If you aren't holding it too high, there'* no harm in manually shifting. Most don't understand how to shift and keep rpm reasonable...that'* when it'* bad.

Dan.. you got me thinking on the accumulator. There is a 1-2 and 2-3. If he'* not getting second, then maybe it'* the 1-2.

I took a video with me semi-manual shifting and showing the rpms and you should be able to hear the motor, but I dont know how to upload videos. Also I know nothing about trans' at this point so the 1-2 2-3 and accumulators i'm lost, I looked over the how to for the filter but thats as far as I know trans wise.

Possible. I was going over the service manual looking at the diagrams and tables. If a solenoid was bad he would loose 2 gears, not just one. The only thing I could see that would prevent 3rd, other then total clutch failure is loss of shift pressure, and that leaves the 2-3 piston. If it was stuck, the shift would be harsh, if the O ring is gone, then shift pressure would never go up.

Search on Danthurs and how to put in a shift kit. While it'* for the 4T60, the basics of taking apart the accumulator should be pretty close. You'd be looking for a bad seal on the piston under the cover where it'* labeled 1-2. Kinda nice that they put 1-2 and 2-3 on the cover over the accumulator for that gear.

You will need to upload the video to a place like photobuckt and then post the link here.

Go to techinfo/performance and look for installing a shift kit. That is where you will find the information about the accumulator.

Bill, there'* a write up about installing a shift kit in a 4t60 as well in techinfo/performance. Not the same as the 4t65 but still very close.

I looked in 3800 performance.com and the shift kit they supply says its only for 4t65e and I only have 4t60

You can make your own for a few buck.
https://www.gmforum.com/performance-137/making-installing-shift-kit-4t60-e-transmission-287906/

Ok it will be about a week before i can afford everything, I will report back with what comes up when I get everything done.

Be sure to inspect the O rings closely, If you see any damage, a split, a nick, anything, then it will need to be replaced. That O ring is the seal, and it needs to seal good or it wont work right.