heres an example:
1989-90 Econoline 4x4 A/T has factory OD 150K ,not serviced regularly,which may mean...never!

Just yesterday I noticed when driving on the street, if I shift down into first when coming up to a stop sign, it no longer seems to down shift into 1st gear.
Likewise if i start in 1st its like Im starting in 2nd. So..no first gear it seems.
BUT,

Here's what happens when Im on my driveway,a 10% grade, and at a stop.
From a stand still, I put the colum shifter in 1st , no matter the throttle given it wont go fwd ( up hill)
Its really an intermittant occurance.

If I put it in reverse and then back in to 1st it then usually moves forward up the hill like its supposed to.
If Im on flat ground ,it always moves fwd if i put it in 1st gear .
All other shifts are normal.
Reverse is normal.
In "DRIVE",the 1st gear works fine.

Does this sound like a major rebuild issue or not?
Fluid seems full.

 

Change your fluid. Good change that will fix it. I had those symptoms on a truck once (I accidentally drained some fluid from the trans... Dealer refused to put new fluid in... sealed trans. Stupid Toyota.) Anyway, got a 4th opinion and eventually found a dealer who would do a simple flush and fill. Cleared the problem right up.

 

Oh thanks,that gives me some hope.