Transmission fluid was black when I drained it

PETER RODRIGUEZ

MEMBER
2002 ISUZU AXIOM
0.6L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
197,567 MILES

I was driving down the road and my car just lost power, but was moving slow until it did not move any more. Read a little on it and put a little fluid in it and it wants to go but then drain it from the plug and it was black, but clean no debris in it. Then I put a little more fluid and it still wants to catch gear but cannot seem to put enough fluid in it to catch all the gears. What should I do? People tell me I can put fluid in a place by the brake fluid holder. What do I do?

2 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

If fluid is black go right to a transmission shop as it needs rebuilding. Black fluid is a very bad sign.

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Saturday, December 10th, 2016 AT 6:34 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,414 POSTS

As HMAC said, black fluid is a bad thing with an automatic transmission. It means the fluid got hot and glazed the clutches and the steels internally, creating more heat which burns the additives in the fluid and turns it black. Rebuild or replacement is about the only repair for that. If the rest of the vehicle is in good shape either option could be good.