I just purchased a 2001 Cavalier and cannot for the life of me find the dipstick to check the fluid level. It is an automatic and has the 2.2 Litre engine. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

-Mike

I can only find the red cap that says trans fluid on it. It has nothing to measure the level though. I guess that is where you add new fluid. If this is where to check it how do you measure the level? Should I see some in there when it is running or something? Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

-Mike

there is no dipstick. it's a sealed transmission which means the only time level needs to be check is if it is clearly leakiing. so jsut change it every 120k and you shoudl be fine. (btw this is the laymans version of what your owner manual/service manual says)

if you really NEED to check it there is a weep hoel you can access form the bottom but it requires a special tool to check it.



My car may run 18s, but I can do your taxes in 10 seconds flat.
JBO lube - they would never have enough in stock and we'd never see RodimusPrime again

Wow, that is crazy. I can't believe they designed this without one. I do believe what you say. I thought that the problem I was having with it bucking sometimes is because it may have been low on fluid. But...as it turns out it has a tourque solonoid that is stuck in the "on" position. Any idea how to change this? Thanks for all the help. I am a complete newbie when it comes to the Cavalier.

-Mike

I was told this is a 5-6 hour job too? I saw some pics on here and it looks pretty basic to do. I need some opinions. Thanks in advance.

-Mike

I believe there's a plug on the bottom that you can stick your finger in (when it's COOL) to check the liquid level, but I could be wrong.

Yep, if it's like my 04 Sunfire...
1. Run car for like 5-10 minutes to get it warm
2. Lift it up, but have it level, so you basically need a lift, not just jacks (unless you jackstand all 4 corners, but idk how safe that is)
3. Leave the car running
4. Look under the engine/tranny and there will be a bolt that is around the area of the oil plug. It's been a while since I've done it so I can't really offer any more info on the location. I'd say if you pull the bolt and you get sprayed with oil then that's the wrong one.
If I remember right, it's on the passenger side and points towards the side.
5. When you find the bolt, remove it.
6. Remove the red cap on the tranny (the one on top)
7. Pour tranny fluid in until some comes out of the hole on the bottom. When it does, you know it's full.
8. Put red cap back on and the bolt back in.

Maybe i'll make a video of this someday cause lots of people ask it.

Now remember, this is how you do it on my 04 Ecotec auto. IDK if it's the same for your car or not but I would imagine it is.

-Seth

Thanks for the help on how to check the fluid. Do you have any ideas about the torque converter solenoid? I tried a search but could only come up with one topic. Thanks in advance.

-Mike

I have a 4sp. auto by the way.

-Mike

same way on my 98 cav auto,loosen the bolt,if it starts to drain,let it drain until it stops then put the bolt back in.I watched my mechanic do it.I overfilled by like 3 quarts



15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"

I searched some more for ya and found a link to THIS.
It's for a 3 spd off a fiero but it's the same as the cavy 3 spd but i would imagine it's close to the same for the 4 spd. That should give you and idea of what it will prolly take but I wouldn't do it till you found out for sure how on a 4 spd. Maybe a chiltons/haynes would say how. I'm not sure though

-Seth

looked at Chiltons and nowhere does it mention anything about a solenoid for the 4t40E trans.



15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"

where exactly is this bolt at? i need pics....

I'll get some soon if no one else does



15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"

Its in the Chilton's manual guys. Page 1-28, picture 29-17. I can take a picture of the picture if you want lol. Its on the side of the trans (right near the oil drain plug, between the trans and the flex pipe (of the exhaust) right above the pan.



"The Blue Bullet"