LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Ford >> 2003 >> Windstar Base >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Transmission >> Automatic Trans >> Automatic Transmission >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Preliminary Inspection >> Fluid Condition Check
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Fluid Condition Check

  1. Check the fluid level.
  2. Observe the color and the odor. The color under normal circumstances should be dark reddish, not brown or black or have a burnt odor.
  3. Hold the fluid level indicator over a white facial tissue and allow the fluid to drip onto the facial tissue and examine the stain.
  4. If evidence of solid material is found, the transmission fluid pan should be removed for further inspection.
  5. If the stain is a foamy pink color this may indicate coolant in the transaxle. The engine cooling system should also be inspected at this time.
  6. If fluid contamination or transaxle failure is confirmed by the sediment in the bottom of the fluid pan, the transaxle must be disassembled and completely cleaned. This includes the torque converter, cooler bypass valve, coolers and cooler lines.
  7. Carry out diagnostic checks and adjustments. Refer to DIAGNOSIS BY SYMPTOM .