When merging on to the interstate my car accelerates smoothly all the way up to about 5k rpm then it pauses there for roughly 2 secs and sometimes 3 secs then shifts. But it will not rev past that point unless I'm in park or neutral. I'm not trying it in reverse though lol.

About 3 months ago there was a small hole in the little hose near the oil pressure sensor that was squirting out transmission fluid. So I replaced it and kept adding half a quart at a time and drove around my neighborhood a few times until it was full.

 

5AT I'm assuming... What happens when you dry rev? In neutral, rev to redline, does it do this normally? Also, DE or HR and how many miles? If it's what I'm thinking, and I hope not, you might be in better shape to part out and get a new one. Typically cheaper depending on what you use her for. Thanks.

 

Today I went out to test it a little more and the problem only exists when the the engine and transmission are hot. It's my DD and yes it revs to red line in any gear but once the transmission gets hot it only revs to red line in park or neutral.

Codes:
P0011 Intake Valve Timing Control Performance Bank 1
P0550 Power Steering Pressure Sensor Circuit Malfunction

2003 5at just a ztube

 

Sounds like a timing issue which would most likely be cam/crank sensor issues. Replace them and see if it fixes the problem