Tranny fluid mystery bolts???

[Joe Isuzu]

dang, upon closer inspection, it sure looks like a torx bit would work and I thought a t-40 was the right side, dang thing didn't budge at all and I almost go to the point where I was going to strip it,
this sucks
come on mechanics of the VX world, is anyone familiar with these things?
please?

[rocket man]

This transmission was built in France, then shipped to Japan, to install in out trusty steeds...

France has always liked to be on the cutting edge of being, "different" or is the more approiate word, "strange".....

I would order replacement plugs from Isuzu then r&r..but beware this may be a "re-threaded" replacement and the stock no longer fit's Perhaps the previous owner did this masterpiece

[JHarris1385]

I really doubt the previous owner did that. I have the same bolts and I have seen the same in the gallery here as well. It seems like some were shipped this way.

[nfpgasmask]

OK, how many of you have a 2000 VX with those type plugs? I have a 2001 and mine do not look like that either. Maybe this is something on the 2000s only, and the 99s and 01s have the "regular" type plugs?

Bart

[rocket man]

Wow, bummer for you to have this problem. Not so much a "problem" I guess as it is an agravation...as its a super easy fix, with the right tools and equip...

If your going to service the transmission anyway, you need to replace/or should replace the filter. It is in the same oil pan.

So you'll need and oil pan gasket and filter too...remove the oil pan bolts. It's probably gonna leak, but sometimes they've been on there so long, they may be on there pretty good. If so, gently tap on the pan walls, or carefully pry it open. Be sure to keep one of the corner bolts on....but loosen it about a full turn or two...you'll need a low profile(if you doing this on your back) wide radius pan to catch the oil when it finally gushes out (do this after the engine has cooled off....Once you have the pan off...Drill out these odd plug's and replace or take it to a transmission shop and ask them if they could kindly remove them, they'd probably do it for free. Auto Zone probably has these plugs and filter or Napa. Or order from Merlin or local Isuzu dealer...also these plugs may be availabe at your local Acura dealer...as your transmission is identical to a 1998-99 Acura SLX 4x4 3.5 w/tod...


Good luck

[Joe Isuzu]

thanks for the input Rocketman. Already have the tranny filter and replacement gasket, along with that smaller gasket as mentioned in Joe Black's write-up. All excited about doing the complete tranny job and have to deal with this crap. Yes, worst case scenario is to do it your way as you are correct I will need to take off the pan anyway to get to the filter. However, I'm would much prefer to let it mostly drain out the way it's supposed to, much less messy that way. We'll see. I guess I'm just floored that this really is a mystery to our group here. At least I have JHarris to keep me company on this! haha

[Ldub]

At least I have JHarris to keep me company on this! haha

I'm sure that's of great comfort...

Also, remember to soak all the cross member bolts with PB blaster ahead of time, as that also has to come off to drop the pan.

[Joe Isuzu]

I'm sure that's of great comfort...

Also, remember to soak all the cross member bolts with PB blaster ahead of time, as that also has to come off to drop the pan.

Thanks Ldub, even if I forgot to do that, after cursing and scraping my knuckles I would probably get around to using the PB blaster eventually. My knuckles thank you for the reminder!

[nfpgasmask]

I'm sure that's of great comfort...

Also, remember to soak all the cross member bolts with PB blaster ahead of time, as that also has to come off to drop the pan.

The most enjoyable part of dropping the cross member is all the dirt and crust that falls down with it (wear some goggles) and then, you have the added task of disconnecting all the wires that are connected to the cross member as well.

Bart

[Joe Isuzu]

UGHHHHH
didn't even notice that there are wires attached to the crossmember, I'm sure it's not too hard but man, something ELSE to think about
Hey thanks Bart-man!

[nfpgasmask]

UGHHHHH
didn't even notice that there are wires attached to the crossmember, I'm sure it's not too hard but man, something ELSE to think about
Hey thanks Bart-man!

Its not that hard, its just annoying, dirty, heavy and upside-down.

Bart

[Joe Isuzu]

**Quick update**
Got the crossmember off (acted like it had never come off before), got the transmission pan off, got the little pan in front of the transmission pan off, disconnected the lines in the front near the radiator (see Joe Black's "How to" list on changing tranny fluid). Jumped in, got ready to turn it on and go through the gears and the shiftlock feature is inoperative. i.e., I can't get it out of park. Now, in the "how to" article the tranny pan wasn't removed. I had to remove it b/c I wanted to change the filter as well as get those da*n mystery bolts out. Am I unable to shift out of park until the new filter and transmission pan are back on? Did I inadvertently disconnect something and fail to realize it? Help guys, I'm hoping to make some headway this weekend.

[rocket man]

I know this might be a little remedial but your description dosn't mention that you actually inserted the ignition key and twisted it...Only that you "got ready " to turn it on... also be sure to put your foot on the brake too. You need to do both...then see if you can get it out of park or be able to turn the steering wheel for that matter..

Other than that I can't imagine you did anything to the lockout mechanism on the shift linkage

Good luck

John

[Ldub]

**Quick update**
Got the crossmember off (acted like it had never come off before), got the transmission pan off, got the little pan in front of the transmission pan off, disconnected the lines in the front near the radiator (see Joe Black's "How to" list on changing tranny fluid). Jumped in, got ready to turn it on and go through the gears and the shiftlock feature is inoperative. i.e., I can't get it out of park. Now, in the "how to" article the tranny pan wasn't removed. I had to remove it b/c I wanted to change the filter as well as get those da*n mystery bolts out. Am I unable to shift out of park until the new filter and transmission pan are back on? Did I inadvertently disconnect something and fail to realize it? Help guys, I'm hoping to make some headway this weekend.

You DON'T do Joe Blacks tranny flush with the pan off...EVER!
Re-read his how to, you are mis-understanding some aspect of this procedure...

[nfpgasmask]

Dude, take the pan off. Remove old filter and dispose of properly. Remove magnet. Clean magnet off with shop towel. Clean out pan with shop towel. Replace magnet in bottom of pan. Replace tranny filter. Place new gasket on top of tranny pan. Replace tranny pan. Fill tranny with at least 3-4 quarts of fluid. Then run through the checking procedures as per the manual.

Joe's Black's tranny flush DOES NOT include dropping the pan. I would not start my VX and run through the gears without the pan, and filter on, and some fluid in the tranny.

PM me if you are having more trouble.

Bart