I've got a 96 stratus 4dr with the 2.4L. The tranny seems to be leaking from a vent/overfill at the top of it under the fuse box. It started when the water pump went out. We were able to limp to a safe place and noticed a big puddle of tranny fluid under the car. I assume this vent/overfill is for when the tranny gets hot? It seems to be the only leak I can see. When I put tranny fluid in, it just pours out of this vent. I'm just not sure that its a vent/overfill. The tranny shifts at decent times but was better before the water pump went out. The water pump is fixed now(it was my first internal pump, PITA). I just wanted to make sure that the little piece was a vent or overfill. The tranny fluid, I thought, was low but if the leak is coming from an overfill/vent, my next step is to change the fluid and put the correct amount in. Does anybody know if this little plug is a vent or overfill? I took it out and put in a plug but now its coming out the dipstick tube, I'll put it back tonight. Sorry for the long post but I cant afford to lose this car right now and need to stop this leak before the tranny goes

 

thats really weird and nearly impossible r u sure you dont have a hose thats leaking and spraying fluid that direction. make sure the trans cooler in the radiator hasnt failed and the trans is filled up with coolant or trans fluid isnt into the radiator

 

Yea, its like a plug. I have it out next to the computer here. Its like a pipe fitting with a loose fitting cap. I'll take some pics tonight while I do more research. Its kinda hard to see and get to. I didnt see any hoses but what hoses are there?

 

So the problem was too much fluid, drained about 2 quarts out and back to normal. Upsetting because I should have this known but I'm just happy its fixed and driveable

 

that is the vent the shift shaft is hollow. htf did you over fill the trans that bad? an overfilled trans can be a destructive as an underfilled. as for hoses from the rad right next to the driverside headlight to the trans are the cooler lines, i seen them spring a leak and spray fluid all over the place causing misdiagnosis.

 

I dont know, rookie mistake. I drained about two quarts out and I'll measure it when its warm

 

did u check fluid level w/engine running? another common rookie mistake

 

yea I checked it correctly and its still to high, I'll get it right. There had to be a reason I put all this fluid in.