SMU for 2002 VUE Transaxle Service Manuals

The purpose of this bulletin is to update all 2002 Transaxle Service Manuals at your location with the following:

Please obtain all 2002 Transaxle Service Manuals at your location and make the necessary updates to each manual as indicated in this bulletin.

1. Using a marker or pen, cross out the following procedures from the service manuals:

•	Cross out the Bushing, Bearing and Thrust Washer Locations illustration on page 532.

•	Cross out the Transaxle Fluid Level Checking Procedure on page 537.

•	Cross out the Transaxle Fluid Replacement procedure on pages 338 - 340.

•	Cross out the Transaxle Fluid Replacement procedure on page 559 and 560.

•	Cross out the Transaxle Fluid Level Checking Procedure on page 271 and 272.

2. Next to each item crossed out in step 1, write the following:

Refer to Technical Bulletin 02-T-09

3. Make photocopies of pages 3 - 11 of this bulletin.
4. Insert a photocopy of pages into each service manual:

•	Insert photocopy of page 4 between pages 532 and 533.

•	Insert photocopy of page 5 between pages 536 and 537.

•	Insert photocopy of page 6 and 7 between pages 558 and 559.

•	Insert photocopy of pages 8 and 9 between pages 270 and 271.

•	Insert photocopy of pages 10 and 11 between pages 338 and 339.

Using a marker or pen, make the following corrections:

The following NOTICE was inadvertently omitted from the 2002 VUE Transaxle Service Manual. Write in the following NOTICE on page 82 following the Brake Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) text.

Notice: All shifter cable and park lock cable clips are one time usage only. Any service repair requiring cables to be disconnected from the transaxle control cable bracket or shifter assembly will require a cable clip replacement.

The following are the proper locations for the AF33-5 and VT25-E Transaxle Removal procedures and for Diagnostic chart - Complaint/Condition Chart (AF33-5) that was inadvertently omitted. The transaxle removal procedures are correct and titled correctly, however they have been included in the incorrect sections.

Service manual update page to be inserted into 2002 VUE Transaxle Service Manuals. Refer to Technical Information Bulletin 02-T-09, February, 2002.

Service manual update page to be inserted into 2002 VUE Transaxle Service Manuals. Refer to Technical Information Bulletin 02-T-09, February, 2002.

1. Park vehicle on level ground.
2. Start engine and operate vehicle until transaxle fluid temperature reaches 60°- 70°C (140° - 158°F) *.
3. Depress brake pedal and move shift lever slowly through all gear ranges from P (Park) to L (Low), pausing for about three seconds in each range. Return shift lever to P (Park) range at idle condition.



4. Push retaining clip back and pull level gauge out, wipe off fluid with a clean cloth and reinsert.
5. Pull level gauge out again and check if fluid level is within the HOT range.
6. Check condition of transaxle fluid. Refer to "Check Fluid Color" located in this service manual.

Notice: Saturn Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) (P/N 21005966 and P/N 21019223) is not compatible with this transaxle. If Saturn ATF is used, transaxle damage will result. This transaxle uses Saturn transaxle fluid (P/N 22689186).

7. If fluid is not within the correct level, adjust accordingly:

7.1.	If fluid is below the HOT range, add enough fluid to bring it up to correct level.

7.2.	If fluid is above the HOT range, drain excess fluid.

* If check is necessary at a low oil temperature of 30°- 40°C (86° - 104°F), perform check using the COLD range on level gauge. However, the fluid must be re-checked at the proper fluid temperature.

Service manual update page to be inserted into 2002 VUE Transaxle Service Manuals. Refer to Technical Information Bulletin 02-T-09, February, 2002.

Removal

Caution: Make sure vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned on the hoist. To help avoid personal injury when a vehicle is on a hoist, provide additional support for the vehicle on the opposite end from which components are being removed.

1. Position vehicle on a hoist and raise vehicle.
2. Remove drain plug and drain fluid. Allow at least 5 minutes for fluid to drain completely.
3. Remove gasket from drain plug and discard.
4. Install a new gasket onto drain plug.
5. Install drain plug.

Tighten
Tighten the drain olug to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

6. Lower vehicle.
7. Add approximately 3.1 Liters (3.3 qts.) of Saturn transaxle fluid to unit.
8. Make sure vehicle is on level ground.
9. Start engine and operate vehicle until transaxle fluid temperature reaches 60°- 70°C (140°-158°F).*
10. Apply parking brake.
11. Depress brake pedal and move shift lever slowly through all gear ranges from P (Park) to L (Low), pausing for about three seconds in each range. Return shift lever to P (Park) range at idle condition.



12. Push retaining clip back and pull level gauge out, wipe off fluid with a clean cloth and reinsert.



13. Pull level gauge out again and check if fluid level is within the HOT range.
14. If fluid is not within the correct level, adjust accordingly:

•	If fluid is below the HOT range, add enough to bring it up to the correct level.

•	If fluid is above HOT range, drain excess fluid.

* If the check is necessary at a low oil temperature of 30°- 40°C (86°- 104°F), perform check using the COLD range on the level gauge. However, the fluid must be re-checked at the proper fluid temperature.

