My girlfriend has a 2004 Grand Am with the 3400 and 4-speed automatic transmission. In GM's infinite wisdom, they didn't install dipstick on the transmission and claimed the fluid was "lifetime". In any case, there's evidence its leaking a bit and I want to verify there's the right amount of fluid in there. It has 136,000 miles, still drives good.
Normally, transmission fluid is checked with the engine warm and the engine running, and removing a fill plug and seeing if fluid runs out.
However, I found this procedure that is supposedly from the shop manual:
quote
Transmission Fluid Check
Important Inspect the fluid level only when the engine is off. Ensure the vehicle is level. The transaxle must be cold.
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information. Remove the level check plug. Verify that the fluid is up to the opening. Perform the following porcedure if no fluid is visible: 4.1. Lower the vehicle. 4.2. Add GM Dexron III Transmission Fluid, or equivalent, to the level check opening until the level check opening begins to leak fluid.
Anyone know for sure if the engine should be HOT and RUNNING, or COLD and OFF?
[This message has been edited by masospaghetti (edited 04-28-2014).]
Important Inspect the fluid level only when the engine is off. Ensure the vehicle is level. The transaxle must be cold.
*shrug* Seems fairly straight forward to me. At least, as straight forward as checking the oil level on a trans that doesn't have a dipstick can be, anyway...
do NOT remove the check plug unless the car is running.
Which flies in the face of the procedure I have, which is why I am confused. I've never seen a procedure to check an automatic transmission with the engine OFF, before this one.
[This message has been edited by masospaghetti (edited 04-28-2014).]
i just pulled up gms service information its what the techs at dealerships use, and it says do not pull that plug out if the cars off or you will lose more fluid, it says get it to temp run the stick thru all gears and return to park, then while its running jack it up and pull the plug and running it should be level with the bottom of that hole
i just pulled up gms service information its what the techs at dealerships use, and it says do not pull that plug out if the cars off or you will lose more fluid, it says get it to temp run the stick thru all gears and return to park, then while its running jack it up and pull the plug and running it should be level with the bottom of that hole
That makes more sense to me.... seems silly to not include a dipstick... unless they gave you another way to check level (maybe a sensor, vs pulling a plug).
That makes more sense to me.... seems silly to not include a dipstick... unless they gave you another way to check level (maybe a sensor, vs pulling a plug).
I had a Malibu with the 3100/4spd auto and the trans was listed as "service free" in the owners manual.
quote
Automatic Transaxle Inspection: It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.Check for leaks. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your Chevrolet dealership Service Department and have it repaired as soon as possible
The transmission fill cap was directly under the exhaust crossover pipe and there was no way to get to it without full-on contact with the exhaust pipe. NO WAY were you getting near it when the engine was warm. It really wouldn't surprise me if the Grand Am was the same way or very similar.
Yeah the "maintenance free" transmission was an incredibly stupid idea, so much agony by not having a drain plug (have to pull the pan down full of fluid) and not having a dipstick.
It sounds like the manual I have is wrong, and it seems like the Haynes manual may also be wrong.
My Grand am also has the vent / fill plug under the exhaust crossover.
It is not uncommon, for them to not have a dip stick. More and more manufacturers are going this way. Seems silly to us, but lets face it... most people don't even know what a dip stick is anymore as they don't have to check fluids, like in the past.
Seems there's 2 plugs, one on top(Filler the one under the crossover) and on on the bottom/side(level check). It seems the one on the bottom is the one you check with the engine hot and running? Worth a look.
Newer Chrysler products really cant be owner checked. The dealer has a probe that measures fluid temps and that dictates how much fluid should be added. My Magnum just had a cap where the dipstick normally was, no stick even there. I think most makes are going to this setup to keep people from overfilling a trans and blowing out the seals and internals. Its also becoming more common to NOT ever change fluids. With a sealed unit, unless theres an external leak theres no reason since nothing can get in it either. There all going that way just like they did with all permanently sealed ball joints and bearings. Personally, I never ever consider changing auto trans fluid UNLESS its got a major problem already...THEN I do it as a last resort.
Originally posted by jaskispyder: It is not uncommon, for them to not have a dip stick. More and more manufacturers are going this way. Seems silly to us, but lets face it... most people don't even know what a dip stick is anymore as they don't have to check fluids, like in the past.
"Your the dipsh!t find the dipstick."
line from a Bill Cosby comedy skit, And those are the exact words,
There is no such thing as "lifetime" oil. All oil will degrade as it loses it's additives and becomes contaminated with age and use. If you are leaking tranny fluid from the transmission oil pan, you should replace the pan gasket ( and the tranny filter while you are at it. ). You can then refill the tranny with the proper amount of fluid. Remember that the torque converter will retain some fluid, so you have to compensate for that.
And those are the exact words, 
). You can then refill the tranny with the proper amount of fluid. Remember that the torque converter will retain some fluid, so you have to compensate for that.
