GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Caution: To ensure personal safety and prevent vehicle damage, the transmission road test procedure should only be performed when traffic and road conditions permit. Observe all traffic and safety regulations when performing this test

Important: 

   • Perform the road test following the sequence given.
   • Shift points (km/h, mph) will vary with the actual throttle position and with individual driving habits.

Perform the following steps in order to test the upshifts and the torque converter clutch (TCC) apply:

  1. With the gear selector in the DRIVE position, accelerate the vehicle using a steady increasing throttle pressure.
  2. Note the gear engagements for the following:
  3. • Second gear
    • Third gear
  4. Note the TCC apply. TCC apply should occur while the vehicle is in third gear. If the TCC apply is not noted, refer to Torque Converter Evaluation and Diagnosis .

Important: The torque converter clutch will not engage if the engine coolant has not reached a minimum operating temperature of approximately 54°C (130°F).

Part Throttle Detent Downshift

  1. Accelerate to a speed of 64-88 km/h (40-55 mph).
  2. Quickly depress the accelerator to a half-open position.
  3. Inspect for the following conditions:
  4. •  The TCC releases.
    • The transmission downshifts to second gear immediately.

Full Throttle Detent Downshift

  1. Accelerate to a speed of 64-88 km/h (40-55 mph).
  2. Quickly depress the accelerator to a wide open position.
  3. Inspect for the following conditions:
  4. • The TCC releases.
    • The transmission downshifts to second gear immediately.

Manual Downshift

  1. Accelerate to a speed of 64-88 km/h (40-55 mph).
  2. Release the accelerator pedal while shifting the gear selector into the second gear position.
  3. Inspect for the following conditions:
  4. • The TCC releases.
    • The transmission downshifts to second gear immediately.
    • The engine slows the vehicle down.

Coastdown Downshift

  1. With the gear selector in the DRIVE position, accelerate to third gear with the TCC applied.
  2. Release the accelerator pedal.
  3. Lightly apply the brakes and inspect for the following conditions:
  4. • The TCC releases.
    • The shift points for downshifts.

Manual Gear Range Selection

To manually test the second gear range, proceed as follows:

  1. With the vehicle stopped, place the gear selector in the second gear position.
  2. Accelerate the vehicle. Observe the first to second gear shift.
  3. Accelerate to a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). Inspect for the following conditions:
  4. • A second to third gear shift does not occur.
    • The TCC does not engage.

Use the following procedure in order to manually test the first gear range:

  1. With the vehicle stopped, place the gear selector in the first gear position.
  2. Accelerate to a speed of 24 km/h (15 mph). Inspect for the following conditions:
  3. • No upshift occurs.
    • The TCC does not engage.

Use the following procedure in order to manually test the reverse gear operation:

  1. With the vehicle stopped, place the gear selector in the REVERSE position.
  2. Accelerate slowly in order to observe reverse gear operation.

Important: All possible throttle positions and corresponding km/h (mph) shift point information has not been provided.