The low engine performance and check engine lights come on. Once when this happened the car would not move forward, only backward. When I hit the accelerator while in drive, the rpm gauge did not move. After about an hour the car ran as if nothing had happened.

Grab the fan blade and move it forward and backwards. If it is hitting something it will be fairly loose. Also check wiring harnesses, they can come loose and hit the fan blade. After that start listening under the car. Bad bearings/rod knock.

It stands for "Manual". It allows you to shift gears manually, without a clutch, for those performance oriented drivers. You can also use it to stay in low gear for climbing steep hills or driving in snow. Once you shift into "M" by moving the stick to the left of the "D" position, you should see a number "1" just above the "M", letting you know you're in first gear. Pushing the stick forward or backward shifts gears.

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Hello
When the service engine soon light a yellow light (Also called the check engine light or engine management light) is turned on this is to alert you to the fact that Powertrain Control Module (computer) has detected a failure somewhere in the systems it controls you may not feel any difference in the way the engine runs, this can be the transmission or the engine or emission system, there are fault codes set in the modules memory for these faults. What needs to happen now is to have the powertrain control module scanned with a special tool called an OBD2 electronic engine control scanner or a OBD2 code reader. Once the code(s) are read then you must perform the diagnostics for each code and make the appropriate repairs based on the findings of the diagnosis that was performed, this is called doing "Pinpoint" testing.

Hello
When the service engine soon light (Also called the check engine light or engine management light) is turned on this is to alert you to the fact that Powertrain Control Module (computer) has detected a failure somewhere in the systems it controls you may not feel any difference in the way the engine runs, this can be the transmission or the engine or emission system, there are fault codes set in the modules memory for these faults. What needs to happen now is to have the powertrain control module scanned with a special tool called an OBD2 electronic engine control scanner or a OBD2 code reader. Once the code(s) are read then you must perform the diagnostics for each code and make the appropriate repairs based on the findings of the diagnosis that was performed, this is called doing "Pinpoint" testing.

Check sway bar linkage.

not sure on your year but check the modulator on the transmission. remove the vacuum line at the modulator and see if there is any tranny fluid there. if the there is change the modulator.

check transmission fluid first.if its low add to get correct level.if transmission fluid look dark smells burnt replace fluid and filter.if car still dont move forward.looks like you have bad worn out forward clutch plates and seals.also bad transmission oil pump.you need a overhaul or new transmission.

Check the fuse box for a blown fuse, both seats may operate on one fuse depending on the model of vehicle and the fuse may be located either under the dash on the drivers side or in the engine compartment on the drivers side.

take the car to the trasmission guy, have them check it out.
you may have burn the troque converter.

Its sounds like the axle cv joint about $70 for part