[...masterofnone]

since the original post I've called a few transmission shops in my area. They all said the same thing. "Sounds like a torque conv. selenoid". one guy said about $50 in parts and $250 labor, another guy said about $150 labor. I guess my new question is... does anyone know just how hard it is to do this repair "shade tree" style? I'm pretty handy (jack of all trades...master of none) but I've never gotten into a tranny before.