Automatic trans fluid level question

[jawja jim]

Does anyone know if the fluid level in the auto can be checked with the mark on the on the speedo cable connector, the same as on a manual trans? I know it has the dipstick, but I have never been able to get what I considered a good, true reading with it, on a Festiva's, or any other automatic for that matter.

[bhazard]

No, check it running in park, warmed up, with the dipstick.

[jbibb1]

Some vehicle owners manuals recommend you check it running, in neutral, warmed up and the parking brake on

[ryanprins13]

Whats the problem with reading it on your dipstick? Is the oil too light of a colour to see good? Or is it all the way up the dipstick so its hard to tell or what?
When reading it on an auto trans your taking a reading of a thin moving fluid so its not going to be as defined as your engine oil being stationary and viscous. If i have trouble with there being too much fluid on the dipstick i let the engine get cold, clean the dipstick well, let it idle until warm, not driving it. Then move it between drive, reverse and neutral a bunch without driving the car. Put it back in neutral and wait about a minute, then take the readig. Doesnt have to be exact, just close is good.


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[wth]

mine has to be done in neutral with motor running to get a real true reading.

wth

[jawja jim]

I've been trying to read it as y'all suggested, warm, cycle thru all gears, with just a warmup and before and after driving, but I've never gotten what I would consider a good read. It's all over the stick, different one side to the other, etc. I know the level indicator is there on the auto cable connector, too, and I suspected that it was so that a different part wasn't needed in the manufacture of the 2 models, but I just wondered if there was any correlation with the auto trans model.
Thanks for the answers.

[shadetree]

Jim ... I feel your pain . There is no way possible to get a clear reading on any of my three auto cars . It's always all over the place , sometimes way over full sometimes just touching the stick but drops on the top . I have never pulled the speed gear to check it there . I'm doing a fluid and filter on mine soon and I'll fill it and let you know the level on the gear .

[FestYboy]

Pull the stick, clean it, plug the tube with something other than the stick, go drive hard for 10 minutes, come back, let it idle in park for 5 minutes to let the fluid settle, take a reading with the stick.

[1990new]

This from service manual:

Inspection of Automatic Transaxle Fluid Level

Caution
Place the vehicle on a flat, level surface.

1. Apply the parking brake and position wheel chocks securely to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
2. Warm up the engine until the ATF reaches 140-158F (60-70C)
3. While depressing the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to each range (P-L) and leave it a few seconds in each range.
4. Shift back to P.


Only use the cool 68F (20C) range as a rough reference.Ensure that the ATF level is in the Hot (150F, 65C) range.
Add ATF to specification, if needed.

[F3BZ]

i seem to encounter this problem on a lot of AT cars no matter make or model. is there some way the fluid is being splashed or pushed up in the dipstick tube that gives an irregular pattern or fluid coating on just one side of the dipstick? festyboy makes a good suggestion that might eliminate that but i'd probably just check at warmed idle after clicking through the range.

[1990new]

When I changed the engine on Rosie, I drained the transmission at the bottom plug and also drained a little over 1/2 qt from the torque converter.
The capacity is supposed to be 5.6 quarts so I put 1/2 qt in the torque converter and 5 quarts in the transmission when I got everything back together. I haven't started the engine or run it yet. The fluid level on the stick is about a inch above the full mark.
Did I put in too much? Was some left in the transmission somewhere? Are there pockets that do not fill until the pump starts running?
Should I drain some out before I start it?

[bravekozak]

You can always siphon or pipette some out later, if needed. However, I would not advise doing so orally.

[FestYboy]

Did I put in too much? Was some left in the transmission somewhere? Are there pockets that do not fill until the pump starts running?
Should I drain some out before I start it?

Don't touch it, the level needs checked when running, and I guarantee there are air pockets. Besides, you can over fill an auto a little bit and it won't make a difference.

[FestYboy]

i seem to encounter this problem on a lot of AT cars no matter make or model. is there some way the fluid is being splashed or pushed up in the dipstick tube that gives an irregular pattern or fluid coating on just one side of the dipstick? festyboy makes a good suggestion that might eliminate that but i'd probably just check at warmed idle after clicking through the range.

The reason I state those specific instructions is to eliminate the false read. Usually the issue is left over fluid in the tube from the initial pull out, hence the odd pattern on just one side of the stick.

[1990new]

OK... I will wait until I get it started and check again. Couldn't be much over if it is at all when I check.