Any of you that have thought you might want to check your automatic transmission fluid level, have probably noticed a distinct lack of a transmission dipstick. Chrysler in its infinite wisdom has apparently decided we owners don’t need one, probably because checking the fluid level is a tad more involved than in years past and so they no doubt wish us to make a trip to the dealership.
Since I decided to change torque converters to a high stall unit I figured I’d better be able to check my own. What follows is a method for checking your fluid level, I borrowed some of the ideas from various places and adapted in some of my own as well.
First we need some kind of a dipstick, now there are articles floating around out there that tell how to make your own (either out of a zip tie or old van dip stick etc…) but I’m going to stick with the factory unit here. I acquired dip stick 9336 from vendor HHP although I’m sure several other vendors no doubt have it as well. Be warned though that it isn’t a cheap part, especially considering the complete lack of complexity of the part, however I wanted the correct tool.
With the tool acquired we are now ready to measure right? Well not quite, fluid level is apparently very temperature sensitive and must be measured in conjunction with its temperature and checked against Chryslers chart to see that it falls within a certain level.
The dealership would use a scan tool to check the temp. however not having one I had to improvise. Now I have read of people using a tire temp. gauge and then scanning the fluid on the dipstick to take the temp. That method would most likely work but I didn’t have a tire temp gauge and didn’t want to spend that much more money. Instead I borrowed an idea I had seen elsewhere and acquired a cheap digital meat thermometer with a long line to the probe (cost about $12).
Now some guys after removing the metal spear at the end then wrap the line around the 9336 dip stick with the actual temp probe of course being close to the tip of the dip stick. I didn’t want anything interfering with the measurement so I instead ran it along a 36” zip tie, taping it in place and took the temperature separate from my fluid measurement.
Remove metal spear from temp gauge by uncrimping the one end and pulling temp probe free. Then attach to either the dipstick itself or a zip tie or a long old dipstick from another vehicle etc…
Both dipstick and temp gauge ready to go.
With the vehicle parked on a level surface, the parking brake on and the dipstick tube cap removed go ahead and start the car. Let the car run in park for a bit then shift through the gears a few times. I shouldn’t have to remind you but keep a foot on the brake while running the transmission through the gears.
After a few minutes warm up, check the oil by running the dip stick down the fill tube until the tip contacts the bottom of the pan (the dipstick will not be all the way in at this point and in fact will actually have a good bit of extra sticking out the top of the fill tube) then pull and check the level.
With a good reading established you can then check the temperature by running the gauge down. I did try to just run the gauge down without it being attached to anything but it just got hung up, so I found it necessary to have it attached to something, in my case a zip tie in order to get it into the fluid.
Now with the level known and a temperature you just look at the chart and see where it falls.
Since I decided to change torque converters to a high stall unit I figured I’d better be able to check my own. What follows is a method for checking your fluid level, I borrowed some of the ideas from various places and adapted in some of my own as well.
First we need some kind of a dipstick, now there are articles floating around out there that tell how to make your own (either out of a zip tie or old van dip stick etc…) but I’m going to stick with the factory unit here. I acquired dip stick 9336 from vendor HHP although I’m sure several other vendors no doubt have it as well. Be warned though that it isn’t a cheap part, especially considering the complete lack of complexity of the part, however I wanted the correct tool.
With the tool acquired we are now ready to measure right? Well not quite, fluid level is apparently very temperature sensitive and must be measured in conjunction with its temperature and checked against Chryslers chart to see that it falls within a certain level.
The dealership would use a scan tool to check the temp. however not having one I had to improvise. Now I have read of people using a tire temp. gauge and then scanning the fluid on the dipstick to take the temp. That method would most likely work but I didn’t have a tire temp gauge and didn’t want to spend that much more money. Instead I borrowed an idea I had seen elsewhere and acquired a cheap digital meat thermometer with a long line to the probe (cost about $12).
Now some guys after removing the metal spear at the end then wrap the line around the 9336 dip stick with the actual temp probe of course being close to the tip of the dip stick. I didn’t want anything interfering with the measurement so I instead ran it along a 36” zip tie, taping it in place and took the temperature separate from my fluid measurement.
Remove metal spear from temp gauge by uncrimping the one end and pulling temp probe free. Then attach to either the dipstick itself or a zip tie or a long old dipstick from another vehicle etc…
Both dipstick and temp gauge ready to go.
With the vehicle parked on a level surface, the parking brake on and the dipstick tube cap removed go ahead and start the car. Let the car run in park for a bit then shift through the gears a few times. I shouldn’t have to remind you but keep a foot on the brake while running the transmission through the gears.
After a few minutes warm up, check the oil by running the dip stick down the fill tube until the tip contacts the bottom of the pan (the dipstick will not be all the way in at this point and in fact will actually have a good bit of extra sticking out the top of the fill tube) then pull and check the level.
With a good reading established you can then check the temperature by running the gauge down. I did try to just run the gauge down without it being attached to anything but it just got hung up, so I found it necessary to have it attached to something, in my case a zip tie in order to get it into the fluid.
Now with the level known and a temperature you just look at the chart and see where it falls.