When was the last time you did routine maintenance like sparkplugs, air filter, transmission fluid, etc? These can impact performance as they age and wear/deteriorate.
Sounds like the sensor for first gear.
The transmission comes with a shift sensor for each shift: if 4 shift, 4 sensor (including reverse).
Have somebody check the sensors and the cpu for the tranny. They go hand to hand.
Get a Chiltons/Haynes repair manual for this make/model/year. It has a procedure with pics for doing mount r&r and can tell you the most common mistakes people make when doing this procedure. The troubleshooting guide can also lead you down repair paths you might not have thought of.
At the column, where the lock set goes into. There be a small hole or slot. Turn the key to the run position(sometimes slightly past) and insert a paper clip/ small screwdriver in the hole and push down as you pull out the lock set. The lock set has a spring loaded tab in it to keep it from coming out.