I have a '90 D150 with a 5-speed manual trans. A few weeks it started making a whining noise in 1,2,3, and 5th.....not in fourth. I think the first step is to check the fluid level and make sure that it is not too low. As I am looking under the vehicle I cannot find the drain plug or the filler plug. The only numbers on the trans are 453S or A53S (I couldn't read which one is correct.) Either way, these do not match up with the info in the manual for which trans I should have. I tried using the VIN decoder, but that doesn't tell me which model I should have either. So, I want to know what model I have and how I can check and/or add fluid to the trans. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

I dont kno what type it is, but the whinning noise is either from low fluid OR the gears are goin out. The drain and fill plug on my 92 W150 with a NV4500 is on the passanger side. the drain plug is square and the fill plug uses a torques or allen head. My 3rd and 5th gear make the whine noise too. But i kno how to fix 5th. on the back of the transmission, the nut that holds 5th gear in place backs off and allows 5th to float back and forth when u grab it. I have to tack out my transfer case and transfer case adapter off to access the internals and the nut. I just need to get the special socket, take the nut off, clean it, apply high temp lock tight to it, and install to factory specs. Well that's how to fix the 5th gear whine if your an experienced mechanic lol. Hope that somewhat helps!

 

here are the different manual trans that I list...


NP2500
GETRAG G-360
NV3500/4500


each trans has its own maintenance/ adjustment instructions


go to harbor freight, home depot, lowes, ace, true value, or any other hard ware store and pick up a couple cheap wire burshes. they shouldbe standard size 6" handle with 6" + head of sturdy wire .. then go bak and clean the trans case off to find the numbers.

 

I found the filler plug and the drain plug. They needed a 30mm socket, so I had to make a special run to Sears. After I pulled the filler plug out, I couldn't feel any fluid inside the trans case. So, I put about 3/4 of a bottle in it and took it for a test drive. It felt much better, but I still think I need to add more fluid since I can't tell if it is full or not. Should I take the top of the trans off and pour in fluid until starts coming out of the filler plug?

Here are the pics I have of the trans, as you can see there aren't any identifying marks or stamps on it anywhere except for the red stamp which states model #453S or A53S. If you see anything please let me know. Thanks again.


DriverSide:





Passenger Side:

 

dam i wish i hadthe 5 speed manual. ive got the three speed and its ****ty for so many reasons. I dont have a tach, butbefore it shifts into second at about 40 kphthe thing is revving like crazy. I dont even think it has an overdirve gear. bad dodge for thinking this truck could work well with 3 gears

 

i see markings cast into it on the first passenger side pic. Clean that area and you'll probably find the info you seek.

 

thanks for the help, I will clean it off this weekend and see what I can find. And I agree about the 3-speed, this 5 speed seems like a great trans for this slow *** V6...haha. thanks again