NEW COOLER RETURN FITTING FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR CHECK

SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON NEW COOLER RETURN FITTING, FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR AND CHECKING PROCEDURE

VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1993 "E,K,V" MODELS WITH 4T80-E TRANSAXLE

APPLICATION:

----------- 1993 Cadillac Allante, Eldorado, and Seville with Hydra-Matic 4T80-E Transaxle Model 3AJN.

BULLETIN COVERS:

New style cooler fitting (return) and fluid level indicator which went into production at the beginning of the 1993 model year. (Figure 1)

Cooler Fitting:

The new style cooler fitting no longer has an elbow fitting and locknut. Whenever installing this new cooler fitting, the required torque is 24 - 30 N.m. All 1993 HYDRA-MATIC 4T80-E equipped E/K vehicle applications use the new style fitting. Some 1993 V cars (Allantes) may be equipped with 2AJN model HYDRA-MATIC 4T80-E units containing the elbow style return cooler fitting.

Fluid Level Indicator:

The new style fluid level indicator is 18 mm longer and contains a larger and distinctly marked "cold" range enabling the user to perform accurate cold fluid level checks. This new indicator may be used on 1992 model HYDRA-MATIC 4T80-E transaxles. Whenever using the new indicator, follow the cold and hot checking procedures contained in this bulletin or the one page fluid checking procedure flow chart. (Figure 2)

NOTE: Whenever checking the fluid level using the old style fluid level indicator, refer to the "hot check" procedure contained in this bulletin. Any cold level inspection will provide an inaccurate fluid level reading.

DATE OF PRODUCTION:

The new style cooler fitting (3)(return) and fluid level indicator (31) went into production July 6, 1992 (Julian Date 186), S.O.P. 1993.

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:

Whenever it is necessary to replace either of the new components, refer to the following part numbers:

Description Part Number ----------- ----------- Fluid Level Indicator 8684045 Cooler Fitting (return) 8683208

SERVICE MANUAL INFORMATION:

Refer to Section 7A-7B Unit Repair Section of your service manual whenever replacement of the above components is necessary.

4T80-E FLUID LEVEL CHECKING AND SETTING PROCEDURE:

Cold Transmission Fluid Checking Procedure:

0 The following fluid checking procedure is only valid when the vehicle is cold and has not been driven.

0 Transaxle temperature should be between 21 - 32 degrees C (70 and 90 degrees F).

0 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 5 minutes is all that is available to accurately complete this procedure.

Procedure:

--------- - With the brake applied and the shift lever in "P" (park), start the engine.

- Continuing to hold your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about 3 seconds in each range. Return the shift lever to the "P" (park) position.

- Apply the parking brake.

- Idle the engine at least 2 to 3 minutes.

- 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).

- Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth or paper towel.

- Gently return the indicator to its holder, being careful to push it in completely, and twist the cap closed. Wait 3 seconds and remove the dipstick again.

- Check both sides of the dipstick, reading the lower level. The fluid level must be in the cold range of the indicator.

Cold Adjustments:

- If the level is normal (where it should be), return the indicator to its holder once more and twist it closed.

- 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:

0 when the outside temperatures are above 32 degrees C (90 degrees F),

0 at high speed for an extended period of time, and/or

0 in heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.

The fluid must be at normal operating temperature 82 - 93 degrees C (1 80 to 200 degrees F) to obtain an accurate reading. Bring the vehicle to operating temperature by driving about 24 km (1 5 miles) when the outside temperatures are above 50 degrees F. If it is colder than 1 0 degrees C (50 degrees F), the vehicle may need to be driven longer to reach the desired temperature.

- Park the vehicle on a level place.

- Place the shift lever in "P" (park).

NOTE: Omit "with the parking brake applied." The Allante would disengage the parking brake during the next step and the customer may think it is still on.

- With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about 3 seconds in each range. Then position the shift lever in "P" (park).

- Apply the parking brake.

- Idle the engine for 3 to 5 minutes.

- 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 3 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.

At the "to add transaxle fluid:" point, it should be indicated that any adjustments to the fluid level should attempt to move the level to the middle of the cross-hatch.

When Transmission Fluid Has Been Changed:

- 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:

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 centre.

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.