The only reason I need to look at my owner's manual is for the "fluids and capacities" section. Other than that, it's not very useful for me. But, I guess some people need it....

I took it to the shop and the diagnosis is... new tranny... fux im out of a car for a week lol... but yay i get a new transmission for free.

did ya get a manual?

they did not give me a choice lol i called them up and they had already ordered a new one... :(

got a new tranny woo woo. Drives a bit different, alot less jerky lol.

if it has warranty, you get a new tranny.

mazda doesn't overhaul anything anymore.

my guess, judging from the OD light, intermittent slipping and non-engagement, then complete engagement, was a bad selenoid body. the selenoid was stuck shut, and wouldn't provide fluid pressure to your clutch drum/reverse band and you couldn't get 1st gear or any other gear for that matter.