To change or not to change - AW4 fluid

[KLXJ]

Just bought a 94 XJ with real low mileage about 70k on it, been sitting in a garage for a coupl e of years. Have been slowly doing a complete maintenance on it and was wondering if I should change the ATF fluid? Its still looking good, not too contaminated and no burnt smell. Managed to catch a few posts that said changing the ATF fluid would be a recipe for disaster for older XJs. What do you guys think? Heeeelp. Thanks

[Judd W. VA]

The 'recipe' you have been hearing is this- If the fluid has gotten really, really burned, then yes sometimes new fluid introduced with it's renewed slip properties can make slipping clutches get worse. The key words you used were no burned smell. Drop the fluid in the pan and use a new filter. You will be fine. Make sure to look to see what might be in that pan. Is a good indicator of what that trans has been through. If there is no magnet, get a suitable one to put in the pan.

[MJR]

I would just drain the fluid through the drain plug in the bottom of the pan and refill it with fresh Dextron. The screen (not filter) could be cleaned if the pan is removed but does not need to be replaced unless damaged.

[XJEEPER04]

how do you clean the screen....ive never heard of it?