I thought I'd post this in the general since it may apply to other vehicles. I have a 2003 pathy and was pulling about a 3000lb boat. It was 100 degrees out and half way through my trip my transmission felt like it did not know what gear to go into and then like it started slipping. I pulled over and could smell something burning... I assumed this could be the transmission fluid. The motor didn't get hot at all!

I pulled the dipstick and the fluid was not red but maybe a little brownish tint. Did I make the correct assumption that my tranny over-heated (I have a transmission light, but it never came on)? Do you think this caused any damage? Would the best action be to get it flushed and add the largest cooler I can find?

Has anyone every had this problem? Thanks for the help.

Yes to all. Yes, you burnt your tranny fluid. Yes, you should get a full flush ASAP. Yes, you should get a cooler added.

I would probably install a cooler myslef, is there in easy way to determine the transmission return line in the 2003 pathy?

your tranny is still fine as long as you swap out the fluid fast. I don't know which is the feed and return line.

Just pull one out and see what happens.... The repair manual probably labels the lines.

Go synthetic if you're going to keep towing. It takes the extra heat and lasts longer.

Do you have the 3.5L engine?

I knew I shoulda labeled the lines when I installed mine. I don't have a functioning camera right now.

I'll look tomorrow morning, and if I don't reply here by tomorrow night send me a PM.

Ok, thanks for the help

There are two lines just in front of the engine: one is angled to the left, the other to the right. Install the cooler in line with the line on the right.

That is, don't bypass the stock cooler that's inside the radiator.

There's plenty of room for the new cooler just behind the grille. The lines will fit next to the right side of the fan shroud.

The Hayes coolers come with a few feet of hose but it might not be enough. I think it's 3/8". The clamps might suck so buy a few spares. I actually broke one in half.

The owner's manual has a section about checking the fluid level. Follow it, and you should be good to go. The new fluid has to go into the dipstick tube, so the reading on the stick will be off. Check the level 3 or 4 times before you add more fluid.

It's a guessing game sometimes.

isn't it better to totally avoid the stock tranny cooler in the radiator if your going to add a external cooler?

It's a whole lot simpler just to run a external tranny cooler.

I'm bypassing the radiator and just using the tranny cooler. Was wondering if I should be running 2 here in Az.

quote:

Originally posted by LordBiotree:
isn't it better to totally avoid the stock tranny cooler in the radiator if your going to add a external cooler?

It's a whole lot simpler just to run a external tranny cooler.

I've heard the "stock tranny cooler" called a heat exchanger b4 and for some reason I wanna say that it runs thru the radiator to help a cold tranny warm up faster and then stay closer to the coolant temps once its finally warm. If this is not the case then correct me.

I've never tried to bypass the stock one. I want to fluid to warm up in the winter, as MY1PATH said.

A cold auto sucks, especially the one in my 92. It will not shift when it's cold. It's really old though.

Also, having both in line is good because there's a lot more fluid.

I understand the "Heat Exchanger" theory, helps warm up the tranny fluid. In colder States, I would have kept my stock inline with the external, but in Phoenix, I was overheating for no reason going up hills and just sitting at lights. After I placed the external and bypassed the radiator, I haven't got above normal this summer.

I think the hills and the summer heat here cause my tranny to heat up and the stock radiator just couldn't handle the extra heat. Plus, I use my truck as a truck to haul stuff. Just wondering if a second cooler would be helpful or necessary since I am not using my radiator.

I don't see a need for two in line external coolers. However Installing a small elect fan on the current external cooler will help a ton. Again this depends where the tranny cooler is located.

quote:

Originally posted by LordBiotree:
However Installing a small elect fan on the current external cooler will help a ton.

Good idea, I installed mine on the front passengar side of the radiator. Might be good to have a small pusher fan blowing through it.