2002 LS V8 - Check transmission warning

[gopaperless]

I bought a used 2002 LS V8 almost 2 years ago and have referred to this site several times to solve issues with my car. (Thanks everyone).

I have searched and can't find an answer that fits my issue. About a month ago, I noticed fluid on the driveway where I park the car. It was an orange-ish brown color and felt like oil but didn't smell like oil. In looking under the car, the oil pan had this fluid almost all around it. This still made me think I had a leak in the oil pan. The last few days, the car has been shifting odd. Then yesterday the "Check Transmission" warning came up on the dash. (haven't driven it since). Is it possible that the transmission cooler lines are leaking and last time the previous owner serviced the transmission they didn't put the "red" transmission fluid in it? I'm thinking of taking it to the dealer but don't want to spend a lot on it since it has a 179k on it and its just an extra car.

Thanks for the assistance.

 

[joegr]

I would suspect that you have two unrelated problems. The "orange-ish brown" color fluid is probably coolant. It's very common to have to replace the plastic cooling system parts on these cars every six or so years.

 

[gopaperless]

I would suspect that you have two unrelated problems. The "orange-ish brown" color fluid is probably coolant. It's very common to have to replace the plastic cooling system parts on these cars every six or so years.

I thought this as well. The fluid leaking is thicker like oil and not like Coolant. The spot on the drive way is under where the oil pan/ oil filter are. Its clear over where the degas bottle would be leaking. Its probably worth taking it in and having it looked at. I was hoping it was something I could fix myself. Thanks for all the assistance.

 

[joegr]

It's possible (but then so are many other things) that there's a coolant leak at or near the top of the engine that is dripping down there. If you have some oil seepage from the engine, it might be getting mixed in.

Another possibility might be AC compressor oil leaking from the compressor, but usually that is a yellow/green color.
AFAIK, the only working transmission fluids for the LS are redish.

 

[gopaperless]

It's possible (but then so are many other things) that there's a coolant leak at or near the top of the engine that is dripping down there. If you have some oil seepage from the engine, it might be getting mixed in.

Another possibility might be AC compressor oil leaking from the compressor, but usually that is a yellow/green color.
AFAIK, the only working transmission fluids for the LS are redish.

Thanks for the information. Let me start there and see where that leads. BTW... I have been watching the fluid levels and nothing is going down except oil (just a little) and coolant hasn't moved. I should have mentioned that in the original post.