1995 3spd transaxle

I stopped at a stoplight and when I tried to move my van would not move at all. I tried shifting down to 1st but nothing. After approx. 5 min. I tried again and it drove with no problems. Over the next couple of weeks I noticed a slip going from 1-2 and my transaxle was getting HOT. I have changed the fluid (+3) and filter. I pulled cooling loop to drain torque converter and cycled fluid through till it came out clean. I can drive the van with NO problems as long as I manually shift fron 1-2-D. Is this doing harm? How long can I continue driving like this? Could this be no more that a simple adjustment since I can drive it fine as long as I manually shift? The van has approx. 61000 miles and no unusual service code comes up when I cycle the key.

Thank you.

if you start out in D,, there is no movement ?? but shift to mannual
low then 2nd,then D,,,it's ok??? If you stop,, you must repeat the
process ??? Is this is correct??? How much "trash" was in the pan???

A lot of sludge. Also the ATF seemed very thin and burnt. Not a lot of metal flakes or solids. Thanks for the reply, sorry to take so long to get back but I work nights.

A lot of sludge. Also the ATF seemed very thin and burnt. Not a lot of metal flakes or solids. Thanks for the reply, sorry to take so long to get back but I work nights.
Yes, I must repeat the process everytime I stop or I slip.

there are several things that could be wrong,,,,all of them require the
trans to be taken out and looked at. The "413" 3 spd is not a real HD
transaxle,,,,and if it has had a hard life,,,,"tranny-in-a-can",,,,,is not
going to solve the problem.. There won't be much for codes,,,the valve
body in the trans is mostly hydraulic,,with minimal amount of electronics.
The oil will be thin if you installed mopar+3,,check oil reccomondations
on dipstick,,,,this should be using dextron III or mercron III,,,unless you are in a really cold climate,,,either way ,,the oil won't be the issue.

foreward clutch is probably damaged,,not much friction material in there

Thak you for all the replies.

T.