3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

Millerman
I just added the fluid once the D went solid. Took 3/4 qt before it started come out the overflow.

 

I think it's a gamble. If you are a quart low, and you add a quart before you start, then you won't be overfilled. If you are already full, and you add a quart, you'll obviously be overfilled.

What I did was added a quart, then pulled the check plug to drain off the excess (wasn't much) before I started it. Then warmed it up, and drained off any more as the fluid expanded.

 

Actually this makes a lot of sense.... if it's full at cold, it will purge a little when warm... !!

 

I know this isnt our trucks or our trans but it is refering to toyota transmissions.

 

Why are people so hell bent on deviating from the FACTORY service manual? It's very simple and clear cut. If it needed to be pinned it would say so. Has all logic been lost these days?

I'll probably get burned for speaking my mind but fugg it. Try not to take it personal.

 

Its not trying to deviate from the service manual its wanting to do it right. If the cooling system wasnt filled from the factory, and your transmission ever does get hot enough for the thermostat to open then you will be low in your transmission the amount the cooling system holds. Can you blame people for not completely trusting the service manual put out by the company that has sent most of their trucks out low on fluid.

 

The tow package holds 2 tenth of a quart. I am by no means an expert but maybe they don't have you pin it because if the temp reaches high enough to run through the cooler it must also expand the fluid and that 2 tenths is a safety to keep from blowing a seal under pressure if it gets hot. Or I am being an idiot and you folks are going to jump all over me and point out how stupid I am for suggesting it. In the owners manual It does have an * symbol that says "the fluid capacity is a quantity of reference". Whatever the hell that means??!! I think I will follow the service manual and not pin. If my transmission blows I can always truthfully say I followed their directions. And maybe one of you engineers knows. Will 2 tenths of a quart really make a difference. I am more concerned with it being 3/4 to 2 quarts low. Be kind. I am but a humble civil servant.

 

I ain't no engineer, but I'm with you. 0.2 quart might drop the actual fluid level by 1/8".

Can't blame anyone for being leery of anything. I trust NO ONE, but it's all we have to go on. Sometimes these forums can be very helpful, other times they can cause problems. What was I trying to say.....?

 

What is the capacity of the tow package cooler for the vehicles listed for this service?

 

I know what the service manual states from the .pdf files posted on the boards, but when the dealership checked my transmission fluid, they also checked it with the thermostat open. Here's a pic of my work order.

 

I did mine unpinned, filled it 3/4 qt to full/tickle then tried it again pinned and there was no difference it was full.

 

This was my experience as well. It acted a lot different after I did it pinned though.

 

I have seen somewhere on this tread that if they check your fluid with the scanner it's wrong and inaccurate! Can anyone tell me why is that is there a level transmitter in there or howb does the scanner cone up with these numbers?

 

Dealerships were relying on the Techstream computer scanner and saying the level was fine .
Members at Tacoma World started complaining about delayed shifting after the dealer used only the techstream to verify the fluid level .
There were so many complaints of delayed shifting after the fact , it was rather obvious that the Techstream level indicator is inaccurate .
The proper way to check the fluid on the AC60E and AC60F is by removing the overflow plug which eliminates the level transmitter completely

 

How much more did you add when it was pinned?

 

Nothing.
It sounded a lot different during the p-s-p priming cycle, though.
I'm under the impression it took a 2nd time to fully purge and prime everything. Now, whether or not pinning the t.stat had anything to do with it...

 

Can't read through all these again. What gauge wire do we use for the jumper? 18 ga solid?

 

I used 18 ga stranded - less likely to bend the tabs on the OBD connector.

 

So you are saying there is a level transmitter or is it just a level switch "digital input"which would probably be the same switch that trips the indicator on your dash after it fryes your transmission? From an engineering point of view I would trust a calibrated 4-20 mA transmitter but dose toyota use 2 different setpoint for vehicles with tow package and the ones without? Or do they only have 1 universal number they go by on all the 2016 tacomas?
And thank you for all the replies an info you have been putting out here!

 

Has everyone been disconnecting their battery after filling to make the transmission relearn your driving habits?