Quote Originally Posted by tierzu View Post
how does the application of 1st gear differ between the different positions of the shift selector? If the car has to begin in 1st gear before shifting into any of the other gears why would there be no forward momentum with the shift selector in any position but 1?
Has to do with the manual selection of 1st gear. Actually moves a valve inside the channel plate. This forces certain things to happen, vs. letting the PCM control things with solenoids.

.........and a little magic.