gear issues with automatic Asta

[The GasGroupie]

Hi, I'm driving an Opel Astra (1.4i GL, Automatic, 1995). The car has no power steering, appears to have no ABS or other systems alike (ESP, TCS) and has several issues, mostly regarding the gearbox.
First I must mention that all these little malfuctions are very irregular: they appear and dissappear, apperantly not occuring after the car had a run the same day, but not nessecarly in that pattern.

In the morning the car often kicks in hard to second gear, and the downshift is also felt. Giving that I start it off easily, and even let go of the gas for a second, it goes smoothly. I know second gear ratio is the one a 4-ratio automatic gearbox (planetary) finds hardest to generate, but what can be the specific problem?(not asking for exact solution through the internet, though)
Another problem is that the car shakes very hard when stopped, and from time to time an instant and momentarly change in RPM can be felt, in times with additional noise (there is no RPM display in the dashboard). additional demands of the alternator (AC or Lights, there is also no stereo) make the shakes harder, while idling in N or P decreases the shaking, which can still be disturbing. This phenomenon is also very irregular, is it the step motor?
Once or twice, starting the car resulted in gear control malfunction, presented on the dash by flashes of the sports mode indicator. The car went hard from gear to gear (out of P, from D to N or R and contra versa) and shoke hardly, drove hardly even in slow speed. an immediate shut down and restart resolved this.
There are no issues with the car's oiling or engine, though a lost of water occures although the tubes and seal have been replaced.

After this long description, just one more question, if I may: when does this car's torque converter locks-up?