Auto trans fluid level

[twistedtree]

On an auto transmission, I know the fluid level should be checked with the car warm, running, and in park.  In that state, I see no fluid on the dip stick.  But cold and shut off, the fluid level shows full, perhaps a touch over full.

Is that much variation between running and not running normal?  It seems like a big difference to me, but I don't think I've ever really made a comparison.  I'm about to top up the fluid, but am a little worried about overfilling it, hence the question.

Thanks

[ja17]

Yes Peter ,  quite a bit different between  "running"  level and "engine off"  level.  Just add a little at a time and allow the fluid to run down the tube. Remember that the two marks on the stick are only one pint apart (not one quart).

[twistedtree]

Thanks for the confirmation.  I topped it up and the trans now shifts like it should.  The final test will be to confirm it shifts just as well when cold.  Hopefully this is one more big item off the check list.

[stickandrudderman]

Now you just have to find the leak that caused the low fluid level in the first place!

[twistedtree]

The good news is that this car is one of my barn-find cars and was only partly put back together when I got it.  I attribute the low fluid level to what ever previous work was done on it.  There has been no sign of leakage over the two years the car has been sitting with me, and now signs of leakage now that it's running and driving.  All signs are that it's tight.

[wwheeler]

If an automatic sits for a long time, wouldn't the fluid drive drain into the pan causing an overfill condition. In which case, seems like the fluid might come out the speedo drive. Is that normal?