Possible tranny problem?

[DiBo]

Whenever I go up a hill with my 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (V6, 3.1) and it tries to kick into overdrive the car shakes and hesitates. It is really noticeable when I'm on cruse control on the highway..... however the hesitation/car shaking stops when it kicks into OD and speeds up the hill. Would this be a tranny problem?

[maxwedge]

Could be but a misfire in engine will do the same thing, check this out first.

[DiBo]

How can I check the misfire in the engine? There isn't a check engine light on.