I have the exact same car....year, model, engine, trans, etc. Does not "start in 2nd" Also, if the car started in 2nd, and everything was working properly, there would only be 2 shifts, i.e. 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th. Or, in the case of the car in question, only 1 shift from 2nd to 3rd....where it seems to want to hang out.

I'm gonna have another look at the car this weekend and be able to check things more thoroughly. Who knows, might find "something".

I greatly appreciate your input. Thanks for the advice.