Hydra-Matic 6T40/45 (MH8) Front Wheel Drive (FWD) Six-Speed Automatic Transaxle Exchange JProgram

This bulletin is being revised to add the 2009 model year and additional 2009 models. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 08-07-30-019 (Section 07 -- Transmission/Transaxle).

This bulletin will explain the Hydra-Matic® 6T40/45 (MH8) front wheel drive six-speed automatic transaxle exchange program for the models listed above. This exchange program is intended to be in effect for the first 50 units that need replacement as described in this bulletin. This bulletin will be revised to announce the end of the exchange program once the exchange quantities have been met.

The 2008-2009 model year 6T40/45 exchange program will be administered by the GM Product Quality Center (PQC). To request an exchange, dealerships are required to call the PQC, NOT Technical Assistance (TAC). The PQC may refer the dealer technician to TAC if additional diagnosis is required. Prior to calling the PQC, please make sure to complete the "OEM Transaxle Exchange" worksheet referenced at the end of this bulletin. Use of this worksheet will minimize the time spent on the telephone and avoid the need of a second call to the PQC. Guidelines for honoring exchange requests under this program are being strictly enforced.

Components that may be removed and serviced without exchange of the transaxle are identified in the list below. Any repairs involving transaxle components not identified below may require a transaxle exchange.

Please note that this list is subject to change as the program progresses. You will be notified by the PQC consultant if additional transaxle items are considered serviceable.

Current Serviceable Transaxle Related Components:

All other components of the transaxle require assembly replacement at this time.

Important: Transaxle repairs or failures that are caused by components external to the transaxle DO NOT fall under the exchange program. For example, transaxle oil cooler lines incorrectly installed causing a transaxle failure will have to go through GMSPO to obtain a transaxle assembly. Also, transaxles needed for insurance repairs have to be obtained from GMSPO. The exchange program is created as a way to identify and correct internal concerns. External components causing a failure do not provide any useful information in improving a transaxle. The transaxle received from GMSPO will be a new transaxle. As normal process, all warranty claims for transaxle replacement must be approved through the PQC.

Exchange Procedure

1. A thorough diagnosis must be performed in order to prevent unnecessary component replacements. Refer to "Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle" in SI to identify the correct procedure for diagnosing the system.
2. If DTCs are present and the procedure gives direction to remove internal components, stop and clear the code(s). Test drive the vehicle with a Tech 2® installed and capture a snapshot of the transaxle data when condition occurs. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 07-07-30-010 for correct snapshot data collection. Call the PQC once this data has been captured. The PQC will request that you e-mail the snapshot to them.
3. If DTCs are not present, refer to "Symptoms - Automatic Transaxle" in SI.
4. If any diagnostic procedure gives direction to remove internal components, stop and call the PQC. The oil must be drained from the transaxle before shipping, but internal components should not be removed.
5. Prior to calling the PQC, complete the "OEM Transaxle Exchange" worksheet referenced at the end of this bulletin.
6. Contact the PQC to verify that proper diagnosis has been performed. Upon review of the diagnosis, the PQC will establish a case reference number and make arrangements for shipping an exchange unit to your dealership if necessary. DO NOT SHIP A TRANSMISSION TO THE WARRANTY PARTS CENTER (WPC) WITHOUT AN OFFICIAL WPC REQUEST.

Important: Failure to return the replaced transaxle by the due date will result in the dealership being debited the entire warranty claim (parts and labor). The removed unit must be returned complete in the shipping container. For effective engineering analysis, please do not remove or disassemble any components. Dealerships returning transaxles that have been even partially disassembled will be judged as violating this procedure and, as such, will be billed for all materials furnished.

Notice: 

WPC Request

As soon as the replaced transaxle is ready to be returned, the dealership should contact Annette Quince at 248-371-9939 (French-speaking dealerships in Canada should call the PQC at 1-866-654-7654). Annette will make special shipping arrangements to expedite the return of the transaxle to the WPC. The dealership should NOT call Central Transport or Sameday Right-O-Way directly. Instead, call Annette who will handle the shipping arrangements for the dealership.

The WPC will fax a Special Part Request to your dealership requesting return of the transaxle. DO NOT wait for the warranty claim to be paid before returning the transaxle. The Special Request will provide a request number that must be labeled on the outside of the shipping container. Failure to label the container with the request number may delay the processing of your return. If you do not receive the WPC Special Part Request, contact Annette Quince at 1-248-371-9939 (French-speaking dealerships in Canada should call the PQC 1-866-654-7654) to obtain the proper paperwork to return the transaxle. Failure to return the transaxle may result in a debit. DO NOT ship a transaxle to the WPC without an official WPC request.

Shipping Preparation

1. Remove the drain plug and drain the transaxle fluid. Reinstall the drain plug.
2. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle as outlined in Transaxle Replacement in SI.
3. Tighten any fasteners that were loosened or removed during transaxle removal to the original torque specification.
4. Remove the torque converter holding strap and any plastic shipping plugs or covers from the new unit and install them on the transaxle to be returned.
5. If the transaxle leaks, mark the leak area directly on the transaxle with a permanent marker.
6. Write the PQC case reference number on the repair order.
7. Write the PQC case reference number on the transaxle in a visible location.
8. Place the transaxle core into the shipping container and attach the completed return shipping tag to the transaxle.

Shipping Instructions

1. Place a copy of the WPC request, repair order with technician comments and the completed return checklist/product feedback form into the plastic envelope. The bill of lading and customs papers (for cross border shipments) should also be inserted into the plastic envelope. Remove the original shipping label and attach the plastic envelope with the return shipping label on it to the container.
2. Label the outside of the shipping container with the WPC request number and the PQC case reference number. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 99-00-89-019E for detailed shipping information.
3. Contact Annette Quince at 1-248-371-9939 (French-speaking dealerships in Canada should call the PQC at 1-866-654-7654) to arrange for expedited shipping to the WPC.
4. Have the driver sign the bill of lading. Retain a copy of the signed bill of lading and attach your copy to the original repair order. This will be your proof of returning the transaxle.
5. Ship the transaxle with appropriate paperwork to: Third Party Freight Collect.

GM Warranty Parts Center

45 Northpointe Drive

Orion, MI 48359

OEM Transaxle Exchange Worksheet

Refer to Product Quality Center for Engine and Transaxle Assembly and Transfer Case Replacement, Corporate Bulletin Number 02-07-30-029K for the worksheet. A copy of this worksheet is included below for your reference.

Parts Information

For DEXRON®-VI part numbers, refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 04-07-30-037D.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

OEM Automatic Transaxle Replacement Template -- Product Quality Call Center

1. Is the automatic transaxle under warranty?

1.1.	Yes (if yes, list date of warranty expiration)

 

 

No (if no, list mileage)

 

 

1.2.	Date of automatic transaxle installation and warranty expiration.

 

 

1.3.	Is this a Policy Adjustment?

 

 

1.3.1.

Yes (if yes, please record the reason).

1.3.2.

No

2. Which type of service is the vehicle used for -- police, taxi, towing, personal, etc.)?

 

 

3. Describe the failure of the current automatic transaxle.

 

 

4. Automatic transaxle serial number.

 

 

For PQC Only: Enter the Automatic Transaxle Serial Number of the non-keyword qualifier line.

 

5. Estimated cost to Repair automatic transaxle assembly $_______________.

 

6. Estimated cost to Replace automatic transaxle assembly $_______________.

 

7. If analysis warrants repair, does the dealer have a qualified technician?

7.1.

Yes

7.2.

No

If No, Authorize Unit With DC06 .

8. PQC Comments.