Servicing - A/t Buick Estate Wagon

IDENTIFICATION

A new system has been developed by Hydra-Matic to "functionally" describe its transmissions and transaxles. The new transmission designations, used throughout this manual, will indicate (in sequence) the number of speeds, type, series and major features (if applicable).

Refer to HYDRA-MATIC PRODUCT DESIGNATIONS to reference each new designation.

HYDRA-MATIC PRODUCT DESIGNATION SYSTEM CODES

HYDRA-MATIC PRODUCT DESIGNATIONS

FWD APPLICATION

RWD TRANSMISSION APPLICATION

SERVICE INTERVALS

Check transmission fluid level at every engine 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

1. Start engine and operate vehicle for at least 15 minutes or until reaching operating temperature. With engine at curb idle, vehicle on level ground, move gear selector lever through all ranges ending in the "P" position.
2. Remove transmission dipstick, wipe clean and fully reinsert into filler tube. Remove again and inspect fluid level. Fluid level should be between the "ADD 1 PT. OR .5L" mark and the "FULL HOT" mark on dipstick.

RECOMMENDED FLUID

Use only Dexron-II Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or equivalent.

FLUID CAPACITY

Note. Quantities listed are approximate. Correct fluid level should be determined by mark on dipstick rather than by amount of fluid added.

TRANSMISSION REFILL CAPACITIES

DRAINING & REFILLING

1. With vehicle raised and large drain pan placed under transmission oil pan, remove front and side transmission oil pan bolts only. Loosen rear pan bolts about 4 turns each.
2. Carefully pry pan loose with screwdriver, allowing fluid to drain. Remove remaining bolts and remove oil pan. Discard old pan gasket. Remove filter and "O" ring or sleeve type seal. Remove any remaining gasket material left on transmission case.
3. Thoroughly clean pan, magnet and screen with solvent and dry with compressed air. Paper type filters should be replaced. Install new "O" ring on pick-up tube or new sleeve into pick-up tube recess. Lubricate with clean oil before installation.
4. Install filter assembly into pick-up tube recess. Install oil pan using new gasket and tighten pan bolts to specification. Add required amount of fluid to transmission through filler tube.
5. Start engine with gear selector lever in the "P" position and parking brake applied. Engage transmission in each gear ending in the "P" position. Check fluid level with vehicle warm and add fluid if necessary. DO NOT overfill.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (OIL PAN BOLTS)

"N" Body (2.3L Quad 4)

1. Rotate T.V. cable adjuster body (at transaxle) 90 degrees. Pull cable conduit out until slider mechanism hits stop. (Scheme 51)
2. Rotate adjuster body back to original position. Using a torque wrench and socket, rotate T.V. cable adjuster hex nut until 75 INCH lbs. (8.5 N.m) is reached. Road test vehicle.

Scheme 51

"A" Body (2.5L)

1. Ensure T.V. cable is in full, nonadjusted position. Ensure T.V. cable operates smoothly and connected at transaxle.
2. Accelerator cable must be installed when adjusting T.V. cable. Rotate idler pulley (cam) counterclockwise to 65 INCH lbs. (7 N.m) to place cable in adjusted position. (Scheme 52)

Scheme 52

All Other Models

1. Engine must be off. Depress metal readjust tab on cable adjuster (located at cable support bracket on engine) and hold it in this position.
2. Move cable housing slider (away from throttle lever) until it stops and is completely against fitting. Release readjust tab. (Scheme 53)
3. Rotate throttle lever (by hand) to its full throttle position. Slider must move (ratchet) toward lever when lever is rotated to its full throttle position. Check cable for sticking and binding.

Scheme 53

Gear Shift Linkage Basic Adjustment Information

1. Linkage should be adjusted so that engine cannot be started in any position except Park or Neutral. If linkage is improperly adjusted, an internal hydraulic leak could occur causing internal clutch and/or band failure.
2. With selector lever in the "P" position, transmission 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.

Column Shift Rod (RWD)

1. Position steering column gear selector lever in the Neutral gate notch. Loosen clamp screw from below vehicle and place transmission lever in Neutral. (Scheme 54)
2. Hold clamp flush against equalizer lever. Tighten clamp screw finger tight, then tighten to 21 ft. lbs. (28 N.m) without applying tension on either equalizer lever or selector rod. Ensure there is no tension on either equalizer lever or selector rod after adjustment is complete. (Scheme 54)

Scheme 54

Floor Shift Cable "B" & "D" Bodies (RWD)

1. Place gear selector lever in the "P" position. Raise and support vehicle. Ensure transmission is fully engaged in Park by rotating drive shaft until parking pawl engages preventing rotation of shaft.
2. Loosen cable adjusting nut on transmission lever to allow pin to slide freely. With gear selector lever and transmission lever both in Park position, tighten cable adjusting nut to 15 ft. lbs. (20 N.m). (Scheme 55)

Scheme 55

Floor Shift Cable "F" & "Y" Bodies (RWD)

Place gear selector lever in the "N" position. Raise and support vehicle. Loosen cable adjusting nut at transmission lever. (Scheme 56) Ensure that transmission lever is in the Neutral position by rotating it clockwise to Park detent, then back (counterclockwise) 2 detents to Neutral. Tighten cable adjusting nut to 15 ft. lbs. (20 N.m).

