Hi, I'm new here. I have a 95 jeep cherokee, and lastnight I dropped the transmission pan. I put a new filter in, put a new gasket in and cleaned out the inside of the pan and the magnets. I put it back on, i had some trouble getting it in place because of the dip stick tube. I don't think I got the part of the tube that comes out all the way back in. Now I'm not sure if my fluid level readings are accurate. I put in 5 quarts and it's driving fine. How can I tell if I have enough fluid? And how can I get the dip stick tube in the right place?

 

Can u see a line/area of different color on the upper tube above the joint?....if so, then it's not fully seated. If not fully seated, how much of the line is above the lower tube?.....1/8" or maybe 1/4", etc.?....that would be the amount to lower the mark(s) on the dipstick by. If u can't see a line/area of different color on the upper tube, then it's probably fully seated.

 

I think it's about 1/2 way up the top tube. I'm not sure exactly, it could be all the way up, but I don't think it is. Does anyone know how much transmission fluid it takes to fill it after a pan drop and filter change?

 

What is "1/2 way up the top tube"???? Can whatever that is be transferred to the dip stick????

U really need to determine if the tube is seated or not and if it's not, u need to determine by how much it is not seated. I would think 2 different pan drops would yield 2 different amounts of fluid drained so telling u how much fresh fluid to add would not be reliable/accurate. When the hot fluid level is at the proper mark on the dip stick is when fluid is at the proper level......not just pouring X amount of cold fluid in and calling it a day.

If fluid level on the dip stick was observed correct prior to the pan drop and the amount of drained fluid was accurately measured, then that amount of fresh fluid could be added back and called good. The fluid level on the dipstick should be frequently checked when hot.

 

That basically sums it up, djb.

OP, a thing to try, is to disconnect the "top" part of the dipstick (that is bolted to the block) and try " from above" for the dipstick to be seated correctly. Clamp a good vice grip unto the tube and tap downwards on the vice grip (not the tube) with hammer until its fully seated. Don't go all crazy with the hammering.