My '94 SE has approx. 176k on it. Original trans. Intermitten problem with transmission not shifting into gear at start up. Thought it happened more during cold winter days, but has been happening intermittenly still on hot summer days. When problem occurs with car in drive, car feels like it wants to move when pressing down on accelerator. When problem occurs in parking spot after start up it sometimes seems to go into gear after i have shifted down into first. Once in a while the problem occurs for up to 1- 1.5 minutes. Usually problem occurs for approx. 15 - 35sec. Any info on problem or shared similar experience is appreciated.

Have you checked the fluid level? What does it look like? Is it bright red, or more of a brownish color? Does it have a burned smell to it? If it hasn't been serviced yet, dropping the pan and replacing the fluid and filter would be a good starting point.

fluid level is fine, fluid has been changed accordingly, color is dark red, smell is nothing extreme, it doesnt smell burnt. It'* not brown. That is why i am confused as to why it is having trouble engaging.

Sounds like you are having the same problem I had with my old 93 Park Avenue. It had bad seals in the tranny and would also do the same as you describe. Try shifting into reverse for a few seconds first, see if that helps any. It would with mine. First gear also helped some but reverse helped more and I didn't have to wait so long.

shifting into reverse did seem to help, but now it seems help just the same as shifting into first gr. and waiting. Did u repair your trans or put in a rebuilt? Any price quotes or just advice on what i should do - replace/repair...labor involved?

I was quoted 1800-2200 to rebuild it. I never did it though. I drove that car the way it was for 30K miles and gave it to a friend of mine (traded for some work on my house). He drove it for a while and then sold it.
Mine only did it when it was cool to cold out. The colder temps made it take a little longer. If yours is doing it in the warm weather you may not be a lucky as I was to continue driving it much longer. There isn't much you can do other than to repair it if you want to keep the car.

You can try some Seafoam TransTune to see if that frees up some stick solenoids.

didn't ryan (badnit) have this same problem and then fix it? Something to do with the checkball or something. But I would go along with the transtune too. but you might want to get a trans flush after you put it in, it dissolves alot of varnish and built up trans sludge that you dont wanna keep in your trans after its broken loose

Thanks for the feedback guys, i have a couple weeks left at college, then i'll be drivin the bonneville into our shop to get the low down on what'* going on. Hopefully i'll be able to drive it out the shop and down the road for another 30k. Thanks again fellas.