Cannot check the transmission fluid because there is no dipstick

JESSICACHAMPAGNE

MEMBER
2006 JEEP COMMANDER
3.7L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
114,000 MILES

I got this vehicle about six months ago. I drive a lot of miles in a month, working single mom three teenagers. Okay, so I have been told that the transmission needs to be replaced or rebuilt, the vehicle only has 114,000 miles on it. I check all the other fluids regularly but can't check the transmission fluid because there is no dipstick. How do I know if I need to add transmission fluid? Can I add Lucas transmission fix? How do I know how much to add? How do I know what type of transmission fluid to use and how do I know or check the amount? Help I can't afford to replace or rebuild and can't go without car will lose my job and house.

5 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

There is a dipstick for the fluid and it has a rubber plug or cap covering it.

No, to the additive. It does nothing. None of those additives fix anything.

I attached the filling procedure and the fluid type below.

A good start is to have the fluid and filter changed to be sure the filter is not clogged.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

What is the issue with the transmission that led the shop to tell you it needed a transmission?

Roy

CHECK OIL LEVEL
1. Verify that the vehicle is parked on a level surface.
2. Remove the dipstick tube cap.

WARNING: Risk of accident from vehicle starting off by itself when engine running. Risk of injury from contusions and burns if you insert your hands into the engine when it is started or when it is running. Secure vehicle to prevent it from moving off by itself. Wear properly fastened and close-fitting work clothes. Do not touch hot or rotating parts.

3. Actuate the service brake. Start engine and let it run at idle speed in selector lever position "P".
4. Shift through the transmission modes several times with the vehicle stationary and the engine idling
5. Warm up the transmission, wait at least 2 minutes and check the oil level with the engine running. Push the Oil Dipstick 9336 into transmission fill tube until the dipstick tip contacts the oil pan and pull out again, read off oil level, repeat if necessary.

NOTE: The dipstick will protrude from the fill tube when installed.

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6. Check transmission oil temperature using the appropriate scan tool.

NOTE: The true transmission oil temperature can only be read by a scan tool in REVERSE or any forward gear position.
7. Determine the height of the oil level on the dipstick and using the height, the transmission temperature, and the Transmission Fluid Graph, determine if the transmission oil level is correct.
8. Add or remove oil as necessary and recheck the oil level.
9. Once the oil level is correct, install the dipstick tube cap.

Automatic Transmission Fluid Type .................... Mopar ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid

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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 4:36 AM

JESSICACHAMPAGNE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

There is no dipstick, just a plug that says "for dealer use only". I was driving at about 35 to 40 mph made it about three to five miles down the road and the tachometer revved up to like 5, didn't push harder on the gas, but wasn't moving any faster like it wasn't getting power. It made a funky noise, not real loud just different then normal, and the check engine light came on. I pulled over within twenty feet and turned it off, haven't driven it since. Had a guy look at it he pulled the plug (for dealer use only) smelled it and said need transmission. He did get into it start it and pulled it forward about ten feet then reversed it ten feet then parked it again, wasn't making any funky sound, didn't smell funny, and ran fine for the fifteen minutes he had it running.

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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 5:13 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Got it.

I would start by having the fluid and filter changed. As I stated before, the filter may be clogged overheating the fluid.

Roy

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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 5:40 AM

JESSICACHAMPAGNE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Should I drive it to the shop (about twenty miles) to have it changed? Should I add some fluid beforehand to be on the safe side? I live in the country so no level ground for proper checking.

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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM

ASEMASTER6371