Transmission problems-- Help!

redmanlm

I have an automatic transmission, 5 speed, 3.2L, 4 cylinder with right over 200k miles. This car has been absolutely perfect for me. Unfortunately, the other night I was heading out and got about a half a mile away from my house when my transmission got stuck in third gear, or, rather wouldn't shift above third gear. I tried to switch into manual and shift it myself but the gear numbers went away when I put it in manual. I put it back into automatic and slowly headed back down the road. On the way the AT warning light came on. The transmission will shift back down to second and first gear no problem, but will not go over third. My dad read the code and it said that the "shift solenoid C" was stuck open. So we drained the fluid, which looked fine, and closed and reopened a few times the specific solenoid before putting it back into the transmission. Put new fluid back into the transmission and sealed up the gasket. After letting the sealant harden over night, we cleared the code and tried the car out. For the first mile everything went perfect, shifted well and on time and all the way to fifth gear. On the way back though, it would not shift above third gear. So we headed back home to ponder on what else could be wrong. I've read in some forums that the computer for the transmission may need to be replaced, also that the "A, C, B" shift solenoids could need to be replaced. I'm hoping that I won't have to get a new transmission, but was wondering if anybody else has had this type of problem. I'm supposed to be going to the beach next month and really need my car to be up and running by then, but don't have the money to take it to the dealership to be kept for weeks with no guarantee of being fixed. Please comment with some ideas for me!