NEW COOLER RETURN FITTING FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR CHECK
SUBJECT: FLUID LEVEL CHECKING PROCEDURE AND NEW LEVEL INDICATOR FOR 1993 ELDORADOS, SEVILLES, AND ALLANTES WITH HYDRA-MATIC 4T80-E TRANSAXLE
This bulletin provides important information about and changes to the 4T80-E transaxle fluid level checking procedure.
Before checking the transaxle fluid level:
IMPORTANT: 1993 Allantes with model 2AJN transaxles (these do not have option V4J) should have the fluid level indicator replaced with P/N 8684045. This new style fluid level indicator is 18mm longer and contains a larger and distinctly marked "cold" range enabling the user to perform accurate cold fluid level checks. Whenever using the new indicator, follow the cold and hot checking procedures or the one-page fluid checking procedure contained in this bulletin.
NOTE: Whenever checking the fluid level using the old style fluid level indicator, refer only to the "Hot Check" procedure contained in this bulletin. Any cold level inspection will provide an inaccurate fluid level reading.
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
4T80-E Fluid Level Checking and Setting Procedure:
Cold Transmission Fluid Checking Procedure
o The following fluid checking procedure is only valid when the vehicle is cold and has not been driven.
o Transaxle temperature should be between 70 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees and 32 degrees Celsius).
o The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
If any of the preceding conditions are not met, the check is invalid. A window of approximately five minutes is all that is available to accurately complete this procedure.
Procedure:
--------- o With the brake applied and the shift lever in "P" (park), start the engine.
o Continuing to hold your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range pausing for about three seconds in each range. Return the shift lever to the "P" (park) position.
o Apply the parking brake.
o Idle the engine at least 2 to 3 minutes.
o For the remainder of this procedure (1) the shift lever should remain in "P" (park), (2) the parking brake should be applied, and (3) your foot should NOT be on the brake pedal (the brake will affect the oil level).
o Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth or paper towel.
o Gently return the indicator to its holder being careful to push it in completely, and twist the cap closed. Wait three seconds and remove the dipstick again.
o Check both sides of the dipstick reading the lower level. The fluid level must be in the cold range of the indicator.
Cold Adjustments:
o If the level is normal (where it should be), return the indicator to its holder once more and twist it closed.
o If the level is abnormal (NOT where it should be), adjust the level to the middle of the cold range. The transmission will now need to be warmed to operating temperature and the fluid rechecked for proper level. Refer to the "hot" fluid level checking procedure below.
Hot Transmission Fluid Checking Procedure
The following procedure is the same as it appears in the 1993 Owner's Manual except for the following points marked by an asterisk (*).
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle fluid level if the vehicle has been driven:
o when the outside temperatures are above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius),
o at high speed for an extended period of time, and/or
o in heavy traffic - - especially in hot weather.
The fluid must be at normal operating temperature (180 degrees to 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 82 degrees to 93 degrees Celsius) to obtain an accurate reading.
Bring the vehicle to operating temperature by driving about 15 miles (24 km) when the outside temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), the vehicle may need to be driven longer to reach the desired temperature.
o Park the vehicle on a level place.
o Place the shift lever in "P" (park).
o With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about three seconds in each range. Then position the shift lever in "P" (park).
o Apply the parking brake.*
o Idle the engine for 3 to 5 minutes.
o For the remainder of this procedure (1) the shift lever should remain in "P" (park), (2) the parking brake should be applied, and (3) your foot should NOT be on the brake pedal the brake pedal will affect the oil level).*
Then follow these steps:
1. Remove the indicator and wipe it with a clean cloth or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way and twist it closed. Wait three seconds and pull it back out again.*
3. Check both sides of the dipstick reading the lower level. The fluid level must be in the hot cross-hatch area.
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the dipstick back in all the way.
5. If the fluid level is NOT where it should be, adjust the level to the middle of the hot range.*
WHEN TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN CHANGED*: ----------------------------------------- o After changing the transmission fluid, fill the transaxle to the middle of the cold range. The unit should now be warmed to the normal operating temperature and the fluid rechecked for proper level. Refer to the hot checking procedure.*
TO RESET TRANSAXLE FLUID CHANGE INDICATOR:
o Press and hold the "off " and "rear defog" buttons (between 5 and 20 seconds) on the climate control simultaneously until the "TRANS FLUID RESET" message appears in the information center.
Customer Satisfaction Cadillac Motor Car Division General Motors Corporation
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
