Transmission Fluid Checking Procedure
- Install a scan tool.
- Start the engine.
- Park the vehicle on a level surface.
- Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever from PARK to REVERSE for 10 seconds.
- Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever from REVERSE to DRIVE for 10 seconds.
- Move the shift lever back to PARK. The engine should remain running.
- Remove the plug from the center of the fluid fill lower tube. The fluid fill lower tube is located on the bottom of the unit.
- If fluid drains down as a steady stream from the opening, wait for it to stop. If fluid does not drain from the opening, add more fluid until it starts to drain as a steady stream, then stop adding fluid immediately. Allow fluid to drain until the fluid stream stops.
- Inspect the fluid color.
- Inspect the fluid for metal or other debris which may indicate transaxle damage.
- Inspect the fluid for a cloudy or milky appearance which may indicate engine coolant contamination.
- Replace the lower fill tube plug. Tighten: Tighten the plug to 11 N.m (97 lb in).
- On the scan tool, observe the Trans. Fluid Temp. and record the temperature. If the Trans. Fluid Temp. is 20°C (68°F), add 0.5 qt (0.47 liter) of fluid to the transmission. Do not remove the plug. If the Trans. Fluid Temp. is 40°C (104°F), add 0.75 qt (0.71 liter) of fluid to the transmission. Do not remove the plug. If the Trans. Fluid Temp. is 60°C (140°F), add 1 qt (0.95 liter) of fluid to the transmission. Do not remove the plug. If the Trans. Fluid Temp. is 80°C (176°F), add 1.25 qt (1.18 liters) of fluid to the transmission. Do not remove the plug.
Possible Points of Fluid Leaks
Transmission Oil Pan
- Incorrectly tightened oil pan bolts
- Improperly installed or damaged oil pan gasket
- Damaged oil pan or mounting face
- Incorrect oil pan gasket
Case Leak
- Damaged or missing fill tube seal
- Mislocated fill tube bracket
- Damaged vehicle speed sensor seal
- Damaged manual shaft seal
- Loose or damaged oil cooler connector fittings
- Worn or damaged propeller shaft oil seal
- Loose line pressure pipe plug
- Porous casting
Leak at the Torque Converter End
- Converter leak in the weld area
- Converter seal lip cut. Check the converter hub for damage
- Converter seal bushing moved forward and damaged
- Converter seal garter spring missing from the seal
- Porous casting of the transmission case or the oil pump
Leak at the Vent Pipe or the Fluid Fill Tube
- Overfilled system
- Water or coolant in the fluid The fluid will appear milky.
- Transmission case porous
- Incorrect fluid level indicator
- Plugged vent
- Drain-back holes plugged
- Mispositioned oil pump to case gasket, if equipped
Scheme 195
| Callout | Component Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Torque Converter Assembly |
| 2 | Torque Converter and Differential Housing Seal Assembly |
| 3 | Front Wheel Drive Shaft Oil Seal Assembly |
| 3 | Front Wheel Drive Shaft Oil Seal Assembly |
| 4 | Torque Converter and Differential Housing Assembly |
| 33 | Park Pawl Shaft Hole Plug |
| 41 | Manual Shift Shaft Seal Assembly |
| 52 | Transmission Fluid Fill Lower Tube |
| 54 | Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe Fitting Seal |
| 55 | Automatic Transmission Fluid Pressure Test Hole Plug |
| 61 | Automatic Transmission Vent Cap |
| 67 | Control Valve Body Cover |
| 97 | Automatic Transmission Case Cover Assembly |
| 104 | Variable Drive Pulley Opening Cover |
| 114 | Variable Driven Pulley Opening Cover |
| 200 | Control Valve Body Cover Wiring Connector Hole Seal |
Automatic Transmission Fluid Leaks
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Control valve body cover (67) | Inspect for damage. Replace the control valve body cover. Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Replacement . |
| Control valve body cover (67) bolts/screws (60) | Inspect for loose, cross - threaded, or missing bolts. Tighten or replace the bolts/screws (60). Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Replacement . |
