picking up new project tomorrow, won't go into second/won't start without starter fl

[rchadhaney]

I am picking up a 1995 GMC Sierra tomorrow and the story goes like this. Previous owner drove it yesterday for 60 miles no problem. Today he gets in it to meet me somewhere to buy it and when he put it in drive it shifted hard and then died. Ever since then it will only start with starter fluid and will not shift into second.

Thoughts?

Truck has 177000 miles and 2 years ago and 35000 miles had a new ac Delco fuel pump put in.

Is it possible a fuse or a sensor could be causing these issues or are they truly unrelated?