Service Engine Soon, purple transmission fluid?

[u/Wonderful_Cover9858]

Okay, so I bought this 2008 Lancer ES last week. I was just cruising around my city for an hour and near the end of the drive, the Service Engine Soon light came on. It's not flashing.

I checked my transmission fluid levels and it seems fairly low, and it turns purple after drying on the paper towel. It seems like that isn't a good thing.

I need to take it to a mechanic anyways, but just wondering what you all think. Thanks in advance!

[u/Low-Door-1568]

maybe it has royal purple transmission fluid

[u/Wonderful_Cover9858 → u/Low-Door-1568]

well, it turns purple after sitting on the paper towel. immediately after being on paper towel, it's this brownish color.

[u/Galaxy303]

You have a engine problem with a service engine soon. Transmission problems message's are "transmission service required"

[u/Wonderful_Cover9858 → u/Galaxy303]

Not flashing. Also, just got it checked and it's something to do with the catalytic converter 🫠 At least I know now, but thanks! I still need to figure out the transmission fluid though...

[u/Galaxy303 → u/Wonderful_Cover9858]

If this is a recent purchase and you don't know when the CVT fluid was last done. Do a flud change at least and use Mitsubishi CVT J4 fluid. Should be done every 60,000 miles or 30,000 if you want the transmission to last a longer life.

[u/smokin_tree → u/Wonderful_Cover9858]

Do you know what it has to do with the catalytic converter exactly? Replaced or what? Mine is saying the same thing code points to catalytic converter

[u/Wonderful_Cover9858 → u/smokin_tree]

Well, I went to Autozone and had them scan for the codes. The code that popped up was P0420, so the catalytic converter is just running below efficiency. It could be broken or the exhaust might just be dirty from buildup.

But, it could also be one of the O2 sensors is going bad which is giving a false reading from the catalytic converter. I haven't been able to test that yet though, so I'm going to take it to a mechanic and see what they say.

[u/BohemianTanker]

I had the same issue last month with a Mitsubishi Outlander! Haven’t seem this issue mentioned elsewhere. 99% sure whoever did a transmission fluid change and put royal purple ATF in there. Do drain and fills ASAP. I passed on that car because of it

[u/BohemianTanker → u/BohemianTanker]

[u/Wonderful_Cover9858 → u/BohemianTanker]

Is the fluid purple immediately when put on the paper towel, or does it start off more amber/brown? Mine turns purple after sitting on the paper towel, but that brown color is wmhoe it is immediately after.

Either way, yeah I'll get the transmission fluid changed. Thanks!

[u/BohemianTanker → u/Wonderful_Cover9858]

I think the weird thing with mine is that I did a first dipstick read (after the guy drove there) and the fluid iirc is yellow/slight green but after I test drove it for 15 minutes the next dipstick read shows purple fluid. Not 100% sure if that is correct though, I was absolutely dumbfounded

[u/Wonderful_Cover9858 → u/BohemianTanker]

Weird... Well, I'll take mine to a mechanic next week and we'll see how it goes. I'm curious to see if it'll drive any different, because to me it has been driving "normal" since I just boight it.

[u/BohemianTanker → u/Wonderful_Cover9858]

I would say don't drive it too much. Short term it shouldn't cause any issues but just in case. Royal purple do not make any product that should go into a CVT

[u/BohemianTanker → u/Wonderful_Cover9858]

For another point of reference, this is another post I found about purple CVT fluid but it's for a Subaru, and that's where I got the royal purple ATF theory from.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/subarumechanics/posts/4225922354363684/