OK - here's the stupid question of the day....

I've always checked transmission fluid acccording to owner manual instructions - i.e. parked on level surface, engine idling, transmission in "Park", fluid at operating temperature.

Recently, doing some other work on the car, I just happened to check the fluid cold - engine not running - and it appeared to be way over the full mark. I started the car, let it warm up and checked again - this time just below the full mark.

Everything I've read says it should be exactly opposite - i.e. level should be lower when the fluid is cold (engine not running) and higher when fluid is hot (due to expansion) and engine idling.

Am I missing something? Is this normal, or does this indicate some sort of transmission problem? How do I know what is the proper level given this seemingly contrary situation?

Jim