GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Replacement Body Vin Code 3

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 104739  Size: SH

    Important: The front and rear sections of the cooler lines can be serviced separately. Refer to the appropriate steps when servicing individual lines. Perform the following procedure when removing the cooler lines from the quick connect fittings.

  1. Pull the plastic cap back from the quick connect fitting and down along the cooler line about 5 cm (2 in).
  2. Using a bent-tip screwdriver, pull on one of the open ends of the retaining ring in order to rotate the retaining ring around the quick connect fitting until the retaining ring is out of position and can be completely removed.
  3. Remove the retaining ring from the quick connect fitting.
  4. Discard the retaining ring.

  5. Object Number: 104740  Size: SH
  6. Pull the cooler line straight out from the quick connect fitting.

  7. Object Number: 744815  Size: SH
  8. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  9. Place a drain pan under the vehicle.
  10. Remove the cooler lines (3,4) from the radiator.
  11. Separate the front and rear cooler lines at the quick connect fitting (2).
  12. Remove the cooler lines from the retainer (1) located on the radiator shroud.
  13. Remove the front sections of the cooler lines from the vehicle.

  14. Object Number: 744636  Size: SH
  15. Remove the rear sections of the cooler lines from the retainer (1) located on the right side of the engine.
  16. Remove the clip (2) that holds the cooler lines together.
  17. Support the transmission with a transmission jack.
  18. Remove the transmission support. Refer to Transmission Support Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
  19. Remove the front exhaust pipe assembly. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
  20. Carefully lower the transmission to gain access to the cooler line fittings.
  21. Place a drain pan under the vehicle.
  22. Disconnect the oil cooler lines (4) from the transmission.

  23. Object Number: 744641  Size: SH
  24. Disconnect the rear oil cooler lines (2) from the front oil cooler lines (1).
  25. Remove the oil cooler lines from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the transmission oil cooler lines to the vehicle.
  2. Important: 

       • Do not reuse any of the existing oil lines or oil line fittings if there is excessive corrosion.
       • Do not reuse any of the existing retaining rings that were removed from the existing quick connect fittings. All retaining rings being installed must be new.
       • Ensure the following procedures are performed when installing the new retaining rings onto the fittings.

  3. Install a new retaining ring (E-clip) into the quick connect fitting using the following procedure:

  4. Object Number: 104743  Size: SH
  5. Hook one of the open ends of the retaining ring in one of the slots in the quick connect fitting.

  6. Object Number: 104746  Size: SH
  7. Rotate the retaining ring around the fitting until the retaining ring is positioned with all three ears through the three slots on the fitting.

  8. Object Number: 104741  Size: SH
  9. Do not install the new retaining ring onto the fitting by pushing the retaining ring.

  10. Object Number: 104664  Size: SH
  11. Ensure that the three retaining ring ears are seen from inside the fitting and that the retaining ring moves freely in the fitting slots.
  12. Install the new retaining ring (E-clip) into the remaining quick connect fittings.
  13. Notice: Ensure that the cooler line being installed has a plastic cap on each end that connects to a quick connect fitting. If no plastic cap exists, or the plastic cap is damaged, obtain a new plastic cap and position on to the cooler line prior to the cooler line installation.


    Object Number: 744641  Size: SH
  14. Connect the rear cooler lines (2) to the front cooler lines (1).

  15. Object Number: 104752  Size: SH
  16. Install the cooler lines into the quick connect fitting.
  17. Insert the cooler line end into the quick connect fitting until a click is either heard or felt.

  18. Object Number: 104750  Size: SH
  19. Do not use the plastic cap on the cooler line in order to install the cooler line into the fitting.
  20. Pull back sharply on the cooler line in order to ensure that the cooler line is fastened into the quick connect fitting.

  21. Object Number: 104753  Size: SH
  22. Position (snap) the plastic cap onto the fitting. Do not manually depress the retaining ring when installing the plastic cap onto the quick connect fitting.
  23. Ensure that the plastic cap is fully seated against the fitting.

  24. Object Number: 104754  Size: SH
  25. Ensure that no gap is present between the cap and the fitting.

  26. Object Number: 104753  Size: SH
  27. Ensure that the yellow identification band on the tube is hidden within the quick connect fitting.

  28. Object Number: 104755  Size: SH
  29. A hidden yellow identification band indicates proper joint seating.

  30. Object Number: 744636  Size: SH
  31. Install the cooling line ends (4) to the transmission.
  32. Raise the transmission into position.
  33. Install the front exhaust pipe assembly. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
  34. Install the transmission support. Refer to Transmission Support Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
  35. Remove the transmission jack.
  36. Install the clip (2) that holds the cooler lines together.
  37. Install the cooler lines to the retainer (1) located on the right side of the engine.

  38. Object Number: 744815  Size: SH
  39. Install the front sections of the cooler lines to the vehicle.
  40. Install the cooler lines to the retainer (1) located on the radiator shroud.
  41. Connect the front and rear cooler lines at the quick connect fitting (2).
  42. Install the cooler lines (3,4) to the radiator.
  43. Remove the drain pan from under the vehicle.
  44. Lower the vehicle.
  45. Fill the transmission to the proper level with DEXRON® III transmission fluid. Refer to Transmission Fluid Check .