Automatic Transmission - Servicing - Except Allison: Maintenance Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Checking Fluid Level

1. Start the engine and operate the vehicle for 15 minutes or until the transmission fluid reaches an operating temperature of 180-200°F (82-93°C).
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
3. With your foot on the brake, move the shift lever through each gear range. Pause for about 3 seconds in each range, ending in Park.
4. Apply the parking brake and let the engine idle for 3 minutes.
5. Remove the transmission fluid level indicator. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator. Give the indicator a full twist in order to close.
6. Wait 3 seconds and remove the indicator.
7. Read both sides of the indicator. The fluid must be within the hot cross hatched area using the lowest level reading.

Checking Fluid Condition

1. Check the fluid color. Is the fluid Red in color? If so, go to step 5 . If not, go to next step.
2. Is the fluid a non transparent Pink in color? If so, go to step 14 . If not, go to next step.
3. Is the fluid a light Brown in color? If so, go to step 5 . If not, go to next step.
4. Is the fluid Black in color and or have a burnt smell? If so, go to step 14 . If not, go to next step.
5. Does the fluid appear as a solid liquid and not foamy or full of bubbles on transmission fluid level indicator? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 7 .
6. Check the fluid level. Proper level should be in middle of the cross hatched pattern, on transmission fluid level indicator. Is the level okay? If so, go to step 19 . If not, go to next step.
7. Is the fluid level high on indicator? If so, go to step 12 . If not, go to next step.
8. Is the fluid level low on indicator? If so, go to step 9 . If not, go to next step.
9. Check for any external leak or leaks. Did you find an external leak or leaks? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 11 .
10. Correct leak or leaks as needed. Are any leak or leaks still present? If so, go to step 9 . If not, go to next step.
11. Add fluid until level is in middle of cross hatched pattern on the transmission fluid level indicator. Is the level okay? If so, go to step 19 . If not, go to step 6 .
12. Drain fluid until level is in middle of cross hatched pattern on the transmission fluid level indicator. Is level okay? If so, go to step 19 . If not, go to step 6 .
13. Replace oil cooler and flush lines. See «AUXILIARY OIL COOLER»(ref-138559-S17796819062002041700000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Is the replacement complete? If so, go to step 15 .
14. Drain fluid and remove oil pan to inspect. Is there sign or signs of internal component damage noted in bottom of transmission oil pan? If so, go to step 16 . If not go to step 13 .
15. Replace the filter and fluid. See «DRAINING & REFILLING»(ref-138559-S30587965752002041700000) . Is the replacement complete? If so, go to step 6 .
16. Flush oil cooler and lines, and check flow. See «OIL COOLER FLUSHING»(ref-138559-S25243961682002041700000) and «TRANSMISSION & OIL COOLER FLOW CHECK»(ref-138559-S08163358982002041700000) . Is transmission oil cooler flushing and flow test complete? If so, go to step 17 .
17. Overhaul transmission. See appropriate OVERHAUL article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. Is the overhaul procedure complete? If so, go to next step.
18. Fill transmission with appropriate fluid to proper level. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-138559-S20178162642002041700000) and «FLUID CAPACITIES»(ref-138559-S39503217522002041700000) . Is the procedure complete? If so, go to step 6 .
19. Check the fluid level and correct as necessary. Is the fluid level satisfactory? If so, system is okay. If not, go to step 1 .

1. Start the engine and operate the vehicle for 15 minutes or until the transmission fluid reaches an operating temperature of 180-200°F (82-93°C).
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
3. With your foot on the brake, move the shift lever through each gear range. Pause for about 3 seconds in each range, ending in Park.
4. Apply the parking brake and let the engine idle for 3 minutes.
5. Remove the transmission fluid level indicator. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator. Give the indicator a full twist in order to close.
6. Wait 3 seconds and remove the indicator.
7. Read both sides of the indicator. The fluid must be within the hot cross hatched area using the lowest level reading.

