Jeep Repair: 2000 grand Cherokee Limited 1st gear not engaging when pressing gas, sorry ken, grand cherokee

Question
Hello,

Hopefully someone will be able to answer the issue I am having. I appreciate your time for replying & giving any advice.

2000 Grand Cherokee / Automatice/ 2 whell drive / 6 cyl / 130k

The problem: I noticed 2 days ago when I would start out in drive - it was just not really moving like it was / felt like the brakes were on holding it. it would after about 2-3 second go into gear - I assume second - and drive. Nothing has changed in the last few days so I went to a service center to have them look at it Goodyear - (note- I have had a few things done hear at a reasonable price - thought I would have them look at it as I needed an oil change as well) - they called me and said this was the problem:

The car was not starting out in first gear. It was going into second (the hesitation). They said it was ok to start out in first gear - that worked fine - but did not give specifics on why it needed to be replaced.  I did not trust this answer.

Their solution: A rebuilt or new transmission.

Cost quoted: 2,500 - 3,500 price range.

I have taken care of this vehicle and understand things go wrong - I was hoping that I could get other possiblities of fixing this issue - maybe sensors, things to have checked before paying for new transmission, etc.  I am not a mechanic and will have to have someone work on this from the begiing to the end.

Anyone that can help me on this issue - things to check,...- I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,

keh - frisco, tx

Answer
Sorry ken  unless U can get a good answer to why they want t rebuild or replace  There is nothing I can offer to what might be wrong and if hat they say is valid  I am not there to see what the issue is at hand and because the tranny is all internal  I cant guess at it with out looking at sensors  and or pressure readings  sounds  and so on. All of which I cant do over the internet.