vx is shifting badly

[IndianaVX]

so is the "sticking finger in hole" operation to check level, temperature, or type of metal certain round body parts are made of ?? I would assume that full would mean that as you fill, fluid would run out, and then stop when it can no longer "run" over the lowest edge of the hole,now its full,- correct??? also, i dont have a scan tool, so will my moms candy thermometer, (or equivilant,) work...not sticking the thermometer in there, sticking the turkey baster in there (or syphon) to get some fluid out,put fluid in jar, and check temp. or can you drive a half mile to get to check temp, or will tran fluid warm up along with engine temp. i have to change tran fluid, and would like to do it myself, in two changes. so i want to be doing this right. have read the other post on this also.
thanks in advance
david

[mbeach]

I generally check diff fluid level with my finger -the transmission fluid could be at any level below the hole -especially if the trans is warm. I've jammed my pinky in there, just to see if I could feel fluid. This is not the way to do it, but I tried it anyways. The correct way to check the level on the transmission is to open it up and add fluid until it runs out.
I don't see your average mechanic at Jiffy Lube just "throwing fluid away" to see if the transmission is full or not. They'd open up a hot tranny, and since no fluid came out, they would assume that it was full. After all, the truck is running.
I have a cool pyrometer at work -it's like a little temp sensing gun. It's come in handy for about a dozen jobs around the truck. I'd like to get one, they run about $150. I'll be that it would do a fine job of checking the temperature of the transmission pan.

[stu]

No I changed the oil myself and did nothing to the transmision fluid. I Just checked it yestarday and noticed that it looked like it had a lot of metallic color to it which to me does not seem to be a good sign. However I did not check it the way you are suppose to I just opened it up and some came running out the engine was not on. It seems to be engaging and disengaging like the transmision is confused or something. I checked the tire pressure and it was way low. Filled them up to 50psi. but still have same problem. Not sure what else to do. Really do not want to take it to a shop if it is something I can do myself. The VX has about 72000 miles right now and not sure if it needs to have trans fluid changed I have only had the vx for the past 6000 miles or so.

[WyldWeasel]

I took mine into the local Oil & Lube place the day I bought it. The idiot pit jockey's put Mobil One oil instead of ATF into the transfer case. Luckily they refused to service the tranny because it didnt have a dipstick and I took it to the dealer the next day for a flush and they discovered the issue and flushed the transfer case and refilled it with ATF.

Also, if your tranny seems to not know what gear to be in, it might need a mode selector switch. Do a search of the forum for that info, it seems to be a common problem that crops up when tranny's act up.

[Ldub]

I knew I'd seen this kickin' around somewhere & here it is.
I know it's redundant, but may be of some help.

[WyldWeasel]

As I said back in Moab, you rawk, Ldub!

[Ldub]

I can't take any credit for that...someone else posted it, I just habitually save every bit of useful info. that I see & keep it for future reference...IF I can find it. Truth is, I got lucky this time, but thanks.