3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY

Yup that’s what I did but the same thing happened. No warm up, solid D and it took roughly 5 minutes for the D to start blinking..

 

Which year is your truck?

 

2018 manufacturing
2019 according to VIN number

 

For putting a truck in the temp check mode, do you jump OBDII pins prior the stick manipulations?

 

Jumper is installed before anything, aka "key-off" state. Be sure you have the right pins, there's a reason newer model years don't use that process.

 

What's the reason? I have a 2021.

 

Yes. Before I start it. I’m wondering maybe if I cycle to accessory mode before starting it, that might change things ..

 

The OBD port always has power, get the jumper on the wrong pins and it may damage something. An easy and potentially very costly mistake.

 

So you think Toyota removed the required pins from the OBD port from the newer vehicles so people that were checking their ATF could not make a mistake. My 2021 does not have the pins on the OBD port and I have to use TechStream. Which by the way I have not gotten to work correctly.

 

You can do it without Techstream.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-level-check-diy.547455/page-12#post-22645913

 

This procedure did not work on my 2021.

 

So I know this is a stupid question but I'm wondering what happens if the transmission is overfilled by a half a quart to a quart. I haven't done this (yet) but as I have only a cursory understanding of transmissions I'm just curious.

 

Im probably wrong, but Im going to do my fluid soon. Im going to have it parked on a level surface, and Im just going to drain it ice cold. Im going to measure what comes out. And Im going to pump fluid in until it weeps from the fill hole. Cold out/Cold in. How bad can that really be?

 

It could be really bad! I posted the instructions. See
(1) 3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY | Page 20 | Tacoma World

 

part number of the filter you used?

 

Here's the Filter:
https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-transmission-filter-3533004010

The Gasket is designed to be re-usable, so you shouldn't need a new one; but if you want one anyway, here it is:
https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-pan-gasket-3516804010

And, Mr. Gearcruncher has some excellent advice here regarding LubeGard:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rite-up-with-pics.361114/page-4#post-24529990

 

Seriously how wrong can it be if I drain ambient temp fluid from drain plug, and pump ambient temp fluid back in. I honestly don't understand.

 

If you dont know what the base level is in the system, you are just throwing darts at a board. if you are high or low, you wouldnt know. Ski

 

Nothing is wrong with the theory with one big IF. IF the level was correct to begin with. There have been many posts where the user has not found the fluid to be at the proper level from the factory - don't know how true these posts are.

Your prior post #434 had two conflicting statements. One was you were going to measure what you got out, the other was to fill with cold fluid until it overflowed. It is not clear from your post your intentions, please review your writing. This second idea was the worst as then you would definitely have an overfilled transmission when the fluid warmed up, i.e. fluid expands when it gets hot. This IIRC produces a foaming liquid, liquids filled with a bunch of air do not flow properly. An automatic transmission depends upon a dependable flowing liquid. Much like a brake system with lots of air in the fluid will not work well.

This is a very long thread to read through and understand every nuance. There were some YouTube videos showing a mockup of the ATF pan and its workings with the fluid level check port.

Oh, one more important thing, when the level is checked the engine must be running.

 

Does anyone know the part number for the hex head bolt? I think the drain and overflow are of this type but the fill bolt is a hex cap screw that could be prone to stripping.

I'm curious about the Lube guard fluid. Does anyone have experience with it? For ~$15, seems like an easy investment while performing a fluid change.