Servicing - A/t Chevrolet Caprice Impala SS

IDENTIFICATION

The manufacturer has developed a system to functionally describe its transmissions and transaxles. The designations indicate number of speeds, type, series and major features. (Scheme 33) Also see appropriate table below.

RWD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION APPLICATIONS

Scheme 33

SERVICE INTERVALS

Check transmission fluid level at every engine oil change. Transmission fluid should not be changed under normal operating conditions. Under continuous extreme operating conditions (trailer towing, heavy city traffic with ambient temperature more than 90°F (32°C) or delivery service), fluid and filter should be changed every 50,000 miles.

CHECKING FLUID LEVEL

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

RECOMMENDED FLUID

Use only Dexron-III Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).

FLUID CAPACITIES

FLUID CAPACITIES (1)

DRAINING & REFILLING

Note. If oil pan bolts are equipped with conical washers, DO NOT re-use bolts if conical washers have become reversed. (Scheme 34)

Scheme 34

1. Raise vehicle, and place large drain pan under transmission oil pan. Remove transmission oil pan front and side bolts only. Loosen rear bolts about 4 turns each.
2. Carefully pry pan loose using screwdriver. Allow 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 on transmission case.
3. Thoroughly clean pan, magnet and screen (if metal) with solvent, and then dry using compressed air. Replace paper filter (if equipped). 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. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (OIL PAN BOLTS)»(/chevrolet/caprice-impala-ss/1995-1996/remont/automatic-trans/#servicing-at) . Add required amount of fluid to transmission through filler tube.
5. Start engine with gear selector lever in Park and parking brake applied. Engage transmission in each gear, ending in Park. Check fluid level with engine warm. Add fluid if necessary. DO NOT overfill.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (OIL PAN BOLTS)

SHIFT CABLE (RWD)

"F" & "Y" Bodies

Place gear selector lever in Neutral. Raise and support vehicle. Loosen cable adjusting nut at transmission lever. (Scheme 35) Ensure shift shaft lever is in Neutral by rotating lever clockwise to Park detent, and then counterclockwise 2 detents to Neutral. Tighten nut ( DO NOT tighten nut with lever in Park).

Scheme 35

SHIFT LINKAGE ROD (RWD)

"B" & "D" Bodies

Position steering column shift lever in Neutral. Raise and support vehicle. Loosen clamp and clamp screw where end of selector rod extends through hole in clamp. (Scheme 36) Place transmission shift shaft in Neutral. Tighten clamp screw.

Scheme 36

"F" Body

1. With gear selector lever in Park and ignition switch in LOCK position, gear selector lever should not be able to be moved to other gear positions and ignition key should be removable from lock cylinder.
2. With ignition switch in RUN position and gear selector lever in Neutral, ensure ignition switch cannot be turned to LOCK position. If system does not perform as described, unlock park lock cable adjuster (button up). (Scheme 37) Move cable connector nose rearward until key can be removed from ignition. Lock cable adjuster (button down).

Scheme 37

NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH

Note. Adjust switch so engine will start in Park or Neutral only.

RWD ("B" & "D" Bodies)

Vehicles with column shift use a mechanical interference-type neutral start system. With gear selector in any position except Park or Neutral, a wedge-shaped finger, attached to ignition switch actuator rod, prevents ignition switch from being rotated to START position.

RWD ("F" & "Y" Bodies)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove gear selector knob and center console cover. Place gear selector lever in Neutral. If old switch is being adjusted, go to next step. If NEW switch is being installed, go to step 4).
2. Align the tang on the switch with the tang slot on the shift control. (Scheme 38) Loosen switch mounting nuts. Rotate switch to align service adjustment hole with carrier tang hole.
3. Insert a.092" (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 27 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 27 INCH lbs. (3 N.m).
5. Ensure gear selector lever is in Neutral if holes DO NOT align with shift control. DO NOT rotate switch. Switch is pinned in Neutral. NOTE: If new switch is rotated and pin breaks during installation, use adjustment procedure in step 2).
6. If holes align with shift control, move gear selector lever out of Neutral to shear plastic pin.

TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH BRAKE SWITCH

Ensure torque converter clutch brake switch is adjusted to prevent vehicle from stalling at idle due to clutch remaining applied. Ensure brake pedal is fully released. Adjust switch until switch plunger just touches brake pedal lever.

Scheme 38

See also:
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (OIL PAN BOLTS)