back in kauai now, hoping to get this sorted out during this visit.
here is the update. back in the spring of this year, i called the place in the link above, 'import performance transmissions,' and had a good talk with the guy. he was very helpful. he thought it was odd that all 3 solenoids would be bad so he thought it more likely that they shared a plug or ground, and that was likely corroded. he suggested i look more into that before dropping $200 on a part i may not need.
so now that we are back here, i got underneath and in the engine bay but haven't found anything suspect. all of the plugs from the trans look good, and the grounds i found looked good as well but i sanded them anyway.
but i agree with the IPT guy and am not convinced i've looked at everything i need to. on the passenger side of the trans is a plastic piece that has wires bunched and covered in a white cloth-like sheath, and i can't find where those wires go. from below, they appear to head up to the inner passenger fender in the engine bay, but from above, i can't see that particular bundle of wires anywhere. if anyone has any idea where these go, i'd love to know.
so that's where i'm at -- basically still at square one but with slightly more info. any more tips from you fellas would be much appreciated.