How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission

I just did my tranny fluid. Didnt really need it, it looked pretty clean
But when I went to go put the truck in A/T temp check mode, I couldnt.
I fallowed the steps and the wire was good, lights were flashing in the dash cluster. But the A/T temp light wouldnt appear ones I did my 6 shifts from N to P.....
Any help?
I just let the truck run for a few, got it warm, then took the overflow plug out while the truck was still running. Drained out the acces and I "think" It should be at the right level.....

 

Did you mean to say N to D or N to P? Sequence is 6 shifts N to D starting and ending in N with just under a second per shift. There is a video of a guy doing it on one thread. Out of 6 times trying mine, 4 went in, the others my timing was off.

 

^^^ X2 Takes a few tries.

 

Yes, I meant N to D... I geuss my timing was just off. I may try it again some other time. But Im pretty sure Im at the right level.
Thanks!

 

I have an 09 Dbl. Cab TRD Sport and it does NOT have the AT Temp light. Read through the thread as there have been other TRD Sport models that also do not have the AT Temp Light. I tried several times and the light never came on. I then got a flashlight and read all the lights on the gauge cluster and there was no AT Temp light like the one shown in the video. I just let the truck warm up for about 25 minutes or so, shifted through the gears, and checked the AT fluid level per the instructions listed in this thread. Came out fine. Good luck!

 

To DSTaco: Thats exactly what I did! It should really close to the level it needs to be.

 

Yes i had a friend who is a Toyota mechanic check everything with a temp gun for operating temp then check fluid and it was spot on. Guess it is smart

 

^^ I did the temp gun check too....

 

Wow! So glad I found this forum, TONS of great info on here! wish I woulda found it 75K ago, been doing all my own maintenence and the spark plugs took me about four hours the first time around to figure out, but ends up being just like the "sticky" posted on DIY.

Anyway, really wanting to try this drain and fill of my auto transmission. Inquired about it around 30K and was told that it didnt need service until 100K, I thought that was very strange.

Questions I have about this procedure are:
Do you need a certain guage wire to jump the OBD board?
The dealer with the WS fluid is a ways away, so should I NEED more than four qts to do this on level ground?(just read that some have needed more than the 3.2qts.)
Sounds pretty straight forward, is it easy to mess this up?
Finally, is this really needed at 75K or wait till 100K?

Thanks to Fortech for posting this!!!!

 

I did it at 61k miles, and it didnt look that bad, pretty clean. But it is reccomended at 60k. So I would do it if I were you.....
Im not sure about the gauge of wire, I just used what I had, which was some house hold wiring.
I would get 4 just incase. I got 4, but only got about 2.7 out of the tranny.used about 3.

just make sure you get the fill plug and the overflow plug loose first, then drain, and fill like normal. then fallow the procedure after that.

 

how did you use the temp gun to check the level of your trans fluid in your taco?

By mistake I drained some of my trans fluid and then I followed fortechs instructions and filled it up. but I only had to warm up for 3 minutes when the light came on for me. so I am a little concerned that maybe its not the right level.

Appreciate if I can get some instructions on how to use a temp gun and check the level

 

As stated, temp gun check not accurate. What's the outside temp where you're at? I'm in Florida and early in the morning when it was 65F out it took almost 15 minutes for the light to come on, this past weekend with outside temp about 80 it took 2 minutes. Don't think it can be that accurate since I think we're shooting for 125 or so? The 1st time was from letting it sit over nite, the second time was letting it sit about 5 hours, which I thought would be long enough

 

Krookz, about the pictures in your post #85, this thread, what was the mileage at your first fluid change? I've read that about 75% of the wear happens within the first 5000 miles. I know that on my GM Truck with an Allison tranny, a filter (external) change was scheduled after the first 5000 miles.

 

is the fill plug the big ass flat looking nut/bolt on the upperside of the tranny?

 

is there a reason we couldn't just let the truck warm up, drive 10 mins and then check the level like most vehicles?

thanks

 

Stupid question....But how are you all determining how much Fluid came out? Are you draining into a pan that has the measurements for you.. or do you have empty qt bottles laying around that you fill back up?

Just curious. I bought the 4 qts of fluid, but wonder how to measure the amount I take out?

 

You can do either, whatever is easier for you. I roughly graduated a couple of 2 liter bottles that I had in the recycling bin. Poured the drain pan into them after wards for disposal.

 

Just curios, could their be a rationale for why the transmission level is low from the factory? I have yet to change mine but after reading this write up I'm incline to do so.

 

I don't know about the factory but you have a 5 almost 6 year old truck - it's probably past time to change it anyway unless it just sits in the driveway.

 

Less Fluid = Less Cost = Greater Profits $$$