Nissan Repair: 3.3L Nissan Engine with 4 sp auto transaxle, mercury villager, nissan engine

Question
I have 2001 Mercury Villager Sport with the above listed engine. Vehicle has new plugs/wires/rotor cap and tune-up. It has 75,000 miles. Engine runs great. Problem: this weekend started stalling when going from P to D or P to R with engine cold. After multiple attempts vehicle begins to move in R or D, but with no power. Then as if something breaks free (no sound) or warms-up, vehicle will shift perfectly. Drove it from Toledo to Lima (70 miles) without incident. In the morning engine cold -- same problem. Do the same thing with multiple attempts to get it to go and then something happens that allows the transaxle to shift normally. Garage is stumped. All electrical connections have been checked and ohms are within spec. Battery was disconnected to reset ECM. Transaxle has been flushed, conditioner and new fluid has been added. Old fluid was clear and red tinted (checked myself) no signs of sludge or overheating. When garage dropped pan they noted metal buildup on magnet. Can't say if it was abnormal. Now garage wants to put in $3500 Jasper reman. Any ideas? Thanks for your time.

Answer
Brad,

Sounds like the lock up torque converter is staying on causing the problem.  You might get lucky and it is just the actuator that locks the converter.  Go to a Cottman transmission shop or one of your choice and let them know that the torque converter seems to be hanging at idle and killing the engine.  Email me back and let me know how it goes.  I have had several do this...