Transmission Problem?

I have a 95 nissan altima and the check engine light just came on and then i started to experience my car start to jerk lightly. Like when i accelerated moderately fast it jerked when it switched gears i believe. I have an automatic, i was wondering if this sounds like a simple repair or complex. It hasn't done this before until now.

without knowing the code, its impossible to guess

Like uncle bob said, it's hard to tell from what you're telling us. It does sound like a transmission problem to me. Speaking of sound, do you hear any clunking because that's a sign of wear in the gears.

Most bad trannys have 1st to 2nd gear shifting problems, so that will be the most notable. That's the most common from my experience with 3 transmission replacements in one car. I'll tell you the story if you want, but it's long, so you'll have to ask me to tell it :P. Anyways, what you're describing could be a whole range of things in the transmission. It could be that the gears are worn, or the clutches (yes, automatics have clutches and they're expensive), or the most likely culprit is the pressure control solenoid. Then again, you could just need a fluid change because it's old or bubbly (so check your dipstick and smell the fluid). Bubbly trans fluid could be a problem with the booster valve.

I've basically listed the most common problems you could face with a transmission.

Yeah the car jerks lightly from 1st to 2nd gear. It seems the problem only comes up when i accelerate moderatly fast, otherwise it generally never happens. Do you think i will need to get a new transmission?