By "eating gear position sensors" I am referring to the fact that from time to time they get dirty/corroded inside and fail to make a good contact. This causes a fault code to be stored and brings on the dreaded flashing upshift arrow. The solenoid issue is something completely different. While they do go bad it is only the occassional rare AW3040 box that seems to have this problem as opposed to the GPS which I see several of in any given calendar year. To give you an idea, I have done probably 15-20 of the GPS's in the five years that I have owned my own shop and have done MAYBE 2-3 of the solenoids since 1992. Only problem is that when the solenoid takes a dump (usually the converter lock up solenoid) it can leave you on the side of the road or cause further damage to the trans if you try to drive it. As far as your "hunting" situation goes, I have no advise for you there. I have not had an AW3040 do what I consider hunting. Those transmissions are usually pretty rock solid and if that one is giving you shifting issues then I would simply pass on it. It may very well have been doing that for a long time but that is no guarantee that it won't take a dump on you tommorrow.

Mark