Symptoms
A harsh 1–2 shift when you accelerate hard from a stop, which suggests a clogged filter screen. Poor or no kickdown can be a broken kickdown cable, and one owner says replacing a broken cable transformed his shifting.
The fix, step by step
- Drain the pan, then detach the dipstick tube (one 12 mm bolt; do it from above because of its O-ring).
- Remove the pan.
- The bolts are only about 4.5 N·m.
- Unbolt the mesh screen (about 5.5 N·m) and catch the roughly half-litre of fluid trapped above it.
- Refit with the factory gasket if it comes off cleanly.
- The manual specifies Dexron II, which Dexron III replaces.
- Growlerbearnz tried Dexron VI after a rebuild and went back to Dexron III because of harsh shifts and slip.
- A pan drop takes about 4 L, and a full change about 7 L.
- Check the level hot, with the engine running, after cycling through the gears.
Tools & part numbers
- Drain pan
- 8, 10 and 12 mm sockets
- inch-pound torque wrench
- long funnel
- Dexron III ATF.
Where to buy the parts
Automatic transmission oil strainer and pan gasket by frame number (Delica Star Wagon catalogue)Megazip ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon (L300 4WD) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.