'03 Es300 Transmission Fluid Question

[graemewl]

My GF recently picked up a nice '03 ES300 with ~36k miles. The car runs very well except for the transmission. Most of the time, everything works as I would expect, but just occasionally (maybe once every 2 or 3 trips) there will be a hickup, or a lazy downshift. I decided to check the fluid level to be sure it was topped off. With the engine turned off and hot, the fluid is way above the hot max fill mark - like 1-1/4" above the hot max fill mark. This is probably a stupid question, but should the transmission fluid level be checked with the engine running or stopped? If I do have way too much fluid in there I'll get the extra out ASAP. Could this be the root of the minor, occasional shifting blips?

TIA,

Graeme

[SW03ES]

The fluid should be checked while the engine is running, at least thats what I've always been told.