If you are able to connect on rare occasions. The odds are it is on your ISP end. Either they are blocking or shaping P2P traffic or there is a firewall that is not configured properly. Try setting LimeWire to higher ports.

http://www.gnutellaforums.com/attach...7&d=1145212675

i configured my firewall anyways and still the same thing. it worked for a few minutes it got up to 3 bars then disconnected. i am begining to think it is my ISP i'll talk to them on monday but if it is my ISP is there any way to get around that?

Like Grandpa said, you could try changing ports. There's no guarantee it will work but you could give it a shot! Some more info here
Alternative Ports

i tried changing different ports but it didnt work. ah well guess i'll just talk to my ISP see what the deal is if its on their end or what but thanks for all your help

Try using some of the higher numbered ports. Try between 50,000 and 60,000 just try different numbers. Sometimes they don't block the higher ports. With LimeWire open go to Tools/Options/Advanced/Firewall config choose Manuel port forward and put the number you want in the box. Also set the listing port to the same number. But I think your ISP may be supplying you with a firewall that needs to be configured. I do not know what the other kind of protection they are referring to in the screen shot I provided above is. But it may be a firewall.

http://www.gnutellaforums.com/attach...7&d=1145212675

I must really be getting slow. 2 replys while I typed out 1:D

Sometimes just keeping the connection port to upnp & the listening port to a higher port does the trick. Safest ports are 49152 - 65535 for example, 64049.
But after making changes, you may need to reconnect or disconnect & reconnect within LW whilst waiting a minute in between.