2000 4 cylinder Stratus LE w/ AutoStick Automatic Transmission remains stationary after being put in drive or 1st gear of autostick. After struggling a bit and moving shift selector to different positions the car then starts to move. Fluid level is correct. Problem started to occur gradually. By contrast reverse has been responsive so far.

 

The shift lever is connected to the transaxle by a cable. Remove cable end. Make sure the transmission is in park. Move the lever to park. The two should align.

 

The OP's car has the AutoStick. It is controlled by a solenoid pack (TCM) attached to the top of the trans. The cable does not do much besides set the parking pin when in P.
I read it as the OP can drop it to A/S and put it in 2, and it will take off just fine, but when in 1 it delays. The A/S selection is down below D [p][r][n][d][a/s]

Memphis, did you have the car on level ground, RUNNING, in Park when you checked the fluid level? If it wasn't running, it will read much higher than normal as the fluid drains back to the pan when the car is turned off. If you checked it while off, re-check it, and add the proper fluid (ATF+4) to achieve the proper levels.

 

I know what's wrong and it has nothing to do with shifter, cable or electronics. but to absolutely pinpoint the exact problem, more information will be required which will require the use of a real scanner that can read some specific data.

There are many clues provided by to OP for my knowledge to apply a resolution and with a touch more info, I could determine the exact part of failure.

BTW, the shift linkage does a lot more than apply the parking pin. The solenoid pack is NOT the TCM. those are 2 separate items.

 

I stand corrected. I looked back at the receipts from when I had to replace the solenoid gasket, that it was labeled as the TCM gasket. I followed the wires from the solenoid to the TCM. Easy to see how I would confuse the names.

Would you mind sharing what you feel the issue actually is? Your expertise will certainly help the OP, and satisfy my curiousity at the same time.

And when we get some codes, we may know for sure?

 

I've got about 10 possible items, but i'm not about to throw arbitrary guesses out there because all the wrong speculations end up with someone calling me names and putting me down for being wrong. I'd rather say nothing than be wrong especially with the efforts I put in to make sure I'm right or on the right track.

Before I answer any post, I research the answer if I'm not absolutely sure. I also take a couple seconds to re-read my post for spelling because poor spelling shows a lack of care toward intelligence.