Volvo RWD 200 Forum

I assume it is the transmission, although I will admit I know little about cars. That's not true, I know pretty much nothing about cars except what I've learned from my gearhead friends, who are all VW nuts, unfortunately. Anyhow, here's the issue:

It seems as though the car is stuck in first gear (automatic, by the way) and can't kick over into second. I had had a few problems over the past six months that I suppose would have been tell-tale signs if I knew anything. A handful of times when my car had been sitting in park and I started her up she popped right into reverse and jerked back forcing me to slam on the brakes to keep from flying out of the parking spot. Once or twice I had a sluggish acceleration issue that sounded an awful lot like someone else's trans problem I read about on FixYa. Hitting the gas sent me forward, but slowly as though it wasn't getting enough fuel or something and then suddenly kicked into gear and off I went. Right now, as soon as I get to 15 or 20 mph she just revs like I'm sitting in neutral with my foot on the gas. Of course, I have already checked the fluid and added some as it was a bit low, to no avail. Someone said to check the kickdown cable and the linkages/bushings, though I don't really know where those are or how to "check" them. I'm really hoping that I don't need a whole new trans because I really can't afford that. If anyone can help me I would be eternally grateful. She's got a few quirks, but she's beautiful and I love her. Please, help me keep her.