sdl transmission unresponsive please Help!
 

Another problem rears its ugly head. I have just amassed all the components for an engine electrical overhaul( this sdl's biggest problem). I have not started the sdl in a month, this morning i did. Everything was normal except the transmission was completely unresponsive I shifted into every gear not so much a clunk was heard.
I have seen transmission fluid under the car and the vacuum is probably depleted. Do i go to the dealer and buy more tranny fluid? Do i let run to build up vacuum. Or dose running the engine potentially damage the transmission more?
I know very little about the tranny its the last great frontier of this car and I was hoping to keep it that way. What is the proper way to check the fluid level.

thanks james

If you saw tranny fluid under the car, how much did you see?

Low fluid can mean no moving. You need ample fluid to move that car, due to fluid dynamics.

its hard to say. a puddle maybe eight inches in diameter. it was a while before i noticed it, this car has not move much after i got it.

-james

There should be a dipstick to check the level.

Sitting for a long time also allows seals shrink for being dry.

i checked the dipstick it shows well below the line. i talked the the dealer and he said fill it with castrol dex 3. is this correct?

thanks james

Yes, Dexron III is to be used. Research what a cold fill should be, as typically, a reading is taken after the car was driven, idling and in Park. Do not use the so called "compatable with all" type.

it seems to read a little lower while running and higher while sitting in park. athough its hard to tell with so little reading on the dipstick.

thanks james

Did the trans work when you ran it last time?
 

If it operated correctly the last time you started it, then it probably is low on Dextron #3. It doesn't matter which brand you buy. Add one quart and see if that resolves the problem. If the car drives as it should, then take a 2 or 3 mile spin and then check the transmission properly - car level, engine running, parking brake on, slowly run it through the gears and reverse and place in neutral. Pull the transmission dipstick and squeeze off the oil from the bottom with your fingers. Replace the dipstick, let it set for a couple of seconds, pull it out and keep it in an upright position and get your reading. Fluid should be about half way into the "crosshatched"section, which would bring it up to the top of that section when hot. Driving it 2 or three miles will not get it hot.

ok i'm running out to buy some fluid. And yes the transmission ran perfect when last driven better than my 123 wagon.

james

ok i put 3 quarts in, that seems like alot, but still not reading clearly on the dipstick. athough the transmission is working! clunking alittle but working all forward gears and r.
but my old problem electrics is full on nothing in the cabin works just the engine and trans.

what seals need to be replaced i bought cooling lines. what else could be leaking?


thanks so much for you help.
-james

Hey, I have a question.
 

Since your title is Covert Courier, I was wondering if the written English that you are using is covert also, because some of it is very hard to read and understand? Kind of reads like you might be typing it while running a marathon or something. And it can be hard to answer questions that are written like that.

get a real problem

Keep adding fluid until its between the lines. They hold like 6 quarts.

Thank you, I have the fluid between the lines now, it took 5 qts.! I am amazed that much fluid leaked out. Now to track down the reason. There are only so many seals on the transmission but hard to access and see.

- James

It might have been low already, and the amount that did leak out was enough to make the transmission suck air instead of fluid at the filter.