Just started I saw it leaking trans fluid during a state inspection on the ride home it did not shift into high so I added fluid no change. Hard shifting but does shift if droped into 2nd gear shift from 1st to 2nd slow at going to drive

poor shifting-burnt and discolored fluid -are a couple of ways other than dropping pan or hooking up equipment [tranny shop] to trans--a trans filter change is cheap insurance for keeping vehicle on road your car manual has maintenance schedules for when to change filters and fluids but if vehicle has overheated , fluid leak ,constant loads ,or worked hard should check and or change earlier than stated

TRY CHANGEING THE FLUID ON THE TRANS AND ALSO ADDING SOMETRANSMISSION FLUID SEALENT ,HIGH MILLEGE TYPE

Hey man, i would start with your trans, if its sticking in gear i would suggest changing the fluid. If it is an automatic changing the fluid and filter will help the trans shift smoother. If it is a manual changing the gear oil will help. If that doesnt seem to help LUCAS makes a few different trans products for manual or auto that will help shifting and recondition the seals in your trans, its available at any local parts store. If the problem continues after doing all of this you should think about taking to a shop for an inspection. hope that is helpfull.

your shift silinoid is gone there is 2 inside the transmission

Solenoid Pressure Control Pack,or individual solenoids
your mechanic should know that

You never add anything to an
Automatic Trans but the correct fluid EVER

I would drain that fluid again and get rid of
some of that tran x ****

I used to own a trans shop

Check fluid level, check vacume line to shift modulater on trans if there is an air leak it wont shift right if theres fluid in the line the modualator is bad .Change fluid and filter ad lucus trans treatment.

Sounds like the throttle valve cable is misadjusted or broken. This cable goes from the throttle body to the left hand side of the trans, if you pull on the end at the throttle body it should spring back, if not it is broken or sonething in the trans is amiss

you have to remove the bottom pan of trannie,inside you find filter

Probably not a fluid issue. If the fluid is close to right, a little more or less won't matter. Is the speedometer working? If the speedo quits its because the trans output speed sensor has failed. This will cause the trans to lock into limp home mode. I've had good luck in these cases by buying the sensor (about $25) and put it in to see if it fixes the problem. $25 is a cheap experiment. The output speed sensor is very near the passenger side CV joint. Btw the trans and the firewall. Hard to reach. Easy to change. If the speedo is working the problem isn't the output sensor. Maybe the input speed sensor.

The only fluid expansion tank I know of is for the cooling system,and if that is the case you my have a leak in the transmission cooler that is built into the radiator.