A little help needed
 

So I'm not the brightest when it comes to cars, I never really took the time to learn.

I have a 94 SE and it isn't shifting into gears like it should, its an automatic.
I'll start it and shift into drive, but it won't take, and even if it does if I get up to where it shfits to second, its like it holds itself back on delay, the rpms go up and then it finally turns over into second, it does this till 40 miles an hour, or what I think is 3rd gear.

My transmission fluid is low, I just checked that today and am going to look into that as well, but I'm curious is that the problem? Or is it something else?

I got into the car today and started it, gave it a bit of gas and it shifted fine. I drove to the gas station about 3 - 4 blocks from my house, parked it and left it running while I ran inside for about 30 seconds to a minute or so. When I came out, it switched into reverse fine, but when I went to exit onto the street after the stop on the ramp. It wouldn't even switch into first gear all the way, it felt like it was in 1/2 gear, where I'd pick up a little speed slowly, and the engine was revving hard and then it'd finally switch once I got to second and momentum started to build.

Any advice? I can't really afford a new transmission so I'm looking for anything I can do.

Thanks in advance and if you need anymore information just let me know and I'll respond.

Pull out the tranny dipstick and describe the tranny fluid. Pink, it's ok, brown, it's not. How low is it?

Its brown, so its not okay. What causes that? and is it just needing to be changed or what? I'm not sure what to do or how much it'll cost.

Also its pretty darn low, low enough that if I had known it was something I needed to watch for, I never would of let it get as low as it is.

If it's below the fill line, put some in then drive to someplace to get new tranny fluid. I don't know whether or not to suggest a full flush. Sometimes that can just knock stuff loose in an old tranny. Tell them you need new fluid and filter.

Do you know how much that might cost? Not very price savvy and don't want to go into it without some time of knowledge as to price ranges.

and thanks for all the info.

Fluid and filter... maybe 40?

That doesn't sound bad at all, this is the second time you guys have really helped me out, thanks a lot I'm learning a lot from you all.