I wasn't really a tranny guy......but burnt fluid is not good.....

Yes a Tech II can command a solenoid on.......but more important would be to take a road test along with a snapshot from the Tech II, that way you can see if the the solenoids are being commanded on by the PCM, and if there is a change in transmission rpm as the gears are commanded to change....

It'* just hard to believe a tranny code is not set....

But did I read this correctly?

If he goes to manual 1st, it shifts if he goes to manual 2nd, and then 3rd, and then 4th/overdrive? And once in 4th, it will not downshift, but will if he does it manually?

If he goes to D, it will not shift out of 1st?

Hard to believe a transmission shop like Aamco can't give a more definitive answer.....I mean this is all they do, transmission work......and 4T65E'* have been around a long time....and I am sure they have seen their share of them.....does make you wonder....

As far as I'm concerned, you don't replace a tranny until you determine the problem and cause........I have seen transmissions replaced, and the same problem was there, a wire harness....