'97 Trans Problem

I have a '97 Trans Sport with a strange problem. The automatic transmission seems to think it's a manual. I have to put it in 1st gear and work my way up into D as I build speed, otherwise the RPMs kinda go a little nutty on me. I really don't know anything about cars or their inner workings, so I'm just curious if this is the beginning of potentially bad, potentially expensive, problem. Is it safe to drive it this way, or am I just wearing the transmission out? The van was given to my family (mother of 4 with one more on the way... kinda needed the extra seating. haha), so I'm not really sure how long the trans has been acting this way. I don't want to be out somewhere with the kids and have it just up and die on me. Any opinions are appreciated. Thanks.

I am not a trans guy, but you would want to look at your TPS-throttle position sensor, and scan your car for stored codes.

JRS3800 is knowledable, as well as LMP. You may want to send them a message...............good luck

sounds more like the trans is slipping, but its hard for me to say that without looking at it or getting a better description of what its doing...

When you select manual 1, you will have slightly higher line pressure and this may be enough to get the clutches to apply and hold... If it slips when you put it in D then you may have a pending failure happening...

Is the van still functional as in moving? any other issue you may have noticed?

Yes, the van moves fine. I really haven't had any problems out of it, but was told as a precaution to just keep it in 1st gear while going under 15-20 mph. I have noticed a couple times though a bit of a strange grinding noise when i apply the brakes. But it happens maybe once out of every ten times I brake. I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem or not. But other than these little slip-ups I've had absolutely no problem with it at all. No acceleration issues or anything.