Transmission dipstick question

[Joe Strahm]

Hello, I was checking my transmission oil level on my 2002 GMC Yukon 2wd 5.3, and with the engine idling the oil showed up in the minimum mark on the transmission dipstick. the fluid is red but when I turn my motor off and re check the fluid instantly shows up to the maximum mark. Im worried because the oil is supposed to show up to the max line when idling but Im only getting the oil at the minimum while the motor is running, and max oil when I turn the motor off. Should I be worried or is this normal?

 

[Sasquatch]

Try checking it after driving around for a while so it`s warm and idling. If it`s low add a little at a time until it`s full, It`s much easier to add more than drain some out if you overfill it.

 

[Kpwweb]

With the motor off it should be higher than Max. Typically it will be up around the lowest "bend" in the dipstick. You probably need to add fluid.

 

[sumo]

There are 2 ways to check. Cold level check where you just check after sitting for awhile like over night or a eng operating temp while running.

 

[Joe Strahm]

I apologize for over complicating this, but I'm in a loophole. My situation is after I go on a long drive and get the motor to operating temperature and check the transmission oil with the motor running it shows on the dipstick at the very bottom ( where the dipstick curves) but when I cycle through the gears park neutral, drive etc while idling in one spot and recheck the oil it shows up on the hot mark. So basically when I cycle through the gears idling at operating temp the oil shows up on the hot level but when I simply check the dipstick without going through the gears and just insert the dipstick after using a rag it shows up low, any tips? or maybe I'm just being a idiot I can upload a video or picture if wanted

 

[afpj]

The manual specifically States, for my 2002 Yukon 4x4, 5.3, with 4L60E transmission, to check transmission fluid most accurately do it hot. Hot transmission fluid means driving a car at least 15 minutes to get the engine and transmission warm up to operating temperature if is above 50 degrees ambient. Then once warmed up, cycle the gears from Park to first gear 3 seconds each back and forth to park. Then Idle 3 minutes. Then with the engine still running check the transmission fluid level. Checking the transmission level right after you stopped after a long run is not the correct method according to the manual.

 

[Joe Strahm]

Thanks!!! This is exactly the type of info I needed.