Symptoms of torque converter failure?

Can anyone tell me what the symptoms would be of torque converter failure?

I have a 96 Windstar that idles perfectly in park but stalls immediately when put in reverse or drive. They have checked the TRS (or neutral safety switch) this morning and it's fine. The man that is working on it is stumped with this one but he says it's like the transmission is "locking up" when put into reverse or drive. It's fine when you put the gear shift in 1st or 2nd gear as well.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I've never seen or had this happen to me, but it does sound like your torque converter may be locked up.

During normal operation at higher speeds, the torque converter "locks up" to provide a direct connection between the engine and transmission; this leads to better gas milage (no slippage in the converter that allows your engine to idle in reverse/drive, ect). From the sounds of it, yours never unlocked :(

Take this with a grain of salt, though.

Thanks. If it is locked up would it still be able to drive normally when the gear shift is in 1st and 2nd gear?