'94 1.9l Auto Tranny Problem.

I have a 94 Tracer 1.9l and seeing how its the same car as the Escort I thought I'd post here seeing this area gets more action then the Mercury section. So heres my problem. For about 2-3 months of owning this car the transmission would shift way to hard for the engine speed. At like 1/8-1/4 throttle 1500-2000 rpms from first to second it would smack into gear almost chirping the tires. Now its starting to do this from 2-3rd. But today nice and cold out the slamming of gears stopped but now I'm getting slipping from first to second. Not alot maybe 500rpms worth and for onle .5sec, but def. not a normal shift. What could it possibly be? Filter/fluid level, solenoids I can do. I wont be able to tear into it though, out of scheer inexperiance and no time to learn. I just want an idea of what it could be and costs if its beyond the basics. Thank you!!

I think you need a new tranny. If it shifts hard the clutch packs have way too much clearance in them. They will soon wear out due to the hardness of the shift. 2ndly, If it is slipping now the packs have already worn out. Did you check the fluid?
If it is low or the intake screen is clogged it will make your tranny do the above mentioned symtoms. If you have changed the fluid and filter recently, sometimes it's the gunk in the fluid that keeps it going.

I changed the fluid and the filter. So far the problem seems to have let up for a bit. Hopefully this holds of any further damage. Thank you for responding!