GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 35534 Piston Cover Depressor

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the 6 left splash shield bolts and the left splash shield.
  3. Place a drain pan or suitable container under the transaxle cooler.
  4. Remove 1 clamp and the fluid cooler inlet hose from the transaxle fluid cooler.
  5. Remove 1 clamp and the fluid cooler outlet hose from the transaxle fluid cooler.
  6. Remove 1 clamp and the fluid cooler inlet hose from the fluid cooler inlet pipe.
  7. Remove 1 clamp and the fluid cooler outlet hose from the fluid cooler outlet pipe.
  8. Loosen the inlet and outlet fluid cooler pipe flare nuts.
  9. Remove 1 bolt, the fluid cooler pipe bracket and the fluid cooler inlet pipe from the transaxle.
  10. Remove 1 bolt, the fluid cooler pipe bracket and the fluid cooler outlet pipe from the transaxle.

Inspection Procedure

    • Inspect the transaxle fluid cooler hoses for leaks or fatigue. Replace if necessary.
    • Inspect the fluid cooler pipes for kinks, leaks or other damage. Replace if necessary.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the fluid cooler outlet pipe and bracket to the transaxle. Secure with 1 bolt.
  2. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  3. Install the fluid cooler inlet pipe and the bracket to the transaxle. Secure with 1 bolt.
  4. Tighten

        • Tighten the inlet and outlet fluid cooler pipe flare nuts to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).
        • Tighten the fluid cooler outlet pipe bracket bolt to 5 N·m (44 lb in).
        • Tighten the fluid cooler inlet pipe bracket bolt to 5 N·m (44 lb in).
  5. Install the fluid cooler outlet hose to the fluid cooler outlet pipe, secure with 1 clamp.
  6. Install the fluid cooler inlet hose to the fluid cooler inlet pipe, secure with 1 clamp.
  7. Install the fluid cooler outlet and inlet hose to the transaxle fluid cooler, secure each with 1 clamp.
  8. Remove the drain pan or suitable container from under the transaxle fluid cooler.
  9. Install the left splash shield and 6 bolts.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the left splash shield bolts to 5 N·m (44 lb in).

  11. Lower the vehicle.

Fluid Inspection Procedure

  1. Place the vehicle on a level surface.
  2. Apply the parking brake and block the vehicle wheels.
  3. With the manual selector in the Park (P) position, start the engine. DO NOT race the engine.
  4. Run the engine at idle and move the manual selector through each range and return back to Park (P) position.
  5. With the engine running at idle, remove the fluid level indicator from the filler tube and wipe indicator off.
  6. Reinsert the fluid level indicator into the filler tube making sure it is seated in its original position.
  7. Remove the indicator and check the fluid level. The level should be between the full HOT and low HOT marks. If the level is below the low HOT mark, add fluid 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 qt) of fluid. Use Dextron-3 Automatic Transmission Fluid GM P/N 12346143, or equivalent.