Okay, I feel totally stupid, but here goes.

I have taken a picture of my transmission dipstick because I'm having a hell of a time. I kept throwing DTC 1870's because my transmission fluid level was too low. Well the PSI was too high and it blew the line off my tranny cooler, so I had to re-fill the thing. Problem is I have no clue as to how much fluid was still in there after the line popped off.

I've been trying to get my level correct, but I'm having problems reading the dipstick.

The problem is that I can always see a small amount of residue towards the top of the stick (at least 3 inches up) but it isn't thick, and is almost colorless. The thick portion of the fluid with visible color is always below where it says "warm."

In the image below am I radically overfilled, or am I still underfilled? The car was in park, in my garage(level ground), engine idling, transmission @ 100*



I'm guessing in this pic the fluid level is too high?

Could that also cause an 1870? The Level 3 Transmission has less than 500 miles on it.

 

It's imparative that the car is idling and that you check it at least 3 times in a row to get a good average reading. Look at both sides of the dipstick and you read from the first break in fluid is on the stick. Notice how there isn't a solid bead of fluid, that's due to scraping up additional fluid while you're sliding the dipstick against the dipstick tube.

Check it 3 times or more and take the lowest level on whichever side of the stick is lower.

I hope this helps.

BTW, your fluid level is currently low.

 

Thank you very much. It's funny how you can know all sorts of technical things, but reading a dipstick can get ya.