Can anyone tell me what the problem could be and if it may need rebuilding or a transmission.

1996 200sx se-r (automatic)

It was running fine and I let one of my friends drive cause I was a little too drunk this weekend (better safe than sorry).
My friend said he was in 2nd gear so I'm wondering if that may have anything to do with it?

Symptoms: Whenever I drive, after it shifts from 1st to 2nd it can't seem to shift into 3rd. After it shifts into 2nd and I try to accelerate it just revs high without any acceleration until hitting 5500 and above.

It happend once on the freeway suddenly, I was climbing in 2nd and it seemed like it was going to shift to third but at a little less then 3000 it suddenly seemed like it slipped out of gear or something. Overdrive was on and it seemed like I was basically reving in neutral. I tried giving it more gas and up at around 6000 it started to move.

Now I can really only drive in 2nd because in D it will just continue to slip.

:confused:
I hope someone out there has an idea. I hate automatic transmission. It's no fun, especially when it screws up.

Moderator Edit: Don't post about street racing here....

looks like its time for your "friend" to pay for an auto to manual swap :D

Not an auto man but it sounds like your bands. I think thats what there called are slipping. Happened in my wifes car. If I was you I would change the tranny fluid and filter if it has one right away. It might solve your problem. It did for me.

So you think just changing the filter and tranny fluid would do the trick... I sure hope so, the car's only at 81,000, hopefully it won't need to be rebuilt.

once fixed you should also invest in the tranny oil cooler...
it should give your tranny double the life...

Change the fluid and filter. If it still does it you will be better off getting a used tranny than getting yours fixed.

i agree with AaronNX

if you have to get a new tranny depending on where you are at they can run from 200.00-700.00