It seems that every few months we hear of a new transmission coming to market. It’s hard to keep up with all the different transmissions and different ways of checking their fluid levels.
One day soon, you may find yourself faced with a 948TE 9-speed transmission in your shop. The 948TE appears in Acura TLX and MDX, Chrysler 200 and Pacifica, Fiat 500X, Honda Pilot, and Jeep Cherokee and Renegade vehicles.
Next thing you’ll realize is that you don’t have the tool necessary to check the fluid level. We’re here for the rescue.
The 948TE transmission requires Mopar tool P/N 10323A to check the fluid level (figure 1). You can check your local dealer and normal parts suppliers, but so far, few have it in stock.
The tool isn’t very expensive, so you may want to order it now. Or you can easily make one right away, for less than ten bucks.
SUPPLIES AND ASSEMBLY
Here’s what you’ll need (figure 2):
- A piece of aluminum 1/4″ round rod, at least 7″ long.
- A spacer with a 1/4″ inside hole, about a half inch wide.
- A small set screw to hold the spacer in place.
Once you have everything together, you’re ready to begin assembling your measurement tool.
- Cut the 1/4″ aluminum round rod to 175mm.
- Mark the rod every 10mm, starting from one end, from 10mm to 140mm (figure 3).
- Use a tubing cuter to scribe a permanent ring at every 10mm mark (figure 4). These rings will enable you to measure the fluid level.
- Drill and tap a hole for the set screw in the side of the spacer (figure 5). Unlike other Mopar dipstick tools, this one doesn’t rest on the bottom of the transmission pan; more about that in a minute.
- Install the spacer so the bottom of the spacer is 140mm from the tip of the dipstick (figure 6), and tighten the set screw to hold it in place.
That’s all there is to it; you’re ready to take your new dipstick out for a “dry” run.
FLUID CHECKING PROCEDURE
Manufacturers don’t make it easy to check the fluid in today’s transmissions, generally because they don’t want people adding the wrong fluids.
The 948TE calls for Mopar ZF 8 & 9 Speed ATF, P/N 68157995AB. The fluid is pale green. One thing to remember is that it isn’t a good idea to use any type of leak dye in this transmission.
To check the fluid level with your new dipstick, you’ll need a scan tool. Go into transmission data to find transmission temperature. (Fluid level varies directly with temperature)
Once you know the transmission temperature, refer to the chart (figure 7) for the proper level, measured in millimeters.
The fill check location is near the differential (figure 8). Remove the plug and insert the dipstick until the spacer on dipstick bottoms out on the case. 
This isn’t like the 722.6 transmission, where the dipstick rests on the bottom of the pan.
To reach the fill plug on models with the 2.4L engine, remove the left front wheel. Seems like a lot of effort just to check the transmission fluid, but obviously the manufacturer didn’t care.
On models with 3.2L and 3.6L engines, checking the transmission fluid isn’t as difficult. You can reach the fill plug from under the hood: Just remove the engine cover to gain access.
Check fluid level with the engine running and the transmission in park. (At least some things haven’t changed!) Let say the transmission temperature is 140ºF and the chart says, at that temperature, you should be in the 16mm–23mm range.
If the stick reads 20mm, you’re good to go. With all the new tools and procedures, checking the transmission fluid level isn’t easy.
But, if you run into a car with a 948TE, this little tool can make your life a lot easier.
Don’t wait until you have one in your shop; build your dipstick now, when you have a few free minutes. These transmissions are out there, and it won’t be long before they start showing up at your door.
