If sounds like it might be in "limp" mode. This is where the transmission control unit detects a problem and then places the transmission in 2nd gear in order to protect the transmission and still allow you to "limp" into a shop for repairs.
Is the engine light on? If so, then you should take to a shop, the dealer, or find a parts store in your area to scan it for codes. Many parts suppliers like Autozone will scan you car for free. Most of the time this kind of issue is due to a bad input or output speed sensor on the transmission.
These sensors are what the control unit needs to read in order to determine when to shift. If the signal is lost, the controller gets confused and to keep the transmission from being in 2 gears at once the controller defaults to 2nd gear so you can still get it to a shop. The reason this is done is because if you were ever in 2 gears at once, it would be a catastrophic failure for the transmission.
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Has it been tested for fault codes?
is the check engine light on?
Hey thanks hotrodshop. Oddly enough the engine light is on, but it was ON pryor to this instance, as I just got the van back from the dealer having the instrument cluster worked on. The van drove home fine and sat for a few days before the tranny started acting up. In car years, it's probably as old as me, so looks like problems are starting to creep in big time. lol
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