Hello,
To start, im not sure if this is the right place, if not sorry,

Anyway,
I have a 1997 trans am that i was using just for highway trips (long ish), the car is basically stock as far as i know, i changed the transmission fluid last year and it was fine (nice bright red)
It is still shifting fine, but when i pulled the stick to check it today, it was very dark, but it didnt smell burned, so i dropped the pan and this is what i found....

This "fluid" doesnt have more than 7500 miles tops on it, (no it wasnt royal purple) and it is almost black,
Any idea?
Anything to do?
New transmission coming?

There isnt any "track" time on it, and it wasnt beat on.. just on the highway going 80mph for 1 hour each way lol, so i dont think it cooked
'
Any insight is appreciated

 

A few things can cause this......
New fluid in an older trans that had NOT been serviced properly.... 10-15k is suggested
Inexpensive cheap fluid
Lack of an external trans cooler
Normal wear and tear over time.

At this point I would run the cheapest fluid through that tranny to flush out the converter etc. Then drop the pan again instal another new filter then add the best fluid you can find and fill her up and hope for the best. It could be a day it could be a year or two but you will be having to do an professional overhaul..
Me personally, I would locate a rebuildable core and have it rebuilt ready to go.

If you do not have an external trans cooler now is a great time to purchase one rated for a large RV.