Shifting Problem. Please Help Out

Hi
Need some help please. Have a Ford Contour 98, with AT. Something is going on with it, because i can only drive it in reverse (R) or when i shift it to gear 1, it will go but very slow, with applying higher RPM. Just quit on me 2 days ago. Shifting from neutral (N) to drive (D) or to gear 2, does nothing to it. I think there could be several things wrong with it, but i don't get it. It quits working in the middle of drivnig.
So, My question is, What should I get into first to fix my car ?

Thank You !!

Welcome to AF!

The first thing to check is the level of trnsmission fluid. Get the car up to operating temperature and leave it in park or neutral with the engine running. Check the fluid qauntity with the dipstick. Level should be between add and full mark. The more serious problem is why the tranny is low on fluid. Check for red oil spots under where you park the car.

if you let this go to long on sliping or reving up to try to go i would say you burnt up the automatic clutch bands? i would change filter and fluid in tranny. your tranny module could have went bad but like i say if you tryed pushing it to hard to try to get it to go i'd say then new tranny needed.

Yes, I think you need a new tranny or a tranny rebuilt. The piston clutch of 1st and 2nd gear may be damaged, so it slips.

The piston (servo) for 1st to 2nd gear may be bad because of bad line pressure to the clutch pack. If the discs in the clutch pack are worn excessively you need to consider a rebuilt transmission. Although a fluid change may help it will in no way be a solution to a remanufactured transmission.

Thanx for giving me some ideas guys !
I kind of was thinking that it could be the trany.. Had done the trany flush and new oil was put in it about 4 years ago. I will check on it, see how's my oil level.
Thanx again