What happens if the ATF is low?

[TheStinkyHippy]

While laying under the van (it happens a lot), I noticed one of the fluid hoses from gear box to the front radiator has a very tiny amount of oil on it. Not sure if it was a leak, or overflow. (Cleaned up now and keeping an eye on it)

This got me thinking....

What happens if the ATF level is low? e.g. if this hose went? Are they any warning lights on dash indicate low oil in gear box?

If low engine oil, then oil light comes on..
If low coolant, then coolant alarm goes off..

If low ATF... bang?

[g8dhe]

No or lack of drive and a HOT gearbox!

[mikeWalsall]

No warning lights for the ATF .. In fact at one time they where deemed 'sealed for life' that's why on some Bongos you will not find a drain plug on the auto box ..

Actualy on my (Lexus RX300) 3.0 4WD Toyota Alphard there is a sticker on the auto box dip stick saying that under normal road conditions there is no need for a fluid change .. Which, from all accounts proved ill advised with the the pursuing auto box problems with Lexus / Toyota ..



My Alphard was supposed to be fully serviced by the dealer ... which when checking over it had not been .. at the most just a simple engine oil change .. The air / cabin filter still had the Japanese bugs on them .. Spark plugs looked like the originals from 2003 .. auto fluid ... not even showing on the dip stick ( Have I ever mentioned I have a sincere dis trust of importers / dealers) ..??

So to know whats in there I have changed the engine oil to fully synthetic .. air / cabin filters / spark plugs .. and have 20 liters of T-1V to flush out the box ..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271817701332

[Gasy]

^^^^^^^
I know what you meen Mike
I've just bought a new caravan ( new to us )
From a dealer because I'm away in a week and didn't need the hassle of a used van problems
Any way he promised me it would be serviced

Well got it back last weekend
Wc pump seized
Gas fire igniter battery flat
There was something else aswell I carnt remember at mo
Good job he's only an hour and a half away
And I pass weedon for work quite regually

I will be calling in for an explanation and booking the van in for the service promised
Might make him collect and deliver it aswell
I do like being lied to I do

[haydn callow]

While laying under the van (it happens a lot), I noticed one of the fluid hoses from gear box to the front radiator has a very tiny amount of oil on it. Not sure if it was a leak, or overflow. (Cleaned up now and keeping an eye on it)

This got me thinking....

What happens if the ATF level is low? e.g. if this hose went? Are they any warning lights on dash indicate low oil in gear box?

If low engine oil, then oil light comes on..
If low coolant, then coolant alarm goes off..

If low ATF... bang?

You could fit a duel sensor temp alarm!!