Will changing the transmission fluid help this problem or am I doomed???

If changing the tranny fluid will/can help, is doing it a DIY type job or recommended for a shop?

Thanks

I doubt a fluid change will help, but if you are LOW on fluid, you might be able to help it. You need to have it running at operating temp. Pull the plug on the passenger side of the trans pan. There are 2 plugs; the one you want to pull is recessed in the corner of the pan, up near the trans body. Now the fun part: If you don't get a drip of fluid, you need to add until it's a slow drip out of the hole. The best thing to use is a garden sprayer. I bought one at Home Depot for $6.99. It's a small hand-held sprayer. Get some clear tubing that will fit over the nozzle end, and spray the fluid up into the trans. It's a messy job! They should have put a dipstick on it like every other auto trans on the planet. I just had the pleasure of doing it this weekend.

I could be low... it hasn't been changed in at least 3 yrs!

So it sounds like changing the auto tranny fluid is just like anything things else. Drain the fluid and add new??? For some reason, I thought an auto tranny was more complicated than that.

I think your Rodeo also runs the 4L30E, with no dipstick tube. That's the difference that makes this a pain since you can't add fluid from the top. I dunno about the Rodeo, but on the Trooper, if you want to drop the pan to change the filter, you also have to unbolt and move the crossmember that holds up the rear of the trans.

Now that I think about it, I had to disconnect some of the exhaust, as well as removing the skid plate to be able to drop the pan on my Passport. It wouldn't be a bad time to install a drain plug in the pan if you don't have one already.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />Andre

There should be two plugs on the pan - one is on the very bottom, and that is the drain plug. The other is mounted a little higher, and near the front IIRC. That is the fill plug.

I thought that Jerry Lemond wrote a nice little post a while back on checking the fluid level, but I cannot seem to find it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

You have to have the truck running and up to temp anytime you try and pull the higher of the two plugs to check the fluid level. The temp is supposed to be between 95 and 135 degrees F. when you check it. Same way when you fill it.

Put fluid in till it comes out on you then start it and let it warm up, add fluid as it will allow and once up to temp, run it through the gears while holding the brake and then check and see if you can add more fluid.

Joe

Thanks for all the suggestions. Since it's a auto trans, do I need to change the tranny filter?

Also, what fluid do you guys recommend?

Thx!

You probably should change the filter. My '97 Trooper has 84k on it, and I opted not to. I've really never seen one plug, unless the trans had a significant failure causing lots of debris to reach the filter. I'd use parts store Dextron III, as there's not much difference in any of them, except a synthetic. Stay away from synthetic in a GM overdrive auto. The ONLY additive I would suggest is Lubegard in the red bottle.

http://www.partsamerica.com/Product...;mfrcode=LBG&mfrpartnumber=60902

The rest are at best a waste of money, if not downright damaging. Do a search on the www.bobistheoilguy.com forums under trans fluid for this additive. This is NOT a snake oil. You can find it in many auto parts stores, but the funny thing is that it's not out on the shelf with the auto trans snake oils. At both Advance Auto and Autozone around here, it's behind the counter.

EDIT: Since you ARE having a slip problem (potentially), I would definitely go through the trouble of pulling the pan and replacing the filter. What you do or don't find in the pan and/or filter will give you indication of the state of the trans.

See the last post at the end of this link, easiest way to change out the transmission fluid, http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...B86&Number=834340&Forum= .