?

Answer 1

A lot of problem with these transmission is the forward sprag, it risky just to replace the sprag