# Transmission dip stick is stuck, like fused in place **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, equinox\ **Created:** [April 11, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-dip-stick-is-stuck-like-fused-in-place/176092 "2021-04-11T16:25:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Daniel.magic.ferguson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@Daniel.magic.ferguson](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daniel.magic.ferguson)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-dip-stick-is-stuck-like-fused-in-place/176092/1 "2021-04-11T16:25:57Z")
So, I have a fairly big problem. I was trying to check the transmission fluid level (which in and of itself is notoriously difficult on this vehicle) but in the end, the dipstick broke - that’s how hard I was pulling on it. The top of it moves though, so it’s not stuck at the surface… I think it is, literally, melted and stuck in the transmission… any thoughts, ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-dip-stick-is-stuck-like-fused-in-place/176092/2 "2021-04-11T16:28:50Z")
Independent transmission shop not a chain type shop, ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-dip-stick-is-stuck-like-fused-in-place/176092/3 "2021-04-11T16:30:53Z")
Remove the entire dipstick assembly. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/b/9/b9af172f0408603a5f247f97e5c1f4c7819dd000.jpeg) Replace if required. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Daniel.magic.ferguson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@Daniel.magic.ferguson](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daniel.magic.ferguson)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-dip-stick-is-stuck-like-fused-in-place/176092/4 "2021-04-11T18:24:05Z")
I tried. The bolt is out. It will rotate some but will not come up, ergo, leading me to feel the bottom of the stick is most likely melt to something internally. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 6:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-dip-stick-is-stuck-like-fused-in-place/176092/5 "2021-04-11T18:40:11Z")
The O-ring has probably bonded itself to the hole. I’d take some penetrating oil like Deep Creep, ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/b/e/be83fb3bf91dd0816a4336be85960ace4855214e.jpeg) spray around the dipstick assembly, rotate it, repeat. That’s how I remove stubborn crank sensors when they get stuck. Tester ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-dip-stick-is-stuck-like-fused-in-place/176092/6 "2021-04-11T19:57:36Z")
Im not one to work on transmissions but just a couple of last resorts… you can try heating up the block around where the dipstick enters with a torch. not the tube. you will need to replace the o ring and dipstick anyway. or maybe if you drop the pan you can push it up from inside. you should replace the fluid and filter. good luck ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-dip-stick-is-stuck-like-fused-in-place/176092/7 "2021-04-11T22:29:19Z")
The small handle will snap off. Even prying carefully with screwdriver is risky. The o ring is stuck. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-dip-stick-is-stuck-like-fused-in-place/176092/8 "2021-04-11T22:32:21Z")
Our 2017 rusted in place, still under warranty they removed the tube, cleaned and lubed it and attributed it to moisture buildup as short trips are the major use.