1. Check the fluid color. Is the fluid color Red? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 11 .
2. Is the fluid level satisfactory? If so, system is okay. If not, go to next step.
3. Check the fluid. Is the fluid foamy? If so, go to step 8 . If not, go to next step.
4. Check the fluid level. The proper fluid level should be in the middle of the cross hatched area on the fluid indicator. Is the level high? If so, go to step 9 . If not, go to next step.
5. The fluid will be low. Add fluid to the proper fluid level. After repairs, go to next step.
6. Check for external leaks. Were any leaks found? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 20 .
7. Correct the leak condition. After repairs, go to step 20 .
8. Is the fluid level too high? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 10 .
9. Remove excess fluid to the proper fluid level. Is the fluid level satisfactory? If so, go to step 20 .
10. Check for contaminants in the fluid. Drain the fluid to determine the source of the contamination. Was the fluid drained? If so, go to step 15 .
11. Is the fluid color non transparent Pink? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 14 .
12. Replace the cooler. After repairs, go to step 15 .
13. The fluid color should be Light Brown. Is the fluid color Light Brown? If so, go to next step.
14. Drain the fluid to determine if the fluid is contaminated. Was the fluid contaminated? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 18 .
15. Overhaul transmission. See appropriate OVERHAUL article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. Is the overhaul procedure complete? If so, go to next step.
16. Using scan tool, press clear TRANS ADAPT function. Are the reset procedures complete? If so, go to next step.
17. Fill transmission with appropriate fluid to proper level. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-138559-S20178162642002041700000) and «FLUID CAPACITIES»(ref-138559-S39503217522002041700000) . Is the procedure complete? If so, go to step 20 .
18. Change the fluid and the filter. See «DRAINING & REFILLING»(ref-138559-S30587965752002041700000) . After repairs, go to step 19 .
19. Are the reset procedures complete? If so, go to next step.
20. Is the fluid level satisfactory? If so, system okay. If not, go to step 1 .

CHECKING FLUID LEVEL (TRANSFER CASE)

Remove fill plug. Check oil level. If oil level is even with bottom of fill plug opening, level is okay. If level is lower than bottom of fill plug opening, add appropriate lubricant as necessary. See RECOMMENDED FLUIDS .

Manufacturer recommends Dexron-III ATF.

DRAINING & REFILLING

Note. Transmission may be equipped with a reusable oil pan gasket. Reusable oil pan gaskets are constructed of rubber with metal or plastic backing. On transmissions equipped with a reusable gasket, sealing surface of oil pan is flat. Transmissions not equipped with reusable-type gasket have a ridge on sealing surface of oil pan, and must have a new gasket every time pan is removed. Clean reusable gasket with solvent. Inspect reusable gasket for damage and replace as necessary. Using any other type of gasket in place of reusable gasket may result in fluid leaks.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove oil drain plug, if equipped. Loosen transmission oil pan bolts. (Scheme 439)or (Scheme 440). Pry pan loose and allow fluid to drain.
2. Remove oil pan, gasket, filter and drain plug seal, if equipped. Clean pan with solvent and blow dry with compressed air.
3. Install oil pan and gasket. Use NEW pan gasket if transmission is not equipped with reusable-type gasket. Tighten oil pan bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-138559-S38941260632002041700000). Fill transmission with appropriate fluid to proper level. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-138559-S20178162642002041700000) and «FLUID CAPACITIES»(ref-138559-S39503217522002041700000).

Scheme 439

Scheme 440

OIL COOLER FLUSHING

Note. Do not use solutions that contain alcohol or glycol. Use of solutions that contain alcohol or glycol may damage flushing equipment, oil cooler components and/or transmission components.

Initial Flush

1. Turn the flusher water supply valve (1) to the ON position and allow water to flow through the oil cooler and pipes for 10 seconds to remove any remaining transmission fluid. (Scheme 441) If water does not flow through the oil cooler and pipes, the cause of the blockage must be diagnosed and the plugged component must be repaired or replaced. Continue with the cooler flushing and flow check procedure once the blockage is corrected.
2. Turn the flusher water supply valve (1) to the OFF position and clip the discharge hose (5) onto an appropriate container with a lid, to avoid splashback. (Scheme 442) Turn the flusher water supply valve (1) to the ON position and depress the trigger (8) to mix cooler flushing solution into the water flow. see scheme 5 Use the clip provided on the handle to hold the trigger (8) down. The discharge will foam vigorously when the solution is introduced into the water stream.
3. Flush the oil cooler and pipes with water and solution for 2 minutes. During this flush, attach the shop air supply of 120 psi (825 kPa) to the flushing system feed air valve (2) located on the flusher for 3-5 seconds at the end of every 15-20 second interval to create a surging action.
4. Release the trigger (8) and turn the flusher water supply valve (1) to the OFF position.

Scheme 441

Scheme 442

Back Flush

1. Disconnect both hoses from the oil cooler pipes and then connect them to the opposite oil cooler pipe. This will allow the oil cooler and pipes to be back flushed. Repeat steps 2 and 3 of the INITIAL FLUSH procedure. Release the trigger (8) of the flusher and allow water only to rinse the oil cooler and pipes for one minute.
2. Turn the flusher water supply valve (1) to the OFF position and turn OFF the water supply at the faucet. Attach the shop air supply to the flushing system feed air valve (2) on the flusher, and blow out the water from the oil cooler and pipes. Continue until no water comes out of the discharge hose (5).