I have 93 EX Civic with automatic transmission. I wanted to change the tranny fluid so I purchased Honda tranny fluid and intented to do multi drains and refills to flush the system. I checked the fluid level in Neutral and Park car running. I wasn't sure which was the correct method. Checking both ways showed the same results overfilled. The fluid was well above the hash marks. I drained the tranny and refilled it with 2 1/3 qt of Honda fluid to start. From what I have read after doing this simple drain It should hold between 2-3 qts roughly. I started the car and checked the Tranny fluid, it showed it was overfilled. I drove the car and rechecked same results.
I drained some fluild and rechecked still overfilled. I drained alot found the following results. When I insert the dipstick and remove it quickly it will sometimes barely show on the dipstick sometimes it shows on the hash marks. If I leave the dipstick in for too long it will collect on the top of the dipstick and run down on the harsh marks giving you a false reading of full or overfull. But no matter what I do the other side of the dipstick without the harsh marks always show fluid way over the hash mark level. I check it with the engine off and it was barely on the hash marks. I added a small amount of fluid and let it go. I still don't know really if I have enough fluid in it.
I don't have a service manual. So can someone tell me for sure to check it in park or neutral of does it matter? And give me some suggestions. I've changed fluids in alot of other vehicles and never had a problem.