GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Important: Transmission fluid may turn dark with normal use and does not always indicate contamination or oxidation.

Inspect the fluid color.

Is the fluid color red?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 2

2

Inspect the fluid color.

Is the fluid color a non-transparent pink?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 3

3

Inspect the fluid color.

Is the fluid color light brown?

Go to Step 18

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4

Inspect the fluid.

Is the fluid foamy?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 5

5

Inspect the fluid level.

Is the fluid level high?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 6

6

Inspect the fluid level.

Is the fluid level low?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 7

7

Confirm that the fluid level is OK.

Is the fluid inspection complete?

Go to Step 20

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8

Remove excess fluid.

Did you remove the excess fluid?

Go to Step 20

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9

Add fluid in order to obtain the proper level.

Did you add fluid to the proper level?

Go to Step 10

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10

Inspect for external leaks. Refer to Fluid Leak Diagnosis .

Are there any external leaks?

Go to Step 11

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11

Repair the leak.

Did you repair the leak?

Go to Step 20

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12

Inspect for a high fluid level.

Is the fluid level high?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 13

13

Inspect for contaminants in the fluid.

Are there contaminants in the fluid?

Go to Step 14

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14

Drain the fluid in order to determine the source of contamination.

Did you drain the fluid?

Go to Step 15

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15

Perform a transmission overhaul. Refer to Unit Repair.

Did you perform the procedure?

Go to Step 16

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16

Add new fluid.

Did you add new fluid?

Go to Step 17

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17

Inspect the fluid level.

Did you Inspect the fluid level?

Go to Step 20

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18

Important: A very small amount of material in the bottom pan is a normal condition.

Drain the fluid in order to determine if there is contamination.

Are there large pieces of metal or other material in the bottom of the pan?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 19

19

Change the fluid and filter.

Did you change the fluid and filter?

Go to Step 20

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20

Perform the road test. Refer to Road Test .

Did you perform the test?

System OK

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Transmission Fluid Filling Procedure

Use the following procedure in order to refill the transaxle, as necessary:

  1. Place the vehicle on a level surface.
  2. Remove the fluid level indicator.
  3. Add approximately 3.3 liters (3.5 qts) of Dexron®-III automatic transmission fluid GM P/N 12346143, or the equivalent, into the fluid filler tube.
  4. Install the fluid level indicator into the fluid filler tube.
  5. Apply the parking brake and block the vehicle wheels.
  6. With the selector lever in the P position, start the engine. Do not race the engine.
  7. Important: The engine and the transmission must be at operating temperature for the transmission to register correctly at the HOT level range.

  8. Run the engine at idle and move the selector lever through each range and return it to the P position.
  9. With the engine running at idle, remove the fluid level indicator from the filler tube and wipe the indicator off.
  10. Reinsert the fluid level indicator into the filler tube making sure it is seated in its original position.
  11. Remove the indicator and inspect the fluid level.
  12. The level should be between the FULL HOT and the LOW HOT marks.

    If the level is below the LOW HOT mark, add fluid in order to bring the level to the FULL HOT mark. Bringing the fluid level from the LOW HOT mark to the FULL HOT mark requires 0.3 liters (0.3 qts) of fluid. Use Dexron®-III automatic transmission fluid GM P/N 12346143, or the equivalent.