before I go get a remanufactured trans if I don't need to.
('98 3.8L FWD)

my trans symptoms are:

trans jerks like normal moving to reverse, like it wants to go, but no reverse gear.
less jerk motion when going into Drive. usually no forward gear.
sometimes if I rev it in fwd gear, car will move and jump quickly forward,
but then something locks up a split second later, and blocks the car from moving fwd -
(as if someone slams on the brakes.)
no gears in 2nd or 1st gear positions.....

i'm not clear... how do I tell if I have a torque converter problem (no coupling), or actual gearbox problem?

thanks.

 

I'm no expert but I think the fact that it locks up when it even get moving suggests that it is an actual gearbox problem. Pull the pan and look for large pieces of chunked metal.

 

Yeah it's a new tranny for you.
You might get some estimates from rebuilders first but I figure there ain't going to be much left to rebuild in the old transmission.