Ok. I do believe I now have transmission problems. Drove the Bronco to Harbor Freight about 2 weeks ago. Drove fine there and back. At a stoplight close to my house, trans acted like it was trying to start out in 2nd or 3rd gear.....then jumped into drive and got home with no more issues. I dropped the fluid and filter. Filter was packed full of material and what looked like moldy crud! The pan was kind of nasty but no metal on magnet. I also drained the torque converter. I put new filter and fluid and trans was shifting with no problems. (Lucas Trans Fluid) I did notice a "whining/whirring" sound when coming to a stop. On a trip to the store, trans jumped into drive after backing out of driveway. Now trans has a metallic rattling/grinding noise at slow speeds when slowing to a stop or starting from a stop.

Just a little history....Bronco sat for about three years. Fluid wasn't bad looking at all and didn't smell burnt. (Not sure newer fluids can smell burnt!) I have service records showing trans was rebuilt in the past. ($2000 receipt)

Any advice??? Dig a hole??? Get a can of gasoline??? Gee, I wonder if it's too late to ask Santa for a new transmission???