Transmission slipping

Tiny
AURELIO55
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 ISUZU TROOPER
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
At take off the transmission slips for a few seconds and then goes into gear. I think it may be low on fluid, but these transmissions do not come with a dip stick to check the level. I have read the they have a plug that faces down and that's where you have to pump in the fluid until it over flows and that's how you know that it is full. Would someone please let me know if this is true and is so where is the fill plug exactly located.

Thank you in advance.
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Saturday, March 21st, 2015 AT 6:29 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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That is exactly correct. If you look at the transmission pan, at the very bottom is a drain. Don't remove that. The fill plug (if I recall) is on the driver's side about 3 inches up on the side. That is where it is checked. To do this, the engine should be warm, running, and the vehicle needs to be on a flat surface in park. Unless you have a lift, you will have to lay on the floor to check it. Please make sure the vehicle is secure and can't move. All you do is remove the fill plug and trans fluid should come out. If it doesn't, you need to add until it begins leaking out the fill hole.

Here is a diagram to show you what I am talking about. (Below)
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Saturday, March 21st, 2015 AT 10:08 PM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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I will try to get to it today and let you know how it turns out.

Thank you very much
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Sunday, March 22nd, 2015 AT 7:00 AM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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After filling the transmission it still leaks and when I went to fill it I noticed it was leaking from the accumulator piston cover. I ordered the part but I think it may be too late. The Trooper got very low on fluid while my son was driving to school and it would not move any more. I filled it at the parking lot that he had left it at. When I tried driving it it just drove for a short distance until it would not go forward but would go in reverse. Could it be that the leak on the accumulator cover has just gotten worse and the transmission does not have enough pressure to go forward. Will it be ok once the new cover is installed and the trans filled? This is a 2000 Trooper 4WD V6 automatic with roughly 150,000 miles.
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Monday, October 26th, 2015 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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There is a chance that is the problem. At this point, the only way to be certain is to try it.
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Tuesday, October 27th, 2015 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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I replaced the accumulator cover and filled the trans as much as possible, but it still would hardly move. It does drive in reverse, so not really sure if it's gone bad or if it still needs more fluid. The problem about the fluid is, this type of transmission does not have a dip stick where you add the fluid, it has to be pumped in through a fill plug that faces down. Also if the transmission has to be hot by driving it in order to be able to take in the fluid, how can I get it hot if it won't drive enough to take it for a drive? If you know of any other way to fill the trans to it's limit please advise. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, this is my son's school transportation and now we are in a bind.
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Thursday, October 29th, 2015 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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To fill it, the engine must be running, remove the fill plug, and add fluid until it reaches the bottom of the fill hole and begins to run out.
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Thursday, October 29th, 2015 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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There are two plugs, one around the center of the pan-facing down and the second is in a receded corner of the pan on the passenger side. If the fill plug is on the side do you know what side? Since this transmission does not have a dip stick tube nothing surprises me.
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Thursday, October 29th, 2015 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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I just found your message from March 21st and you stated the location being on the drivers side about 3" up. I'll check it out tomorrow. Thanks!
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Thursday, October 29th, 2015 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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I added fluid until it started coming out of the over fill hole, but it still won't go forward just reverse. I did see a code come up in the dash it is 2- 8 1, not sure what that means. Is it transmission related?
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Friday, October 30th, 2015 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Honestly, I'm not sure what that code is. If you have a scanner, use it to get a code. The code should be a P0 with 3 numbers following or a P and 4 numbers following.
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Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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Ok thanks
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Monday, November 9th, 2015 AT 3:21 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Let me now what you find.
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Monday, November 9th, 2015 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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  • 36 POSTS
Will do, hopefully the scanner shows codes on transmissions.
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Tuesday, November 10th, 2015 AT 3:21 AM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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By any chance do you think it may be that if the transmission filter is kinda clogged, it would make the transmission not go forward? I'm thinking about removing the trans pan and checking whats in it, if there isn't much stuff in the pan I'm hoping that it just needed the filter changed and fresh fluid. Your thoughts?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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Also while i'm in there, can the transmission bands be adjusted?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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A service usually doesn't help too much; however, it may be a good idea in this case. Not only could the filter be plugged, but it would also give you a chance to see if there is an excessive amount of clutch material in it as well as any metal chips. As far as the bands, yes, they can be adjusted, but if I recall, the valve body will need removed. I don't feel that is the issue.
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Sunday, November 15th, 2015 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
AURELIO55
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So I replaced the filter and when I took the pan off it was pretty clean. It did have a magnet inside and it had a layer of what seemed like about a 1/6" thick buddy film. That was probably just old fluid and the filter did not look too bad. I assembled it back and added 4 quarts which was about what came out and then I pumped in the fifth quart. Just a little bit after that about 1/2 a quart started pouring out and I put on the plug. When I went to test drive it, it would still not drive forward. It is either shot or I'm not adding the fluid correctly? The way I added the fluid was, while it was in neutral I pumped in the fluid through the recessed hole in the corner of the pan and the transmission seemed warm enough. So I took it in and the shop had to replace the transmission cost me $1,800.00. But at least it is running again thanks for your help.
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Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 AT 3:37 AM
Tiny
HERMESDAVID
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Aurelio,

Were you able to check what was the problem with the components inside the transmission? I have the exact issue with my 2000 Trooper. I know I am going to have to take it to a shop but at least I want to have an idea of the failing component.
Thank you
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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 AT 5:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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I'm glad to hear it is running again. However, sorry to hear it took a transmission. It sounds like you filled it correctly. With the engine running, you were to fill it until it started coming out. If that's what you did, that is correct.

Let us know if you have questions in the future.

Joe
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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
XING JIANG
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I have same issue and I got a quote to rebuilt transmission for $2,000.00. I want know how long it will last. My car has 110,000 miles.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 8:05 PM

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