Bill, the level when the engine is running is actually a little above the second hole and the MAX Fill level indicator. I have never put any fluid in it and I cannot imagine the mecanic doing so if it'* always full to begin with.

you must upload your pics unto a 3rd party site... use www.photobucket.com

once loaded, use the [IMG] and [/IMG] tags to post the picture

Transmissions are not my strong point, so I can only offer limited advice. I don't recall many instances where the car would not move at all due to a failure. There are some similar parts involved for not moving in either direction, like torque converter stator clutch, input clutch assembly, etc., but all would require an overhaul.

Something that you can check yourself, along with what has already been posted, is to check that the shift cable is working, and connected properly. This is a link that shows how to replace the cable. It shows where each end is connected. Start with checking the cable on the transmission to see if you can see it moving through all of the gears.

Automatic Transmission Range Selector Cable Replacement - Console

Thanks for the interesting food for thought, I will get on this right away. There is still the question of the weird sounds I have come across in the last couple of days though, not to mention the fact my wife described the car as having trouble with "finding the next gear" as she describes it. Seemed like the car was not going anywhere fast when she started to accelerate then it "caught" and continued on (as if it "found" the right gear so she says), not sure if the parts you mentioned would cause such noises or behavior but you have given me some hope at least for the evening I will keep you updated. I am the type that hates to pick repair shops out of the book, there are alot of shops still willing to rip you off at the first chance so thanks everyone for letting my pick some brains before jumping into this (possibly) costly repair.

Here are a couple of pics. The pic of the dip stick is when it was pulled cold without the engine running, when running , as I told Bill, the level seems to be about 1cm above the second hole or MAX fill line, but I poersoanlly have never added a drop to it in the year + we have owned it. Sorry for the large size, I will refine my pic size/upload next time

fluid looks perfect

Shift cable seems tight, intact and it moves the engine out of park when I shift from park so the cable is fine. Yes, a buddy of mine just looked at it and also said fluid was fine. It is still the noises that worry me. He mentioned vacuum leaks at first and a couple other things (Computer problem since I have a couple other electrical issues), but I said it must be mechanical because of the noises. He suggested Torque Converter Soleniod but that still would not explain the noises I heard the day before. I then sat in the car, put it in drive and stepped on the gas, the engine went to about 2K rpm or so and it did actually move forward a bit up the drive. In reverse I could not get it to move much so he then guessed it is possibly the Torque Converter itself, but of course there are a few tranny things that can go wrong that would exibit the same symptoms I imagine. I will get it towed. Torque converter is still expensive but not as expensive as all new parts for the tranny. Can anyone explain what would make a torque converter go in the first place? Is there anything that contributes more than another to this part wearing out?

Yeah, the cable was a long shot, but worth checking to be sure. The things that can cause transmission failure are: No preventative maintenance, heat, time, abuse, and defective parts. It'* hard to say what may have caused yours, but the shop may be able to find a cause once they determine the problem. If you're interested, this is a list of transmission symptoms, and causes for each.

Diagnosis By Symptom

I may have missed something, its a long read but if a tranny will not move at all you first should check fluid pressure. Pull the lower radiator coolant line and stick it in an empty milk container. Start the engine and see if it pumps fluid into the container. If it doesnt you have a pump failure.

I will try it, but when you mention not move at all do you at least mean the transmission drops into gear when shifted? Because mine doesn't do a thing when I shift in to any gear. "Park" holds the car in park of course, but there is no get up and go, no "kick" so to speak when shifted into reverse or drive. No change in engine rpm when doing so either. Would the car/tranny at least appear to operate (shift) in the normal manner even if it was a vacuum leak as you describe? Thanks for the input.