SERVICE INTERVALS
Check fluid level at every oil change. Transmission fluid should be changed and filter replaced every 100,000 miles under normal operating conditions.
Under continuous extreme operating conditions (trailer towing, heavy city traffic with ambient temperature over 90°F (32°C) or delivery service), fluid and filter should be changed every 15,000 miles.
CHECKING FLUID LEVEL
| CAUTION | DO NOT overfill. One pint of fluid will raise level from "ADD 1 PT. OR .5L" to "FULL HOT" mark on dipstick with a hot transmission. |
- Warm transmission to normal operating temperature by at least 15 miles of highway driving. With engine at curb idle, move selector lever through all ranges, ending in Park.
- Remove dipstick. Wipe dipstick clean and reinstall. Remove again and inspect level. Fluid level should check between "ADD 1 PT. OR .5L" and "FULL HOT" marks on dipstick.
| CAUTION | If vehicle has been operated for an extended period of time at high speed, in city traffic in hot weather, or if vehicle has been pulling a trailer, an accurate fluid level cannot be determined until fluid has cooled down (about 30 minutes after vehicle has been parked). |
RECOMMENDED FLUID
Use only Dexron II or equivalent automatic transmission fluid.
FLUID CAPACITY
Note. Quantities listed are approximate. Correct fluid level should be determined by mark on dipstick rather than by amount added.
| Application | Refill Qts. (L) | Total Qts. (L) |
|---|---|---|
| THM 125C | 4.0 (3.8) | 10.0 (9.5) |
| THM 440-T4 | 6.6 (6.2) | 10.0 (9.5) |
TRANSMISSION REFILL CAPACITIES
DRAINING & REFILLING
- With vehicle raised and drain pan placed under transmission, remove front and side oil pan bolts. Loosen rear oil pan bolts about 4 turns and carefully pry oil pan loose with screwdriver. Allow fluid to drain. Remove remaining oil pan bolts and pan with gasket attached.
- Remove screen/filter-to-valve body bolts and remove screen/filter with gasket. Thoroughly clean pan with solvent and dry with compressed air.
- Paper type filters should be replaced. Install new gasket or "O" rings lubricated with clean oil into new screen/filter assembly. Install screen/filter assembly on transmission.
- Using new oil pan gasket, install oil pan. Lower vehicle and add proper amount of fluid to transmission through filler tube. Start engine in Park position with parking brake applied.
- With engine idling, move selector lever through all positions, ending in Park. Check fluid level and add as required. DO NOT overfill.
Scheme 93
- Depress lock tab and move slider back through fitting away from throttle body or pump lever until slider stops against fitting.
- Release lock tab and open throttle to full throttle stop position to automatically adjust T.V. cable. Release throttle. (Scheme 93) (Scheme 93): Self-Adjusting Throttle Valve Cable
- Check cable for sticking and binding. Road test vehicle. If delayed or only full throttle shifts occur, proceed as follows
- Remove transmission oil pan and inspect throttle lever and bracket assembly.
- Ensure T.V. exhaust valve lifter rod is not distorted and binding in control valve assembly or spacer plate. T.V. exhaust check ball must move up and down as lifter does. Lifter spring must hold lifter rod up against bottom of control valve assembly. Ensure correct throttle lever-to-cable link is used.
SHIFT LINKAGE
- Linkage should be adjusted so that engine cannot be started in any position except "P" or "N". If linkage is improperly adjusted, an internal leak could occur causing a clutch and/or band failure.
- With selector lever in "P" position, parking pawl should engage rear/reaction internal gear lugs or output ring gear lugs. Pointer on indicator quadrant should line up properly with range indicators in all ranges.
Scheme 94
- Place shift lever in Neutral position. Place transaxle lever in Neutral notch. Loosely assemble nut to pin through transaxle lever with transaxle cable assembled to pin.
- Assemble steering column shift lever pin and transaxle control cable bracket. Tighten nut. Lever must be held out of Park when tightening nut. (Scheme 94) (Scheme 94): Floor Shift Linkage (FWD Models)
Scheme 95
- Position shift lever and transaxle lever in Neutral position. Loosely assembly pin and nut through transaxle lever with transaxle cable assembled to pin.
- Assemble steering column shift lever pin and transaxle control cable bracket. Tighten nut (lever must be held out of Park when tightening nut). (Scheme 95) (Scheme 95): Cable Type Adjustment (FWD Models)
Cable Type (Riviera & Toronado)
- Position shift selector lever in Neutral gate notch. Loosen nut on pin at attachment point of cable to steering column.
- Move transaxle lever to Neutral position and ensure that pin is free to move in slot. Tighten pin without applying tension on cable or lever.
Column Shift Models
Column shift models use a mechanical interference type neutral start system. A wedge-shaped finger, attached to the ignition switch actuator rod, blocks movement of switch to "START" position in all shift positions except "N" or "P".
Scheme 96
- Place control shifter assembly in Neutral gate notch. Loosen switch attaching screws. Rotate switch on shifter to align adjustment hole with carrier tang hole.
- Insert a 3/32" gauge pin into the hole to a depth of.60" (15 mm). Tighten switch attaching screws. Remove gauge pin. (Scheme 96) (Scheme 96): Neutral Safety Switch (Fiero)
TORQUE (OR VISCOUS) CONVERTER CLUTCH BRAKE SWITCH
The torque (or viscous) converter clutch brake switch must be adjusted to prevent vehicle stalling at idle. Ensure brake pedal is fully released. Adjust plunger to just touch brake pedal lever.
Cadillac (FWD Models Except Cimarron)
The THM 440-T4 is equipped with a thermistor switch that senses the temperature of the transaxle fluid. This information is sent to the ECM for Viscous Converter Clutch (VCC) operation. The ECM will engage the VCC when fluid temperature is 200°F (93°C) or less, provided all other conditions have been met. If fluid temperature is higher than this, ECM will not allow VCC engagement until vehicle speed is about 36 MPH.