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Technical Bulletin
5R55 Transmission - Fluid Level

5R55 S/W/N checking Fluid Level

Issue:

On the 5R55 S/W/N units, there is no dipstick to check the fluid level. In addition to this, when you receive your freshly remanufactured transmission, it will have an unknown amount of fluid already, due to the dynamometer testing. Because of this, filling the unit with the manufacturer fill quantity will not leave the transmission filled to the correct level.

Procedure:

To check the fluid level, you must remove the check plug, which is located in the center of the bottom pan drain plug, and is removed with a T30 Torx or an Allen Wrench (could have either), while holding the drain plug with the proper size wrench so as not to loosen the drain plug. If no fluid drains out, then you will need to add fluid until you have a stream coming out of the check tube. To add fluid, some units will have a ‘Fill Only’ location on the passenger side rear of the transmission case. If you have this port, it is the recommended way to fill the transmission.

Start the vehicle, continue to add fluid if the stream stops. Once you have a steady stream of fluid, with the engine running, you will wait for the fluid to slow down and start dripping. As soon as this happens, you can close the plug.

The final level check is done with the transmission fluid at 80° to 120. Remove the check plug and repeat the fluid check procedure.
We provided you with a cut-away of the bottom oil pan and the drain plug so that you will understand how this works. The drain plug actually has a tube that extends up into the pan. By removing the "Check" plug from the "Drain" plug, the fluid should just trickle over the top of the tube and out through the center of the drain plug