My 92 Acura had trouble starting the other day. The car turned over, but wouldn't start until the fourth or fifth try. During this time, the S3 light was flashing with the P so I'm assuming it was stuck in a higher gear or something. When I drove it (after it finally started), it lacked pick-up and the tak was hovering under 1 so I still felt like I was stuck in a higher gear.

After a diagnostic, the mechanic told me I needed four new cylinoids and a new relay switch, but he wasn't confident that this was the problem.

So in addition to a question about the flashing S3, I am wondering if I really need to replace the cylinoids and relay since it seems to be more of a transmission issue.

 

So I did find some other posts with similar issues:

Stuck in high gear
Flashing S3
Won't start after being in the sun

So I'm guessing that I'll follow the mechanic's advice and get them fixed since the other posts blamed the sylinoid and relay. Strange how that affects the gears though--why would that be?

 

there is a lock-out solenoid on automatic transmissions. im not too familiar but if it should fail, it will prevent the car from being driven (in your case - fast). YOU MAY be able to disable it by finding the solenoid connector and disconnecting it. that may free up your tranny - worked on my friends 91 cavalier