Transmission Fluid level question
 

Does the car need to be level to check the transmission fluid level? In other words, can I jack only the front of the car to gain access to the plug, or do I have to raise the rear as well to get an accurate check?

Thanks

Dave, the car needs to be on level ground. Also keep in mind that the level measurement is supposed to be done wit hthe car in gear as I recall. So, that can affect your level too.

Based on what you are seeing, I am leaning 2 ways at the moment. It is possible you are simply low on fluid. Granted, after adding the 2 quarts, it should have gone back into gear, or the other option is the fluid pump inside of the tranny has gone out and you are now getting no fluid flow. No fluid means there is nothing to move the gears around inside the tranny. Hence why you are stuck in neutral.

Chris,

Thanks for the reply! I did check the fluid level yesterday night (I did jack up all four sides evenly and checked while running and up to, what I guessed, was proper temp- let it run a while and moved through gears many a time). I wrote this in a subsequent post.
"I checked the fluid level, and it appears that there was too much fluid. Well over the two quarts I added. I drained it to the proper level, and now it will move in reverse, but not the others. I haven't traveled more than a foot backwards, as it's a monsoon outside, and I don't want to get stranded in the rain. I still get that horrible noise when returning to park most of the time."

How do I access the fluid pump inside the tranny (this is the first automatic car I have worked on/owned)?

Thanks

Dave, normally the pump is fairly deep into the tranny and not something that is easy to replace without dropping the tranny. Since you were able to improve things a little bit with pulling some of the fluid out, I would let the car sit for a day and then see what you have at that point.

is there any update to this thread. i have a similar issue with the wheels being in neutral in all gears and fluid was check and seem leveled. when you mentioned fluid pump, are you referring to the torque converter or is there another pump. can you provide a picture of the part if you dont mind.

Thank you all.