2001 Hyundai Tiburon - won't shift but drives like a bat out if Hell - ideas?

[Goztrider]

I've had this car for awhile, and kinda pushed it to the back burner because I got irritated with it, but I'm finally trying to get it finished and sold. But first....

2001 Hyundai Tiburon. 2.0/auto. 139xxx miles.

Bought it with a severely leaking water pump, so no test drive. Replaced water pump and timing belt since the pump was behind the belt, replaced front struts and AC compressor, and added 4 new tires. Slick, clean little car. Peppy as hell, but....

Car is a bit sluggish off the line, but will run and drive great. 5500 rpm at 75mph. Don't feel it shift out at all - like may be it pulls out in 22nd gear and just stays there. Turning the OD button off at speed make no difference. Manually shifting (L/2/D) makes zero difference. Start in low and it is still sluggish, and once the motor starts to wrap out changing gears makes no difference.

Have changed the TCM and the TPS thinking either of those might make a difference but to no avail. Has no trouble codes showing and no SEL/SES/CEL on. Just a bit of an exhaust leak but if it's not throwing codes, I wouldn't think it makes any difference.

At this point I'm leaning towards the trans being bad, but something keeps nagging at me making me want to lean towards a shit solenoid or something like that.

Any help would be appreciated.

[T-Bukit]

I just heard this from a guy at work with a similar problem. He got his truck up to about 50 and jammed it into park. He said he did that three times and now it shifts fine. Anybody ever heard of doing that? I'm not suggesting you do it, I'm just telling you what my buddy did.

[Goztrider]

That'll strip and break stuff internally more than anything. Never a good idea to throw an automatic into park while moving.

[Bluedot]

Well I heard the other way 'round. Car stopped, put it neutral, floor the accelerator to valve float, and grab a handful of Drive. I'm not suggesting you do it, just telling you what I heard.

[T-Bukit]

I told him I would never do that to one of my cars and he came in this morning and said its acting up again. Didnt mean to hi jack your thread.