Transmission Fluid Level

I tried checking the tranny fluid level yesterday. My sister ran it through all the gears, pausing in each for a couple seconds. When she returned to "Park" and with the engine running, I pulled the dipstick. While there was some fluid on it, there wasn't much, just a thin film. The fluid was in the "OK" range, but there was so little fluid there, I couldn't tell what color it was. I had to wipe the dipstick on my finger to convince myself there was actually fluid on the dipstick.

Today, I ran the Blazer in neutral, not park, for 10 - 15 minutes to hopefully warm up the fluid. It didn't warm up, but when I pulled the dipstick, it had the same results from yesterday. I shut the engine off and proceeded to change my engine oil, and when I was done, I decided to check the tranny fluid again (with the engine off.) This time, there was noticable red transmission fluid all the way up the dipstick.

What's going on? Am I not doing something right?

I decided to check the level since the torque converter seemed to unlock as soon as I lifted my foot from the pedal and would relock a couple seconds after pressing down on the accelerator pedal again.

Thanks in advance.

You have to check the level with the engine running and on a level surface. Basiclly, you were doing it right the first time. Really wipe the dipstick dry throw it in there and pull it out, if its in the"OK" range, its alright.( I prefer to keep it at the full mark, as its always good to have as much oil in there as possible)

With the TCC disengaging when you pull your foot off the gas pedal and reconnect when your back on the gas is perfectly fine, thats what it is suppose to do.

i sort of have the same problem. last time i checked it, i was on the level part of my driveway with the engine warmed up. i went through all gears also. when i pulled the dipstick, the fluid was about half a centimeter up the stick. so i added a little fluid, ran through the gears and the fluid was now almost all the way up the stick (past the wrinkeled part in the stick). i would also like to know wth is going on. i know it needs a fluid change though but that would not affect the level fluctuating like that would it?

It is hard to check the fluid sometimes. I hold it up in the sunlight to see the level.

The fluid sounds to be good if it is hard to see on the stick. Also, get the tranny hot before you check it. Go for a drive and stop, put it in park and check it running.

so i added a little fluid, ran through the gears and the fluid was now almost all the way up the stick (past the wrinkeled part in the stick). i would also like to know wth is going on. i know it needs a fluid change though but that would not affect the level fluctuating like that would it?

This is usually because when you put oil down the tube, some oil naturally stays inside on the tube. When you put the dipstick inside the tube, it it rubs, or slides on the side of the tube. When you pull the dipstick out, it looks like oil is really high. You have to let all the oil get to the pan, including the oil thats in the tube.

This is usually because when you put oil down the tube, some oil naturally stays inside on the tube. When you put the dipstick inside the tube, it it rubs, or slides on the side of the tube. When you pull the dipstick out, it looks like oil is really high. You have to let all the oil get to the pan, including the oil thats in the tube.
yea but it stayed that way for a few days. i haven't checked it lately but i will definately check it tomorrow (well technically today, lol)

you added a little bit? how much is a little bit?

You always got to check it warm, never on the 1st or 2nd pull of the dipstick, wipe it off twice make sure the dipstick goes all the way in, if its under the XXXXXX hatched area, add 1/4 to 1/2 of fluid and let it settle then check again, it should never stick inside the tube for more then a couple hours after adding and it will never coat the entire dipstick other then the bottom fully.


If you had all that fluid in there, your pan gasket , dipstick tube O ring and more then likely the tailshaft seal will be leaking like a seive.

i did not add alot at all. and i pulled the stick 3-4 times. i'll check it later today

Whenever I get my Blazer running I'll also scribe a line on my dipstick to where it's at when cold and not running. I don't know if it'll be consistant, but I'd like to see for myself. If it is consistant I really don't know why the manufactors don't put their own mark on the dipstick as well. I've seen heavy equiptment that has lines for both while it's hot and running and when it's cold and off.