Originally Posted by
Jonathan
The real damage comes from continuing to drive it after, or while, it's failing. If it fails and starts to feel like it's slipping, giving you no power in a gear, or revving really high when you press the gas like it's in neutral, continuing to drive it will damage components inside that will need the rebuild to correct.
So, advice? If you get some of these things happening hinting yours has failed, put it back in the garage (towed home unless you're right around the corner) and fix it before driving more.
Do you know for certain your shift computer has never been worked on? I think you just got your car, right?