Ford Transit 1997 Camper Auto gearbox problem

[AliveinU]

I have a 1997 2.5 Diesel Automatic Ford Transit Campervan. We've only had it a short time and I'm not a mechanic. The problem is that it's really difficult to engage reverse and drive (even when the selection indicator shows them as selected). It becomes a bit easier as the van warms up. We had an automatic specialist look at it and they say the gear cable (Ford Part 6516529) has worn and needs replacing, but also that there's sideways movement in a rod inside the gearbox case which shouldn't be so and is more serious. They say they don't work with these gearboxes anymore. Milage is only 44,000 miles.
Any advice on what we could do or where we could take it for help would be appreciated. We're in North Essex/Colchester
Thank you

[cherniy_chack]

AliveinU,the repair of the automatic gearbox is very expensive and there are not enough specialists to repair them.
You can look for such a box on the "dismantling" or install a mechanical box MT75.
If you install MT75, you will need to change the attachment of the pendulum bearing of the propshaft in such a way that the shaft does not have a kink. The shaft must be installed to one line.

[DodgeRover]

Have you checked the level of fluid in the gearbox? Does it drive ok once into gear? It sounds more like a stuff or siezed selector mechanism than anything inside the box? Can you select 2,3 ok?