I figure it's probably time to take it to the shop, but I thought I'd run it by you guys. I know there are some mechanics/gearheads on here, so I figured I'd ask.

So, I Bought a 1988 bronco 2 a couple weeks ago. It has the much maligned A4LD tranny.

I picked it up by TCU, drove it to west 7th area, had lunch then drove it to the gf's right around eagle mountain. Drove perfect, smooth shifts, no clunking. I used reverse, no problem there. Park it for an hour at her house, get back in it to run to autozone, and it won't shift out of 1st. Reverse is good, I can shift it to second, but if I shift back to drive it goes back to first. Before I take it to the shop, I'm curious if it's something simple that I can fix myself. I've always been under the impression that a transmission will go out over time, did I just happen to buy it right before it's last twenty minutes of use? Seems unlikely, but I guess it could be the case.

I bought it from a good friend, he had driven it every day to work for the past 3 months. I trust him when he says he's had no issues.

Known issues with the A4LD that cause this are:
Bad modulator, I checked the vacuum line to the modulator, and there was no fluid. Which typically means it's good.

Sticking governor, I haven't checked this, but everything I've read said that if the governor is sticking it will typically only do it when cold. Mine wont shift even once it's warm.

Outside of that, it's band adjustments and stuff which I don't want to do.

I mean, it's almost like I hit a switch when I got out of it at my gf's house.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading and thanks for any advice. Oh, and fluid level is good and correct fluid is being used.

You can try replacing the modulator but it's a shot in the dark.

Sometimes when the emergency brake is on the car won't move.

says who?

I got nuttin, automatics are one aspect I never tried to learn about too much.

it lost vacuum to the modulator

It does sound like a vacuum leak.

I can see/feel the line coming off the modulator, it's going towards the back of the transmission. Where does it terminate, and what creates the vacuum?

Go to O'reilley's and borrow a vacuum gauge. Take a reading and start replacing hoses until you get the vacuum back. The engine needs to be idling. If it already has vacuum, you're probably hosed.

88 bronco 2, huh? best possible choice, 1. call tow truck 2. haul to dump 3. buy one with a working transmission

eh, worst case scenario it goes to hunting lease and spends the rest of it's life in 2nd gear. When that goes, like the bonafide okie I am, I'll spray paint it and make it a blind.