Trans Fluid Level

'98 3.1 L - The Haynes manual I have says to check the transmission fluid level with the vehicle elevated level and running before removing the plug.

But I took a look at a Chilton manual and it says to remove the battery...elevate vehicle to level and then check the fluid.

Does it matter if the vehicle is running?

the verhile has to be running or you will not get an accurate reading also you should cycle it through drive reverse and all the other spots on the shifter before checking it. and you dont really need to raise it up if you dont have the capibility you can just reach underneath thats what i did.

I am trying to check the level in my tranny also. I do not have a manual to go by. I called the dealer and was told that there is a plug that I must pull out to check it. The problem is that I can not find the plug in the location I was told to look. I was told to look by the passenger transaxle. The only thing I can find there is a sensor. Is this what they are refering to? Could someone scan a picture of it and send it to me? I would really appreciate this. smmoore7@comcast.net

Any help is greatly appreciated.

its a small plug in the side of the trans case
it is just aft of the oil drain plug
i believe it was a 10mm plug

Did you find it? If you climb under the car and look right at the oil drain plug, then look behind it at the transmission pan, it is right straight up above the transmission pan across (the gap) from the oil drain plug about 2 inches up.

I thank you all a lot. I have not had a chance to look for this plug as my work schedule has not allowed it yet. I will check it as soon as possible. Thanks again.

ok ok The tail of the tranny has that bolts it 7/16 socket remove the - wire lift the car support it car (not Runing) have a pan or something to hold or catch the liquid (this should be done when the tranny has 20 minutes drive) remove the plug or bolt wait for 3 seconds or 5seconds if oil has not come out then you don't have enough if it come out wait ontil the oil stops flowing. if it needs oil put and wait until it flows once it stops put the plug back lower the car put back the - wire and start the car (don't idle the car) wait for 5 mintues then take the car for a drive and see or feel how the tranny response