u/DoingDaveThings

So I'm working on fixing up our 2004 Baja Sport. We received this car from my wife's parents a few years ago after its original engine blew. My father-in-law hired a mobile-mechanic friend of his who put in a rebuilt engine. We had issues getting the guy to complete the job and after 8 months, we gave up and I hired another mechanic to finish putting the car back together. The engine and transmission had already been put in place at least.

That's when I took it over. On my very first drive I wasn't able to get the transmission to shift out of first gear. Then the "AT Oil Temp" light came on and started flashing. Fortunately we live less than a quarter mile away so I parked the car at our house and it sat there until I could take time to look at it.

Yesterday I started. The dipstick showed no transmission fluid. There were no signs of obvious leaks around the bell housing but the transmission oil pan was completely covered in old fluid. I raised the car and drained what was left of the fluid, 5 quarts total. I then went to remove the old drain pan and discovered that the 10mm bolts were only finger tight, most came off with just my fingers. The mechanic had reused the old gasket as well, which was in pretty bad shape. I'm guessing that was the source of the fluid leaking out.

I thought that might be the end of it, but when I looked at the old oil pan it was crushed inwards, as if the first mechanic had supported the transmission on the pan when lowering it to take out the old engine. I looked at the solenoids and sure enough, one of them had a broken connector that was dangling loose. The "2-4 duty solenoid, red connector" in my service manual.

I have ordered a set of remanufactured solenoids for now just in case an others are damaged. I had already ordered a new pan and silicone gasket, and filter, so hopefully this will be the end of my troubles once the new solenoids arrive.