Well guys here we go.

1993 Grand Caravan
3.3 Liter
Bought it with 153,000Km
found out later it had 304,000Km on it
when it was sold 6 or 7 months before we bought it
now has 234,000Km according to the odometer.

Was out today drove it about 20 some odd miles when I went off the
highway onto a side road and when I stepped on it to pick up speed it
went into never never land, dropped it into 3rd then 1rst and still
nothing then back into D and then a few seconds later it went into
limp mode.
Works great in 2nd in limp mode
if I leave it sit not running for about 5 minutes it will go into
drive and will seem to be fine for about 300 - 500 feet, it will start
in first then shift to 2nd and before it can get to a 3rd shift point
it goes into never never land and then after a few seconds into limp
mode.

So does this sound like it needs a fluid and filter change to cure it
or could I be looking at some major trouble?

It runs fine otherwise even with close to or just over 400,000Km on
it.