Service manual update page to be inserted into 2002 VUE Transaxle Service Manuals. Refer to Technical Information Bulletin 02-T-09, February, 2002.

Caution: Make sure vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned on hoist. To help avoid personal injury when a vehicle is on a hoist, provide additional support for the vehicle on the opposite end from which components are being removed.

1. Install scan tool.
2. Start vehicle.
3. Perform the following:

3.1.	Shift transaxle from (P) Park to (R) Reverse for 10 seconds.

3.2.	Shift transaxle from (R) Reverse to (D Drive for 10 seconds.

3.3.	Shift transaxle back to (P) Park. The engine should remain running.

4. Set transaxle to the following conditions:

4.1.	Engine Speed at idle or 800 rpm

4.2.	Shift selector in (P) Park.

5. Raise vehicle. Vehicle must be level, with engine running.



6. Remove lower tube plug and discard.

•	If fluid drains down at a steady stream from the opening, wait for it to stop. Go to step 7.

•	If no or very little fluid drains down from opening, add fluid to transaxle until it starts to drain at a steady stream (1/4 inch in diameter). Then stop adding immediately. Allow fluid to drain until fluid stream stops.

Notice: Saturn Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) (P/N 21005966 and P/N 21019223) is not compatible with this transaxle. If Saturn ATF is used, transaxle damage will result. This transaxle uses Saturn Transaxle Fluid (P/N 22688912).

7. Replace with new plug and wipe away any excess fluid from transaxle.

Tighten
Tighten the transaxle lower tube plug to 11 N·m (8 lb ft).

8. On Scan tool, record the Trans. Fluid Temp.

•	If the Trans. Fluid Temp. is 20°C (68°F) or below, add 0.5 qt. (0.47 liter) of fluid to transaxle. Do not remove plug.

•	If the Trans. Fluid Temp. is 40°C (104°F) add 0.75 qt. (0.71 liter) of fluid to the transaxle. Do not remove plug.

•	If the Trans. Fluid Temp. is 60°C (140°F) add 1.0 qt. (0.95 liter) of fluid to the transaxle. Do not remove plug.

•	If the Trans. Fluid Temp. is 80°C (176°F) or above, add 1.25 qt. (1.2 liter) of fluid to the transaxle. Do not remove plug.

9. Turn off vehicle.

Service manual update page to be inserted into 2002 VUE Transaxle Service Manuals. Refer to Technical Information Bulletin 02-T-09, February, 2002.

Caution:  MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON THE HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY WHEN A VEHICLE IS ON A HOIST, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE END FROM WHICH COMPONENTS ARE BEING REMOVED.

Notice: DEX-CVT® additive P/N 22697447 is required for all transaxle fluid replacement procedures.

1. Position vehicle on hoist and raise vehicle.
2. Remove lower tube plug.



3. Remove lower tube assembly and drain fluid. Allow at least 5 minutes for fluid to drain completely.
4. Install lower tube assembly.

Tighten
Tighten the lower tube assembly to 16 N·m (12 lb ft).

5. Temporarily install original lower tube plug. Do not torque plug.
6. Lower vehicle.

Notice: Saturn ATF (P/N 21005966 and P/N 21019223) is not compatible with this transaxle. If Saturn ATF is used, transaxle damage will result. This transaxle uses Saturn Transaxle Fluid (Saturn P/N 22688912).

7. Add a range of 6.0-6.5L (6-7 qts) of fluid to unit.
8. Install scan tool.
9. Start vehicle. Vehicle must be level.
10. Perform the following:

10.1.

Shift transaxle from (P) Park to (R) Reverse for 10 seconds.

10.2.

Shift transaxle from (R) Reverse to (D) Drive for 10 seconds.

10.3.

Shift transaxle back to (P) Park (engine should remain running).




11. Raise vehicle.
12. Remove lower tube plug and discard.

•	If fluid drains down at a steady stream from the opening, wait for it to stop.

•	If no or very little fluid drains down from opening, add fluid to transaxle until it starts to drain at a steady stream (1/4 inch in diameter). Then stop adding immediately. Allow fluid to drain until fluid stream stops.

13. Install new plug, and wipe away any excess fluid from transaxle.

Tighten
Tighten the transaxle lower tube plug 11 N·m (8 lb ft).

14. Lower vehicle.
15. On the scan tool, record TRANS FLUID TEMP.

•	If TRANS FLUID TEMP is 20°C (68°F) or below, add 0.5 qt. (0.47 liter) of fluid to transaxle.

•	If TRANS FLUID TEMP is 40°C (104°F) add 0.75 qt. (0.71 liter) of fluid to the transaxle. Do not remove plug.

•	If TRANS FLUID TEMP is 60°C (140°F) add 1.0 qt. (0.95 liter) of fluid to the transaxle. Do not remove plug.

•	If TRANS FLUID TEMP is 80°C (176°F) or above, add 1.25 qt. (1.2 liter) of fluid to the transaxle. Do not remove plug.

16. Turn off vehicle.
17. Add DEX-CVT® additive P/N 22697447 to transaxle using the applicator provided. Inject entire contents into transaxle.