My wife thinks I’m nuts but a think her old honda use to have a lock up torque convert which felt almost like a higher gear.
Well, it doesn’t do it anymore so, I’m I really nuts?
It did.
BTW, if your thermostat is getting worn out, engine running cooler than it used to, that would be why it’s not working.
You have the right year here…LXI was NOT offered in 96…It was in 87…In 96…it was DX…LX or EX