Hi folks
Pardon me if I sound like a noob! It may be because I've never owned a Magna before :-)
Firstly, I've just checked the auto fluid level and think it may be a bit low. If I top it up, roughly, how much should i be looking at buying/ using? I've tried to search the answer and though I can see bunches of info about flushing/replacing and repairing, I can't find that.
(Oops -my new toy is a 2002 Magna Sports 5spd Tiptronic with 130k on the clock)
Number 2, I just finished running the power cable for my amp (and, hey, whoever supplied that tip about using the existing grommet under the firewall matting, near the centre - that was awesome!) and, while I was searching the ATF question I saw something about disconnecting the negative on the battery to reset the gearbox ECU: does this mean I can't disconnect that when I attach the amp power lead to the battery? Or, are there other things I need to be aware of if/when I disconnect the battery?
It may sound dumb but I've never owned an auto before and disconnecting the negative to reset it would never have occured to me!
I hope someone care spare the time to help me out here.
Thanks

Disconnecting the battery will just reset the ECU.. Definitely recommended from time to time, so it re-learns your driving pattern.

Disconnect it for 5mins or so.. and then reconnect and go for a drive - Changes will be a little different as it learns your style, but that of course, takes time!

ATF Fluid.. What colour is your current fluid..?

SuFz :ninja:

Make sure you measure the fluid level using the correct procedure - below is the extract from the workshop manual.

1...Drive until the fluid temperature reaches the operating temperature 70–80_C.
2. Place vehicle on level floor.
3. Move selector lever sequentially to every position to fill torque converter and hydraulic circuit with fluid, then place lever in “N” Neutral position. This operation is necessary
to be sure that fluid level check is accurate.
4. Before removing the oil level gauge, wipe all dirt from area around the oil level gauge. Then take out the oil level gauge and check the condition of the fluid.
Further investigation of the transmission is necessary if, the fluid smells burnt, the fluid colour is brown or black, metal particles can be seen or felt on the dipstick.
5. Check to see if fluid level is in “HOT” range on oil level gauge. If fluid level is low, add ATF until level reaches “HOT” range.

When you reset your ECU, be aware that the engine idle speed may be low almost to the point of stalling for a few days till it sorts itself out.

When you reset your ECU, be aware that the engine idle speed may be low almost to the point of stalling for a few days till it sorts itself out.

Best way to address this is just to start the engine after the reset and let it idle with the A/C off for at least 10 minutes if the engine is already warm, or at least 15 minutes if the engine is cold. This gives the ECU sufficient time to recalibrate the idle fuel trim and the idle speed.

Best way to address this is just to start the engine after the reset and let it idle with the A/C off for at least 10 minutes if the engine is already warm, or at least 15 minutes if the engine is cold. This gives the ECU sufficient time to recalibrate the idle fuel trim and the idle speed.

Good tip - I'll try that next time as I always get jittery after a reset and the engine almost stalls usually at a critical time.

Dead correct.
After a battery discconnect. Let the engine idle as described above.
Then cycle the gearlever between PRND a couple of times.
Then drive gently from rest up to 60Kph, ensuring that the gearbox changes into top gear. Slow down and stop. Repeat a couple of times.
Gerry

Thanks for the tips, guys. (I'm sorry it's taken so long to get back - my internet has been unavailable...) Any, ..Gone.. the fluid is pink and apparently I don't need a top-up, I think. The ATF only leaves a very thin film on the dipstick, so I misjudged it, first time . Actually, I was a bit concerned about how thin it was and I was worried that I was only seeing splash, except on the very end. Eventually, I checked the level without starting it, thinking that engine off would show maximum level, even if that level had no bearing on the real situation. But, yeah, even like that, it was still only a very thin smear left on the dipstick.
And, hey, thanks for the tips about resetting after I disconnect the battery - its really good to know that before i do anything :-)