Originally Posted by fantic238

When you did the fluid change did they/you flush ALL the old fluid or just changed what came out of the pan?

Originally Posted by danimal

I'm no tranny expert, but I'll share an experience I had on my last truck. Tranny was a 4L60E and the fluid was brown and smelled burned. It had 99,000 miles on it at the time. I took the truck in to two different transmission shops all worried that it was on it's way out. Both shops asked me the same question, "is the trans slipping or making any noise". My answer to both was no. They said to leave it alone. Don't change the fluid or filter and just keep an eye on the level. If it drops a little put a little in. They said that the longer you can drive it (provided it's not slipping or making noise) you're money ahead. Apparently the detergents in the new ATF will break down whatever material is left and it will hasten failure and you're better off running the old fluid. Like I said before, it was just my experience. I might've questioned their advice, but two shops told me the same thing and both could've just rebuilt my trans and made some money off me, but advised me instead. This would've been and excellent tactic to get my business eventually, however the tranny never failed.

I continued to drive that truck without any problems. When I sold it, it had 187,000 miles on it and it still had the original transmission in it.

It might be too late for yours since you've already changed the fluid, but maybe someone else can benefit.

Originally Posted by Jeep Guy

just what was in the pan I think. I only had to put like 7 or 8 quarts in to top it off after I drained and replaced the filter.

Originally Posted by Jeep Guy

would a rebuild be a good option? I'm in northern MI and I have a friend who rebuilds tranny's and he's willing to do the work for free. Would that take care of my problems? and also I would be getting a new torque converter with the rebuild.

Originally Posted by fantic238

Then prolly it got mixed up with the other 3/4 quarts that were still in the torque converter and in the cooling system.

Originally Posted by Jeep Guy

so do you have any thoughts for any of my concerns? should I be worried? what could be the problem with it shifting hard from 1st to 2nd? should I change the fluid again since it's been about a year? what about the grinding that someone else mentioned... would I feel the grinding in the pedal? should I rebuild before it gets real bad?

Like I said once I drive it around for a while the shifting gets smoother between 1st and 2nd.

Originally Posted by fantic238

Since the old fluid was black and smelled burnt you certainly have some carbonization of either the clutch band or the disks of one of the gears. Basically what can go "bad" already went bad so unless you have slipping i would leave it like this, grinding issues are another problem and unless you found a considerable amount of metal particles on the magnet it's not your case.

Originally Posted by fantic238

Why don't you download the AW4 manual from here: http://www.greatlakesxj.com/tech.html
and read the trouble shooting section, i always say it's better to learn from a manual than listen to "expert mechanics"...

Originally Posted by 95Cherokee

I agree with new ATF screwing things up, I changed mine about 1000 miles ago, now it's developed a leak of fluid where the drive shaft fits into the transmission

I'm currently searching for a thread about how to repair/change that seal but can't find one yet.

Originally Posted by Jeep Guy

let me know when you do I have a very small leak in the same area.

Originally Posted by Jeep Guy

one more question: if I am burning trans fluid my fluid level should decrease over time, right?

thanks for the link.

Originally Posted by fantic238

No, the fluid does not burn, the smell and color come from burnt friction material.