Is it bad for the fluid on transmission dip stick to be dark?

When your Transmission Fluid is dark it is usually a sign that your transmission is on it's way out. Normally your transmission fluid is bright red. When it is dark it means it is burnt. That would be from running hot. Clutches slipping. etc. I would suggest running it until she stops because I changed fluids that were burnt and all the sludge in it from the clutch packs is what kept it working. Change the fluid and it may be the last time it moves under it's own power. It may also depend on how many miles you have on it. If it has a gazillion miles on it I would definitely leave it alone. If you change it there is always a risk that you should have left it alone.

Souperbee