transmission - how do you know it needs service

the fluid level looks good, but I am getting some noise, not sure where it is coming from but maybe the tranny needs service?

What should the fluid look like?
what kind of noise would it make?
may have some random slippage of gears, but only after car has been sitting overnight?

Any insight would help?

fluid should be a pink or red colour, no it should not make any noise....if you are hearing a whining sound its likely the pump caused my pumping max fluid pressure, ultimately the result of a bad PCS (pressure control solenoid)..very common fault on these transmissions and usually causes slipping,shuddering, poor shifting, and eventually it will go into fail safe mode and cause the internal pump to max out the fluid pressure, making the shifts very firm (if not harsh) and you will hear a whine. (this will reset after you switch the vehichle off)

would doing a flush and new fluid fix it or could that make it worse, i have read that if you dont change the fluid very often it could make it worse?

how major of a job is the PCS? will it kill the transmission.


The whining sound isnt really that loud just annoying when and stops when you take your foot off the gas?

How many miles are on your tranny? Service history?

152,000 miles, I have had it since around 50,000 never had any service (bought from dealer).

No major hills, or no deliver service just regular transit. Never had a issue until recently.

Manual says to have it changed every 100,000 for regular transit.

defiantly change the fluid and filter...it is a real possibility the filter is clogged causing a low pressure condition (same thing that happens when the PCS stops working properly)....There's never any harm in doing a fluid and filter change unless you have left it go a VERY long time...your mileage is not too bad. Its just like oil it does have to be changed every now and again....Do not get a flush, just a simple fluid and filter change , high heat in the power flush process tends to do very bad things to older transmissions....

your problem is most likely a bad PCS, which many of us just put up with (including myself)...the part is cheap ($50) the labor is intense....upwards of $500! The transmission mounts have to be undone and it has to be lowered several inches to access the side cover...many shops find it easier just to remove the transmission entirely, and when its out inspect the bands, clutches, and replace the faulty 4th gear hub that always ends up going on these transmissions....

oh another thing if you are planning on going out in the next few months to do a fluid/filter change. Pour in a can of sea-foam 'trans tune' and drive for a few weeks with that stuff in there. It improved my shifting a bit but i only had it in there for a week (mon-friday)..longer may have helped more. it is a powerful cleaner of sorts that has in rare cases freed up a sticking PCS. There are also rare cases of a fluid change fixing PCS issues. Its worth a try.

thanks....the "trans tune" do I use the whole bottle? it goes in before the fluid change right?

thanks again for all yr help

yes use the entire bottle, but only add half at a time to make sure you don't overfill your fluid (check it in park, engine running)..it can go a bit over the full mark not much though. Its not supposed to be left in the transmission for extended periods so yes put it in and drive for a few weeks...then get the fluid/filter service done...

take off the tranny pan and clean it before using the seafoam = or else you are just putting all that crap into solution.

The gasket is reuseable