please help - trans fluid levels/capacity stumper

OK;

I just replaced the trans fluid in my 2000 GV 3.3L 4-speed. I haven't had an owners manual since I bought it used this summer. I do have a Haynes manual that gave very vague instructions on the procedure.

The Haynes manual gave a trans fluid capacity of 9 qts. I began filling and I was going to check after 6, but during the 6th qt the tube filled and what appears to be an overflow valve/outlet on top of the shift arm began leaking.

I decided to start it up, and the level in the tube did not go down significantly. I drove it around for about 5 minutes (0-30mph) and the dipstick reads well above full, and it's not even hot!!

The kicker is, it runs and shifts better than ever! There was a loud whine before and it's completely gone!

What do I do now? Can I just leave it? Do I need to go and remove the pan to drain off the excess? Or does the overflow valve protect the trans?

Was my dipstick off? (was the loud whine due to low fluid, even though it read full before?) It says to use ATF-3 even though all the literature says to use ATF-4 for a 2000. Maybe its the wrong dipstick, and therefore reads the wrong levels.

Is the Haynes manual wrong?

Please help, I don't want to ruin this vehicle and leave my Wife and Newborn son stranded.

Thanks
-Tim

Drain the fluid. The numbers stated includes what is held in the torque converter, which will not drain if you drop the pan. A regular fluid change is probably closer to 4-5quarts. Amke sure you use only Chrysler ATF+4.


If you run it with that much fluid it will leak everywhere, and in close proximity to the exhaust manifold risks a fire.