[Long_Voyager94]

Please, do share,, where from? Any link? I need this.

Dorman 917-327 is the dipstick tool.

 

[Westphal]

Link?

Dorman Automatic Transmission Dipstick 917-327 (autozone.com)

Not sure if I actually bought it at Autozone, as they're available online.

 

[Sienile]

Oh, I thought you meant one designed to be left in.

 

[beretta96]

Regarding checking transmission fluid levels.....

Paired with an OBDLink MX+ OBDII bluetooth device, I use the OBD Fusion app on my iPhone to determine the transmission fluid temperature on my '14 T&C.

@georgef provided some AWESOME instructions on how to create a custom PID in the OBD Fusion app to get your transmission fluid (ATF) temperature. I have also installed the Dorman drainable transmission fluid pan -- P/N: 265-833.

To check ATF levels, I drive the van for ~30 minutes and then park it on a level surface. I use the engine oil dipstick to measure the ATF level, in millimeters, in the pan. After measuring how far up the stick the ATF goes, I use this chart to assess whether my ATF is at the proper level.

EDIT: Removed indications to check the fluid level with the engine not running.

 

[2019GTlife]

Much newer cars can also leave you stranded. If the vehicle is properly maintained the chances of an incident are low. You can never have a 100% confidence in anything. Even a brand new rental can leave you stranded. Nothing is guaranteed.

But when I am on vacation and the transmission blows in the rental vehicle they bring another vehicle and I am back to vacation.

 

[2019GTlife]

Regarding checking transmission fluid levels.....

Paired with an OBDLink MX+ OBDII bluetooth device, I use the OBD Fusion app on my iPhone to determine the transmission fluid temperature on my '14 T&C.

@georgef provided some AWESOME instructions on how to create a custom PID in the OBD Fusion app to get your transmission fluid (ATF) temperature. I have also installed the Dorman drainable transmission fluid pan -- P/N: 265-833.

To check ATF levels, I drive the van for ~30 minutes and then park it on a level surface. I turn the van's engine off and let it sit for ~45 seconds. I use the engine oil dipstick to measure the ATF level, in millimeters, in the pan. After measuring how far up the stick the ATF goes, I use this chart to assess whether my ATF is at the proper level.

I thought the transmission was checked with the engine running???

 

[beretta96]

I thought the transmission was checked with the engine running???

That's a great question!! I found conflicting information when I Googled it.

 

[Long_Voyager94]

That's a great question!! I found conflicting information when I Googled it.

Fluid should always be checked with the engine running and at operating temp.

 

[Sienile]

Only vehicles I've seen that call for A/T fluid checks when off are all Hondas.

 

[HOTSTUFF]

I have a 2012 TnC that I purchased with. 23K on it. I'm still driving it daily with 170K on the odometer without any problems. I can still drive her from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA, and not worry about it. I have also driven a long distance to Chicago, DC, and LA from Arizona. The only issue I ever had is that when towing it burns A LOT OF FUEL because it’s FWD so pulling consumes fuel. On a full tank, I can drive from Yuma Az to San Diego and back without refueling until I’m back in Arizona. The only other issue is that I had to replace the driver and passenger window regulators because the cheap nylon rollers broke in the door. It was easy to replace so if you ever have that problem you can google the instructions on replacing them on YouTube. As long as you maintain it you’ll have no problems with it. Hope this helps!

 

[Mopar John]

Dorman 917-327 is the dipstick tool.

Thanks,, but I'm somewhat confused.. there's no dipstick Tube on tranny, for this stick to go into?

 

[HOTSTUFF]

I have and had 6 or more Chrysler/Dodge vans. I have kept all to 200k and above. All were maintained well and above standards. What I learned....... Do the minimum maintenance, never change the transmission fluid and pray. All of the vehicles have had the same issues. Transmission failure one at 30 k, y valve and other coolant leaks, AC issues, mostly rear, electrical gremlins, brake issues. Everything you read about on the forums. The only issue I am angry about is the transmission. Same product for years never fixed. All cars have issues. New or old. At least I know how to fix them all on this platform LOL.

 

[Jeepman]

Only vehicles I've seen that call for A/T fluid checks when off are all Hondas.

Warm them up, shut them off and take a reading. How much simpler can that be. Some say to check them cold but the 2004 Acura TSX I am familiar with says warm the engine up.

Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut off the engine.

You know the rest.

For the 62TE, like the 41TE it's based on, the level is determined with the engine running except for the "cold turkey" method which is covered more specifically at:

What is your ATF reading first thing (before starting...

So, were were talking about the ATF level on before a cold start and were wondering what other folks were seeing in their cars. Discussion in this thread for the curious. https://chryslerminivan.net/threads/getting-wildly-different-atf-level-readings-in-short-time-what-am-i-doing-wrong.175558/...

www.chryslerminivan.net

Back to engine running measurement:
If you look at the chart for 130F to 180F, 34 mm is in there. It's high for 130F but low for 180F. That's quite a spread, I think. Some say their temperatures don't get above 140F after a normal run, a long way off from 180F operating temperature. Some say 160F to 170F which seems more normal for say Spring/Fall weather. We need more data on that metric. At -17F ambient temperature, 100F may be all you get. Ask Long_Voyager94.

Anyway, if you have a fluid level reading of 34 mm, you have a wide range of temperatures that it works with.

 

[Long_Voyager94]

Thanks,, but I'm somewhat confused.. there's no dipstick Tube on tranny, for this stick to go into?

There is, it's under the intake, it has a cap on it.

 

[Jeepman]

Thanks,, but I'm somewhat confused.. there's no dipstick Tube on tranny, for this stick to go into?

It's partly hidden by a big chunk of wire harness. Here's a picture of the plug plus a lot more information:

A 62TE Dipstick Revisit- Based on 80F and 180F temperatures

I have looked at many, supposedly helpful/sometimes helpful Threads, Posts and YouTube videos about measuring the 62TE's transmission fluid level, and only noticed one so far, that talks about operating temperature, not max or beyond operating temperature, or for that matter, doing a measurement...

www.chryslerminivan.net

Filler Tube Plug

A quarter turn ccw and pull up. Note the "O" ring gasket, a little ATF+4 on that won't hurt.

 

[FredJohnson]

Or be way ahead of the curve and do the external relay fix before you need it and have a spare relay in the glove box.

I certainly understand the concern regarding the failure of the fuel pump relay; however, I would like to know more about how frequent this is with our 5th generation minivans. The safety recall was for "2011–2013 (WD) Dodge Durango, and 2011–2013 (WK) Jeep Grand Cherokee." Help me understand why I should be concerned for my 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan, other than the obvious relationship between the recalled vehicles and my Grand Caravan. Is this simply a case of the manufacturer only doing the bare minimum that they must do by law. (I would not be surprised.) I just want to know the relative risk for my minivan relative to the vehicles that are actually being recalled under
"Safety Recall V62 / NHTSA 19V-813 Fuel Pump Relay."

 

[Sienile]

Exactly that. The TIPM used in the Durango and JGC is the same exact part number as the one in our vans. It fails just as often. It happened to me when my van was just 4 years old. And a search in the 5th gen forum for "fuel pump" will reveal a ton of people that thought they had a dead pump, but it was actually the relay.

 

[KOG]

Use an infrared thermometer to read the bottom of the transmission pan so you can use the fill chart. There's also a special dealer tool dipstick with thermometer which probably costs a fortune.

 

[Louprotecteur]

To answer the owner's original question, if proprelly maintained, yes it should do the trip fine. They are great road trip vehicle. Get rid of the easy to avoid Achilles heels when you have a chance:

• Change 2x plastic heater hose "Y" to aluminum.
• Plastic oil cooler to aluminum oil cooler
• Make sure your fluids are up to date
• Spare tire test
• General vehicle inspection
• Bob's your uncle

 

[Mopar John]

To answer the owner's original question, if proprelly maintained, yes it should do the trip fine. They are great road trip vehicle. Get rid of the easy to avoid Achilles heels when you have a chance:

• Change 2x plastic heater hose "Y" to aluminum.
• Plastic oil cooler to aluminum oil cooler
• Make sure your fluids are up to date
• Spare tire test
• General vehicle inspection
• Bob's your uncle

When you say, "change 2x plastic heater hose "Y".." are you saying there's two of these, shaped in a Y, or change it two times? Also the Plastic oil cooler? Are these evident on the 2015 Town and country? I'll have to look for this.