The fluid suddenly changing color is a sign that a problem may be developing. The color change can be caused by overheating, contamination from outside or the final drive oil getting into the automatic section,  or the clutch-band linings are starting to fall apart. That said if a fluid change is then  followed by a future problem the new fluid was not the cause. Fluid analysis can tell you what happened to the fluid. 

Over the years I have installed a number of VW rebuilt transmissions in VW and  Audis. These rebuilds are supposedly tested and come complete with torque converters and coolers and are filled with the fluids. The ATF in many of these units was not red. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of C Snyder 
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 2:15 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Automatic Transmission Fluid Change

I checked the transmission today on my 1987 2-WD van today and noticed the fluid has turned from a red color to a slightly brown color so, I want to get it changed but, I have read many posts here over time that says that when others have changed the fluid, they end up having transmission problems.

Mine is doing great and am sorta afread of doing the fluid change. What the the pros and cons of serviceing my transmission? should I just change the fluid and not disturb the filter or go ahead and change the filter and fluid and hope for the best?????

Thanks in advance for any information on this.

Chris S.