GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 2009 🢒 CTS 🢒 Transmission 🢒 Manual Transmission - Aisin AY6 🢒 Transmission Noisy

Diagnostic Aids

If the vehicle is equipped with the 2.8L and 3.6L engine, the transmission is in neutral with the engine operating, and a whirling kind of a noise, neutral gear rattle, is heard outside the vehicle, this is a normal condition.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step inspects for vibration causing a noise.

    2.

  2. This step inspects for the correct transmission fluid level. If the transmission fluid level is excessively low, damage may have occurred to the transmission components.

  3. This step inspects for the correct type of transmission fluid. The transmission uses a special fluid. If the incorrect fluid was used, there may have been an overheating problem. Overheating may cause damage to the transmission components.

    4.

  4. This step tests to determine if clutch components are making the noise. Depress the clutch pedal slowly and listen for the change in noise. If the noise changes while pressing the pedal, it may be a faulty clutch component. If the noise does not change until the clutch is completely disengaged, the transmission component is faulty. Improper sealing of the shifter may be allowing normal transmission noise to be heard by the driver.

Step

Action

Yes

No

DEFINITION: The transmission is making a noise. The different noises may be a whine or a growl from faulty bearings or gears. The noise may also be caused from a faulty component causing a vibration noise or rattle.

1

Did you review the Symptoms - Manual Transmission, and perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms - Manual Transmission

2

Is the noise present at a certain road speed, or with a certain load?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Is the noise present in all gears?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

Is the noise present in just one gear?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 5

5

Inspect the transmission fluid level.

Is the fluid level correct?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Add transmission fluid. Refer to Transmission Fluid Replacement.

Did you find and repair the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 7

7

Inspect the transmission for the correct fluid type. Refer to Lubrication Specifications.

Is the transmission fluid the correct type?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

8

Drain and refill the transmission with the correct type fluid. Refer to Transmission Fluid Replacement.

Did you find and repair the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 9

9
  1. Inspect for engine to transmission alignment.
  2. Inspect for loose transmission mounting bolts.

Are there any loose transmission mounting bolts?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10

Replace and tighten the transmission mounting bolts. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement.

Is the noise still present?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 14

11

With the engine operating, depress the clutch pedal.

Is the noise still present?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12
  1. Remove the clutch. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement.
  2. Inspect the following components for being the cause of the noise.
    3. • The release bearing
    • The dual mass flywheel
    • The pressure plate
    • The clutch disc
    • The engine crankshaft end play

Did you find and repair the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 13

13

Replace the transmission. Refer to Transmission Replacement.

Is the replacement complete?

Go to Step 14

--

14

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 1