[shorod]

Happy Thanksgiving, and welcome to the forum!

For starters, have you checked the condition and level of the transmission fluid on the dipstick?

It also sounds like your Taurus may have a vacuum leak that is causing a lack of power, primarily on a cold engine. Has your check engine light ever come on while driving? Since your '94 should be the OBD-I system you can check for current diagnostic codes using a jumper wire.

The stumbling at higher speeds could easily be a misfire due to worn spark plugs, wires, and a cap or rotor (if your '94 has a cap and rotor - which engine does your Taurus have - 12V or 24V DOHC?). When was the last time a tune up was performed? I suppose if your distributor cap were cracked and there's moisture inside, that moisture could be causing the cold start issues as well.

-Rod