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No Transmission dipstick - transmission fluid check?

Tiny
MRGARRETT
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 79,000 MILES
I want to check my transmission fluid. There is no dipstick. Where do I check it at, how do I fill it, and what kind of fluid do I use (just any kind?). There is a cap for what looks like gear oil (?) Too. Has a "gear" symbol on it. What is it and do I need to be adding gear oil? So confused. I am a female, and am capable of doing my own maintenance usually, changing my own oil and stuff like that, but I am lost on this. I just bought this car from an individual, it didnt come with a car manual. Thanks for any help you can give.
Melissa
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Monday, December 8th, 2008 AT 12:42 AM

18 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Hello

Here is how you check the fluid its like a manual with a plug. Check the diagrams below.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID

It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs have it repaired as soon as possible. You may also check your fluid level by following the Transmission Fluid Level and Condition Check procedure. See: Automatic Transmission/Transaxle > Component Tests and General Diagnostics

Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles (83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
* In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
* In hilly or mountainous terrain.
* When doing frequent trailer towing.
* Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.

If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.

Notice: Use of automatic transaxle fluid labeled other than DEXRON-III may damage your vehicle, and the damages may not be covered by your warranty. Always use DEXRON-III labeled automatic transaxle fluid.

Type. DEXRON III or Equivalent
Capacities

Transmission Fluid

Pan Removal. 6.5L (6.9 Qt)

Overhaul. 9.0L (9.5 Qt)

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Monday, December 8th, 2008 AT 1:01 AM
Tiny
MRGARRETT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you! That was very helpful. The red cap, not sure what it is. Hehehe. But I changed the oil and the oil cap is right on top of the valve cover. The mysterious "red cap with gear symbol" is to the right and below the oil cap, kinda under the air filter, steering fluid reservoir and brake fluid reservoirs. LOL. Anyway, thank you again. You were very helpful.

Melissa
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Monday, December 8th, 2008 AT 4:47 AM
Tiny
BOBBLAKE
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
Maybe I'm wrong but I think the red cap is the transmission fill tube.
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2016 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
CHILL1106
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
My TRANS FLUID light came on and then went off immediately, and hasn't come back on since. I looked in the owner's manual to see how to check trans fluid, and couldn't find it. I went to the Auto Zone store and asked employee about it. I purchased the correct fluid (shown on computer) and the guy found the fill port and added half a quart. I have since found out you are not supposed to do that. Did he screw up my transmission by doing that?
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum.

(I have since found out you are not supposed to do that.)

I'm not sure what you meant by the above statement? It's ok to check tranny fluid and add more if you need it.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHILL1106
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
But he didn't check the level, because there was no dipstick. He just added half a quart. How do I know it needed any, and maybe he put some in when it wasn't needed.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
There is a site plug under the vehicle for checking fluid. The person should have checked the level first. Take the vehicle to a shop and have them check the fluid level.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHILL1106
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for the help. Have an appt in the morning for an oil change, and will have them check the trans fluid level.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMM27
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
I have a 2000 Chevy Cavalier Z24, aprox 100000miles. I can't figureout how to check the automatic trans-fluid. I have found a little red fill cap on the trans, but no dip stick.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
. There is a small plug (bolt) that u have to remove on the bottom of your transmission. It is located under your car on the passenger side. You will need a hoist, because the car should be sitting level. When you remove this plug fluid should come out if level is full. I hope this is some help to you
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACKIEDAWN39
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
How do I check my transmission fluid?
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
You'll need to jack or raise on a lift, and remove the plug on the tranny...


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Plug1_4.jpg

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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CZBONE
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 54,000 MILES
I have a Cavalier Z24, 2.4 engine with the 4T40E transaxle setup. It's an automatic transmission, but has no dipstick. The only thing it has is a red plastic screw-in cap labeled Trans Fluid neat the bellhousing.

I wanted to check the fluid level and wondered if there was any simple way of doing so? Thanks.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
You have the 4T40-E tranny, no stick, run engine 5 mins, or to normal operating temp, leave engine runnung, Shift thru all gears, for 3 seconds each gear, leave in park and raise car on lift, unscrew the plug, fluid should drip out...if not add till fluid drips out.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Plug_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Plug1_1.jpg

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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
If your vehicle is equipped with the 2.4L engine, then it has the 4t40 tranny and there is no dipstick to check the fluid with. There is just a bolt in the side of the tranny. You must pull the bolt out and add fluid until it comes out the small hole on the side of the tranny. If the old fluid is burnt smelling or has metal shavings in it then it needs changed.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com!
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JLCOX
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 144,000 MILES
A few days ago, my transmission acted like it didn't want to shift into upper gears. It wanted to maintain in low range until I built up around 50 - 60 mph. Last night while I was in a parking lot, it quit pulling. I tried it in reverse and forward, and it's like it's in neutral. No gear will work except park. I had the car loaded on a car hauler tow truck and brought home. Any suggestions as to what the problem is. Even though I have never changed the transmission fluid, I checked the transmission fluid and it is clear pink and up to the required level on the stick.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
The trans fliud should be red not pink. You may have a trans. Cooler in the radiator that is ruptured letting coolant into trans.

Drain some fluid from trans, take to trans shop and have them look at it and see if coolant is present,
If so then you are looking at a rebuilt/or used trans (plus new radiator).

Once you lose foward and reverse drive it is too late for an simple fix.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 5:34 PM (Merged)

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