Will speed sensor not let 97 dodge caravan change into higher gears?

A faulty speed sensor on a 1997 Dodge Caravan can absolutely prevent it from shifting into higher gears. The transmission relies on the speed sensor's input to determine the appropriate gear for the vehicle's speed and engine load. If the sensor is malfunctioning or providing inaccurate data, the transmission's computer (PCM) may not be able to calculate the correct shift points, resulting in the vehicle staying in lower gears or struggling to shift at all. This often manifests as delayed shifting, rough shifting, or the inability to shift into higher gears.