Stuck side of road…transmission won’t engage (2 Viewers)

[blan09]

Yikes-
So I’m driving down the interstate and the transmission starts slipping out of gear. I pulled off and tried to put it in park and then back into gear. It will move the truck ever so slightly. I jumped out and looked underneath and it looks like ATF fluid leaking from the front left corner of the engine bay. Any thoughts on known issue? Maybe a problematic trans line?

 

[lumbee1]

Yikes-
So I’m driving down the interstate and the transmission starts slipping out of gear. I pulled off and tried to put it in park and then back into gear. It will move the truck ever so slightly. I jumped out and looked underneath and it looks like ATF fluid leaking from the front left corner of the engine bay. Any thoughts on known issue? Maybe a problematic trans line?

Lines to the cooler?

 

[JohnVee]

Isn't the paperclip cooler under the radiator a trans coolant line? Maybe check that area for the leak.

 

[george_tlc]

If not replaced previously, problematic 25+ year old hoses

There's a transmission cooler built into the bottom of the radiator and and additional one in front of the radiator and a bunch of hoses. At least on a '97.

There's also a dipstick on the transmission so you can check if it is indeed low if you've lost ATF from the transmission.

cheers,
george.

 

[voodu3]

Have you tried shifting it manually? Start in L or second?

 

[george_tlc]

Isn't the paperclip cooler under the radiator a trans coolant line? Maybe check that area for the leak.

Paperclip is for power steering.

cheers,
george.

 

[BILT4ME]

Yikes-
So I’m driving down the interstate and the transmission starts slipping out of gear. I pulled off and tried to put it in park and then back into gear. It will move the truck ever so slightly. I jumped out and looked underneath and it looks like ATF fluid leaking from the front left corner of the engine bay. Any thoughts on known issue? Maybe a problematic trans line?

There are short hoses to the cooler in front of the radiator that could have ruptured.
There are hoses near the bottom of the radiator that could have ruptured.
There are hoses along the left side of the engine that could have ruptured.

Check the dipstick and refill with the proper ATF. (Don't overfill)

Keep stopping and refilling if you cannot actually repair it properly where you are.

If you cannot add fluid, DON'T drive it.

 

[blan09]

My wife is bringing me tools….the leak is somewhere under the battery near the radiator. I really appreciate everyone’s feedback. I’m hoping it’s a fitting I can tighten and limp home after adding some fluid. I checked the fluid level, very low.

 

[ZackR]

Ask her to stop by a auto parts store and pick up some 3/8 transmission cooler hose, hose clamps and a few gallons of ATF (and narrow funnel to fill via dipstick).

You can bypass the cooler for now and finish the repair when you get home.

 

[BILT4ME]

ATF Dexron II is the correct fluid. (Or current equivalent)

Drain and refill = 2.0 Qt.
Dry Fill = 11.6 Qts

 

[cartercd]

Below are the 3/8" lines you are dealing with. If it is underneath the battery it is probably lines #4 or #5. You could bypass the hard metal elbows underneath the battery box and go straight from the transmission cooler to connect to the radiator or tranny.

 

[blan09]

Great info all. Much appreciated.

 

[ppc]

ATF Dexron II is the correct fluid. (Or current equivalent)

Drain and refill = 2.0 Qt.
Dry Fill = 11.6 Qts

That all depends on which model year/transmission. I think the A343F is more like 4 quarts and the A442F is 6 quarts for drain/refill. If the transmission is pumping fluid into one of the cooler lines that is ruptured then those quantities would be even larger.

 

[blan09]

 

[blan09]

Thanks again everyone. It was the #5 hose. The schematic was very helpful cartercd!

 

[cartercd]

Glad you figured it out. That was the easiest of all the hoses. See this link for how to replace all the hoses. Transmission hose replacement using non-OEM parts - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/transmission-hose-replacement-using-non-oem-parts.1241866/

 

[blan09]

Great link cartercd. I realized today that all the lines are discontinued. Future plan is to get them all replaced. Thanks again everyone for the input. Very helpful.

 

[ZackR]

Great link cartercd. I realized today that all the lines are discontinued. Future plan is to get them all replaced. Thanks again everyone for the input. Very helpful.

No worries - you can use 3/8" transmission cooler hose from NAPA. You'll need new clamps since the OEM ones won't fit properly.

 

[Grandlooser]

Been there. But mine ruptured literally right as I pulled into my shop.

 

[blan09]

Been there. But mine ruptured literally right as I pulled into my shop.