DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission

I’ve done all the steps... when is the perfect time to Check my tranny fluid when the A/T Temp light is blinking or when it stays on? I’ve seen other posts where it says blinking light means it’s too hot to measure the fluid..I’m confused

 

When it stays on.

 

You know how it says it will stay on for 2 seconds on N then going back to P another 2 second then goes away.... well mine just stays on it never goes away..

 

Does it have to disappear after two seconds when on N and and P?

 

Let the truck cool down. Then try it again.

 

I’m just going to leave this here
https://youtu.be/TF1EQc4A0Hk

 

I got it to work... what the description doesn’t tell you is you count from N shift to D as two!!! So shift from N(that’s one) to D(that’s two) and continue to do so until you get to six... then shift back to P...

My problem was I counted shift fromN to D as one when it should be two!!! I’m sure most of the people here that have been unsuccessful are doing or have done the same problem... but I’m good now and it worked thanks!!!

 

When I did mine, I just played the video while I sat in the truck and copied the moves on the shifting as it played. Did it two other times and muscle memory took over. Glad you got it figured out.

 

I guess I should’ve just done that... FYI I was also able to do it on an fj cruiser so it also works for an fj cruiser.... took me a whole day to do both cars...

 

OK, not to be the idiot here, I plan on doing this soon via the trans cooler.. when 3/8 tubing is mentioned, is this the 3/8 tubing with the 1/4 inside diameter?

 

3/8 inner diameter

 

Ahh ok. Thank you! Crom's DIY flush post had the wrong type of tubing linked, lol!

 

I turned the first post into a PDF that is more print friendly, its 12 pages. Hopefully it helps someone else.

 

Just did mine today for the second time.
I found that there is no need to use the fill plug on the tranny to replenish after pulling the drain plug. What I did was pulled the level checking bolt. Fill from the cooler line until you see fluid out of the check level. About 2 quarts. Plug the level check, then add another quart.
I was using a drill pump.
Then had the wife run the truck while filling. Have to say, the truck was draining faster than I could add. If I started to go too fast, my hose would pop off. What a fing mess.
The fluid that came out didn't look too bad at all. I might go an extra 10k next time. Was 30k, this time and even did some towing with it. Have to say the Valvoline held up pretty well compared to the breakin/WS fluid as it was pretty dark on first change.

Filled her up, ran the truck till she hit 115 on the scanguage. Check fluid while runng. Done.

This is a great thread op. Thanks for posting.

 

Just flushed mine today via the Crom method with the Wally World 5 dollar sprayer. Went through 4 gallons because the old fluid was BROWN! Then i had to buy another gallon because i wasnt paying close enough attention and drained more than i put in, so the check plug had nothing at all come out at 115. Also added 10 oz of lubragard platinum and i am definitely noticing a smoother shift now.. not sure if because of lubragard or the fluid change or both, but definitely not placebo! Used the bluetooth OBDII and torque app to measure trans temp. Easy process just kind of time consuming but its nice saving 200 bucks doing it myself!

 

Just did the full flush on my 2013 4x4 SR5 at 54k miles using Valvoline Maxlife ATF. It took 4 hours to do it myself at a normal working pace. The thing that took the longest was pumping 13 quarts in using the

Custom Accessories 36670 Pennzoil Fluid Transfer Pump - Quart

$12 CUSTOM ACCESSORIES Pennzoil 36670 Pennzoil Fluid Transfer Pump - Quart

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DKQZ9Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

From Amazon. Don't use it. It took 300 plus pumps to empty each quart.



For the tubing, I used the

Valterra W01-1400PB 3/8" I.D. x 10' Clear Vinyl Tubing with Header

from Amazon also and that worked real well. It went right on without having to do a relief cut.


Thanks to Tunnel Vision 4x4's video on Youtube. That was really helpful. My WS ATF was dark red and didn't smell burnt. It looked like it could go another 10k, but I don't go off road or tow a trailer. I'll update my post if I regret using the Valvoline Maxlife ATF. So far, it shifts real well.

 

Next time use a 5 dollar walmart pump sprayer with a 3/8 hose clamped to the stem, as per Crom. Super easy and i just tossed the sprayer after using it, although wasteful i couldnt justify cleaning the atf out just to store it to use in another 4 years.

 

You need a drill pump. $7.99 Just attach you drill and pump away.Check below in the products discussed from Amazon.

 

Thanks. I wished I had known this before. Probably would have cut 2 hours off of the 4 hour job! Those hand bottle pumps are ok for differentials, but not for transmissions.

 

Yeah, the drill pump is the way to go.
Think I completed mine in under an hour. Honestly, it took more time setting up and getting the leaks taken care of during fill than actually flushing. Didn't have the right sized clamps. Nothing but an addl run to auto store. I despise the messy work, but push through as I know it needs done
Did my son's Impala the same way. Didn't even drain the pan, and after 3 gallons it was looking pretty good.