Note. Lever must be held out of Park when tightening nut.

Scheme 56

Except Self-Adjusting Cable Type (FWD)

1. Place gear selector lever in the "N" position. Loosen cable adjusting nut at transaxle lever. (Scheme 57)
2. Ensure that transaxle lever is in the Neutral detent. Tighten cable adjusting nut. Lever MUST be held out of Park when tightening nut. DO NOT use impact tools on nut.

Scheme 57

Note. Self-adjusting shift cable is commonly used on "A," "C," "H," "N" and "W" body styles.

Self-Adjusting Cable (FWD)

Place gear selector lever in the "N" position. Lift up lock button on cable adjuster at transaxle mounting bracket. (Scheme 58) Place transaxle lever in Neutral detent. Push down on lock button.

Scheme 58

Floor Shift Models

1. With gear selector lever in the Park position and ignition key in LOCK position, gear selector lever should not be able to be moved to other gear positions. Ignition key should be removable from column.
2. With key in RUN position and gear selector lever in the Neutral position, ensure key cannot be turned to LOCK position. If system does not perform as described in steps 1) and 2), go to step 3) for adjustment procedure.
3. If key cannot be removed in Park position, snap connector lock button to up position. Move cable connector nose rearward until key can be removed from ignition. (Scheme 59)- (Scheme 61). Snap lock button down.

Scheme 59

Scheme 60

Scheme 61

RWD Models ("B" & "D" Bodies)

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 ignition switch to the "Start" position in all gear selector positions except park or neutral.

RWD Models ("F" & "Y" Bodies)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove gear selector knob. Remove center console cover. Place gear selector lever in the "N" position. If old switch is being readjusted, go to step 2). If new switch is being installed, go to step 4).
2. Align tang on switch with tang slot on shift control. (Scheme 62) Loosen switch mounting nuts. Rotate switch to align service adjustment hole with carrier tang hole.
3. Insert a.094" (2.34 mm) wire gauge into adjustment hole in top of switch. Rotate switch until pin drops to depth of.59" (15 mm). Tighten mounting nuts to 26 INCH lbs. (3 N.m). Vehicle should only start in Park or Neutral.
4. If new switch if being installed, insert switch tang in slot on shift control. Tighten mounting nuts to 26 INCH lbs. (3 N.m).
5. If holes do not align with shift control, ensure gear selector lever is in the "N" position. DO NOT rotate switch. Switch is pinned in Neutral. NOTE: If new switch has been rotated and was pin broken during installation, use adjustment procedure in step 2).
6. If holes align with shift control, move gear selector lever out of Neutral position to shear plastic pin.

Scheme 62

FWD Models

1. There are 2 different neutral safety/back-up light switches used on FWD models. (Scheme 63) To adjust switch, place gear selector lever in the "N" position.
2. Ensure shift cable is adjusted correctly and transaxle lever is in Neutral position. Loosen switch attaching screws. Rotate switch on shifter assembly to align adjustment hole with carrier tang hole.
3. Insert a 3/32" (2.4 mm) wire gauge about 5/8" into switch holes. Tighten attaching screws. Remove wire gauge. New switches may have plastic pin installed in hole. Plastic pin is designed to shear off during shift lever operation.

Scheme 63

TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH BRAKE SWITCH

The torque converter clutch brake switch must be adjusted to prevent vehicle stalling at idle due to the clutch remaining applied. Ensure brake pedal is fully released. Adjust plunger to just touch brake pedal lever.

Cadillac

Some models with 4T60 transaxle are equipped with a thermistor switch that senses transaxle fluid temperature. This information is sent to the ECM to determine Viscous Converter Clutch (VCC) operation. The ECM engages VCC when fluid temperature is 200°F (93°C) or less, provided all other conditions have been met. If fluid temperature is higher than specified, ECM will not allow VCC engagement until vehicle speed is approximately 36 MPH.

Scheme 64

Scheme 65

Scheme 66

See also:
• HYDRA-MATIC PRODUCT DESIGNATIONS