Hi,

For the last couple years I've had a small leak in my transmission (AW70), and have been adding a little bit of fluid (maybe a few tablespoons a month) to keep it topped off.
About a month ago I was adding fluid and accidentally slipped, pouring way too much in at once. I drained roughly what had gone in from the reservoir plug, and checked the level for the next few days under hot and cold conditions to be sure it had settled off at a good place.
Fast forward about a month later, and I began hearing a grinding noise when pushing the accelerator. I decided to check my fluid again and discovered something baffling. When the engine is cold, the dipstick now reads way overfilled, suggesting there is too much fluid in the transmission. However, when the car is warmed up and running, it displays no fluid at all!
I have repeated this test several times now to be sure that is the case. My question is, which is it, overfilled or under filled? Also, am I correct to assume the fluid level is the culprit for my grinding noise?

Stumped on this one
Aidan

Everytime you need to check the fluid level, you first need to shift thru all the gears, pausing 4-5 seconds in each gear before returning to Park. Then wait for 2 minutes before pulling the dipstick out to read. Do these with engine running all the time.

Use the COLD scale on the dipstick, If you checking this first thing in the morning and engine has been idling not more than 10 minutes.

Use the HOT scale instead if car has been driven a few miles, say back home after a shopping trip.

I've tried reading the dipstick before 2 minutes and level would still be low.

After adding your fluid, go thru the procedure again to check the level.

Amarin

When you say that when the car is warmed up and running-----which is the way to most accurately check an auto transmission fluid level, it shows no or low fluid. How are you checking when cold? There are two levels shown on the dipstick. Cold means not fully warmed up (engine and trans) but with the engine running. Hot means fully warmed up (not just the engine--the car has to be driven a distance for the trans oil to be HOT), with the engine running. If you are checking the level with the engine not running you are not ever going to get an accurate reading. It's unclear your method of checking the level. -- Dave