Chrysler Repair: 97T&C Transmission fails when turned off warm, solenoid pack, real diagnosis

Question
I have a 1997 T&C with AWD. It drives great, shifts well, and does not slip, or at least from what I can tell. I have worked on many vehicles and own a Ranger that has a tranny that slips so have moderate knowledge. The transmission seems to work great, shifts well as long as you do not turn the vehicle off. You can leave it in park and running, shift from forward to reverse, and in between as much as you want. But as soon as the van is warm and you turn the ignition off it will not go back into any forward gear, always will shift into reverse though. It either has to cool back down, or sometimes after playing with the gear shifter going in and out of reverse, neutral and drive it may decide to go into drive. I have taken it to two different shops and they both say the tranny is no good, just by putting it on a scanner, no real diagnosis. This does not seem like an issue that needs a complete overhaul. What may cause this issue, not going into gear, only when warm? And why would it only happen after turning the van off? I turned the van off and disconnected the battery thinking this would reset the TCM if that was the problem and it did not fix it. What do I do? I have changed the oil and filter and the output sensor, I have the input sensor but have not installed it yet.  Thanks Ryan

Answer
Hi Ryan,
I would suspect something having to do with the solenoid pack or the valve body, both of which can be serviced without removing the transmission. I am not able to give you a specific suggestion though as to why the warm/cold issue happens. Did either shop tell you the fault code numbers? If so, what are they, if not how about getting them? Autozone parts stores will do it for free. Knowing a code would be more likely to give us some direction. Don't disconnect the battery just before reading the codes as that erases the codes (except for a 1684 which says 'battery disconnected').
Roland