Can anyone tell me what the fluid level should be when you check it COLD?
97 2500. Standard no mods.

 

Don't check it cold. Drive the truck for a little bit until the fluid warms up, then park in a level area. Put the truck in NEUTRAL. Leave the engine running. Then check the transmission fluid, it should be in the marks on the dipstick, just like the oil dipstick.

Does this help?

 

But what should it be when COLD?

 

Impossible to say. When you shut it down the converter starts to drain back into the pan. Depending on how much it drains back and how much time it has to do so you'll get varying over full readings...I would think.

JF

 

No way to check it cold. Level would change depending on how long it was parked and would vary inbetween every truck.
It would always be overfull though.

 

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Not yelling, just having fun with font sizes.

Is there a reason that you cannot check the fluid, is the truck not running or something?

 

Leave it idling in neutral for at least a minute before you check it as well.