Must be stupid - can't read tranny dipstick

Chythar said:

I always have a hard time checking the tranny fluid level. It should be easy, just like checking the oil - pull the dipstick, clean off the end, reinsert the dipstick, then pull it again. If there's fluid on the dipstick, you know where the level is. But every time I check, the dipstick shows the tranny is overfull - there's fluid way past the "hot" fill mark. I've checked the dipstick by dipping it partway into an open bottle of tranny fluid and there's a pretty clear difference between the part that was in the fluid and the part that wasn't.

I've checked with the car cold and not running, with the car running in park but not warm, and when it's all warmed up (after a drive). It's always the same. I know I'm low on fluid when the tranny starts acting up some. Add some fluid and the tranny is back to normal.

I had the same problem on my V6 AODE too. I just don't get it.

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