| Control valve body cover gasket (68) | Inspect gasket for damage or misalignment. Replace the control valve body cover gasket (68). Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Replacement . |
| Control valve body assembly (72) | Inspect for porosity or damage. Replace the control valve body assembly (72). Refer to Control Valve Body Replacement . |
| Spacer with gasket plate (73) | Inspect for damage or improper sealing. Replace the spacer with gasket plate (73). Refer to Control Valve Body Replacement . |
| Control valve body bolts/screws (71, 79) | Inspect for loose, cross-threaded or missing bolts/screws. Tighten or replace the bolts/screws (71, 79). Refer to Control Valve Body Replacement . |
| Case assembly (50) | Inspect for porosity or damage. Refer to Transmission Case Inspection . Replace the case assembly (50). |
| Anaerobic seal between the case assembly (50) and the torque converter and differential housing (4) | Inspect for inadequate or too narrow seal. Apply a NEW bead of anaerobic sealant. Refer to Torque Converter and Differential Housing Installation . |
| Fluid cooler pipe fitting seal (54) | Inspect for loose, damaged or worn seal. Replace the fluid cooler pipe fitting seal (54). Refer to Oil Cooler Pipe Seals Replacement . |
| Fluid pressure test hole plug (55) | Inspect for loose, cross-threaded, or damaged plug. Replace the fluid pressure test hole plug (55). Refer to Oil Pressure Test Plug Replacement . |
| Torque converter and differential housing assembly (4) | Inspect for porosity or damage. Replace the torque converter and differential housing assembly (4). Refer to Torque Converter and Differential Housing Installation . |
| Torque converter and differential housing seal assembly (2) | Inspect for loose or damaged seal. Replace the torque converter and differential housing seal assembly (2). Refer to Torque Converter and Differential Housing Seal Replacement . |
| Front wheel drive shaft oil seal (3, 3A) | Inspect for loose or damaged seal. Replace the front wheel drive shaft oil seal (3, 3A). Refer to Drive Axle Shaft Seal Replacement (FWD Right) or Drive Axle Shaft Seal Replacement (AWD Right) . |
| Case cover assembly (97) | Inspect for porosity or damage. Replace the case cover assembly (97). Refer to Case Cover Assembly Removal . |
| Case cover bolts/screws (108) | Inspect for loose, cross-threaded, or stripped bolts/screws. Tighten or replace the required bolts. Refer to Case Cover Assembly Removal . |
| Anaerobic seal between the case cover assembly (97) and the case assembly (50) | Inspect for inadequate or narrow seal. Apply a NEW bead of anaerobic sealant. Refer to Case Cover Assembly Installation . |
| Drive/driven pulley opening covers (104, 114) | Inspect for porosity or damage. Replace the drive/driven pulley opening covers (104, 114). Refer to Variable Drive Cover Replacement . |
| Drive/driven pulley opening cover seals (98, 102, 109, 113) | Inspect for cut, damaged or leaking seals. Replace the drive/driven pulley opening cover seals (98, 102, 109, 113). Refer to Variable Drive Cover Replacement . |
| Manual shift shaft seal assembly (41) | Inspect for loose, cocked or damaged seal. Replace the manual shift shaft seal assembly (41). Refer to Manual Shift Shaft and Parking System Components Removal . |
| Torque converter (1) | Inspect for damage. Replace the torque converter (1). Refer to Torque Converter Assembly Removal . |
Automatic Transmission Fluid Leaks
Whine Noise Varying with RPM or Fluid Pressure
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Transmission fluid pump assembly (23) | Inspect the component for air ingestion or damage - causing low or no pressure at the discharge port. Replace the transmission fluid pump assembly (23). Refer to Fluid Pump Removal . |
Whine Noise Varying with RPM or Fluid Pressure