GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Important: If you do NOT validate the inputs before operating the transaxle, a simple electrical condition could be misdiagnosed as a major transaxle condition.

Perform this preliminary test before a road test to verify that the electronic control inputs are connected and operating.

A scan tool provides valuable information and must be used on the automatic transaxle for accurate diagnosis.

  1. Move the gear selector to Park and set the park brake.
  2. Connect the scan tool to the data link connector (DLC) terminal.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Turn the scan tool ON.
  5. Verify that the appropriate signals are present:
  6. • ENGINE SPEED
    • VEHICLE SPEED
    • THROTTLE POSITION
    • TRANSAXLE GEAR STATE
    • GEAR SHIFT LEVER POSITION
    • TRANSAXLE FLUID TEMPERATURE
    • CLOSED THROTTLE POSITION LEARN
    • OPEN THROTTLE POSITION LEARN
    • CLOSED ACCEL. PEDAL POSITION LEARN
    • OPEN ACCEL. PEDAL POSITION LEARN
    • A/C COMPRESSOR STATUS
    • MODE SWITCH
    • THROTTLE POSITION VOLTAGE
    • GEAR SHIFT LEVER POSITION VOLTAGE
    • TRANS. FLUID TEMPERATURE VOLTAGE
    • A/C SWITCH
    • MODE SWITCH VOLTAGE
    • BATTERY VOLTAGE
  7. Monitor the A/C COMPRESSOR STATUS signal while pushing the A/C switch. The A/C COMPRESSOR STATUS should come ON when the A/C switch is pressed, and turn OFF when the A/C switch is pressed a second time.
  8. Monitor the GEAR SHIFT LEVER POSITION signal and move the gear shift control lever through all the ranges.
  9. • Verify that GEAR SHIFT LEVER POSITION value matches the gear range selected.
    • Verify that gear selections are immediate and not harsh.
  10. Move the gear shift control lever to neutral and monitor the THROTTLE POSITION signal while increasing and decreasing the engine speed with the accelerator pedal. The THROTTLE POSITION signal should increase with the engine speed.