Preliminary Inspection
Preliminary InspectionThese items must be checked prior to beginning the diagnostic procedure:
Know/Understand the Concern
In order to diagnose a concern correctly, you must first understand the customer complaint or condition. Customer contact may be required in order for the technician to begin to verify the concern. You must also understand the conditions when the concern occurs, for example:
^ Hot or cold vehicle temperature
^ Hot or cold ambient temperature
^ Vehicle driving conditions
After understanding when and how the concern occurs, proceed to Verify the Condition.
Verify the Condition
This information must be used in both determining the actual cause of customer concerns and carrying out the appropriate procedures.
These procedures must be used when verifying customer concerns for the transmission:
Determine Customer Concern
NOTE: Some transmission conditions can cause engine concerns. An electronic pressure control short circuit can cause engine misfiring. The torque converter clutch not disengaging will stall the engine.
Determine customer concerns relative to vehicle use and dependent driving conditions, paying attention to these items:
^ Hot or cold vehicle operating temperature
^ Hot or cold ambient temperatures
^ Type of terrain
^ Vehicle loaded/unloaded
^ City/highway driving
^ Upshift
^ Downshift
^ Coasting
^ Engagement
^ Noise/vibration - check for dependencies, either rpm dependent, vehicle speed dependent, shift dependent, gear dependent, range dependent or temperature dependent
^ Vehicles equipped with power take-off (PTO), the PTO must be turned off. For a description of PTO operation, refer to Transmission Electronic Control System.
Check Fluid Level and Condition
Fluid Level Check
CAUTION: The vehicle should not be driven if the fluid level indicator shows the fluid below the DO NOT DRIVE mark or internal failure could result.
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an extended period of time at highway speeds, in city traffic, in hot weather or while pulling a trailer, the fluid needs to cool down to obtain an accurate reading.
NOTE: The transmission fluid may be checked in the cold temperature range if the ambient temperature is between 10° - 32°C (50° - 90°F). Checking the transmission fluid level using the cold range will indicate that the vehicle has sufficient transmission fluid to be driven. Adding fluid using the cold range may result in an over full condition when the vehicle reaches normal operating temperature. Fluid level must be checked while in the normal operating range of 66° - 77°C (150° - 170°F).
Under normal circumstances, the fluid level should be checked during normal maintenance. If the transmission starts to slip, shifts slowly or shows signs of leaking, the fluid level should be checked.
1. Drive the vehicle 32 Km (20 miles) or until the vehicle reaches normal operating temperatures.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake applied and your foot on the brake pedal, start the engine and move the range selector lever through all the gear ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Place the range selector lever in PARK and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the fluid level indicator and wipe it clean with a lint free cloth.
6. Install the fluid level indicator until it is fully seated into the filler tube.
7. Remove the fluid level indicator and inspect the fluid level. The fluid level should be in the designated area for normal and room temperature.
High Fluid Level
A fluid level that is too high may cause the fluid to become aerated due to the churning action of the rotating internal parts. This will cause erratic control pressure, foaming, loss of fluid from the vent tube and possible transmission malfunction or damage. If an overfill reading is indicated, refer to Transmission Fluid Drain and Refill - Without Torque Converter Drain Plug and With Fluid Pan Drain Plug.
Low Fluid Level
A low fluid level could result in poor transmission engagement, slipping, malfunction and/or damage. This could also indicate a leak in one of the transmission seals or gaskets.
Adding Fluid
CAUTION: The use of any other type of transmission fluid than specified could result in transmission malfunction and/or damage.
If fluid needs to be added, add fluid in 0.25 L (1/2 pint) increments through the filler tube. Do not overfill the fluid. For fluid type refer to the Fluid Type specification chart.
Fluid Condition Check
1. Check the fluid level.
2. Observe the color and the odor. The color under normal circumstances should be dark reddish, not brown or black or have a burnt odor.
3. Hold the fluid level indicator over a white facial tissue and allow the fluid to drop onto the facial tissue and examine the stain.
4. If evidence of solid material is found, the transmission fluid pan should be removed for further inspection.
5. If the stain is a foamy pink color, this may indicate coolant in the transmission. The engine cooling system should also be inspected at this time.
6. If fluid contamination or transmission failure is confirmed by the sediment in the bottom of the fluid pan, the transmission must be disassembled and completely cleaned. This includes the torque converter, coolers, cooler lines and remote filter.
7. Carry out diagnostic checks and adjustments. Refer to Diagnosis By Symptom. Diagnosis By Symptom