I just changed the filter and fluid on my 1990 aw4.
I filled it up to the cold full mark and took it for a drive. When everything was nice and hot I cycled through the gears and went to check the level. Now it was below where it was on the cold mark, so I topped it off until it was just under the full hot mark and thought everything was ok. (Btw I let the oil drain down before rechecking. In idle to keep it warm)
Today though I took it for a drive and it shifted funny, so I stopped to check the level again. This time it was way over full hot, a good 2-3 inches. How am I supposed to do this? I am going to drain out some tomorrow and see if I can bring it down to the correct level.

But what is correct level? Cold full turns out to be less than cold full when hot and hot full is way to much...

 

I usually check the level engine warm and must be running. Pull the stick, wipe it clean, put it back (make sure it's fully seated). Run through all the gears, slowly, back to park. Check the stick for the acurate reading.

If you over the trans it will slosh excessively and get air bubbles in it (true for the crank case as well), and lessen the fluids ability to cool and lubricate.

 

I know how to check. I am wondering which of the full marks I should aim for.

 

Were you parked on a slope when you checked it hot the first time? Need to be level.

 

Level every time.
Sorted it out today by draining a little bit out and adding very little between checking

 

Too many brewskis eh?

 

LOL!!!
You say you know how to check???
Apparently Not!

 

I meant that I know that I need to go through the gears and pull the dipstick etc..

 

Park? Shouldnt it be in N? On my stick it say N. But is there any difference between N or P

 

Yes there is. In Neutral the pump is on, not in Park.
However, having said that, when I did my ATF forward flush, I was advised to do that in Neutral, sinnce otherwise the pump would not engange. To my surprise it did pump, both in P as well as N....ended up doing it in N.

 

As for the OP's question. I know you seem to have it sorted (but for future reference)
don't bee offended, but:
1) did you also wait long enough after topping up through the filler tube?
2)did you check the level BOTH sides of the dipstick? When I check levels, one side is always way higher then the other.

With ATF it takes only 500 ml to go from ADD to FULL...

 

I waited about 24 hrs.
Yes I check both sides.



I suppose I should of asked "How to fill AW4"