GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Check the fluid color.

Is the fluid color red?

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 11

2

Is the fluid level satisfactory?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 3

3

Check the fluid.

Is the fluid foamy?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

4

Check the fluid level. The correct fluid level should be in the middle of the cross-hatch.

Is the level high

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 5

5

Is the fluid level satisfactory?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 6

6

Check for external leaks.

Are there any leaks present?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 20

7

Correct the fluid leak condition.

Is action complete?

Go to Step 20

 

8

Is the fluid level too high?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

Remove excess fluid to adjust to the correct fluid level.

Is action complete?

Go to Step 20

 

10

  1. Check for containments in the fluid.
  2. Drain the fluid to determine the source of contamination.

Is action complete?

Go to Step 15

 

11

Is the fluid color a non-transparent pink?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12

Replace the leaking cooler.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 15

 

13

The fluid color should be light brown. Transmission fluid may turn dark with normal use. This does not always indicate oxidation or contamination.

Is the fluid color light brown?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 1

14

Drain the fluid to determine if the fluid is contaminated. A very small amount of material in the bottom of the oil pan is a normal condition, but larger pieces of metal or other material in the bottom of the oil pan are not and the transmission requires an overhaul.

Was the fuel contaminated?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 18

15

Overhaul the transmission or fit a SRTA unit. Refer to Transmission Replacement.

Is action complete?

Go to Step 16

 

16

Flush the coolers.

Is action complete?

Go to Step 17

 

17

Add new fluid.

Is action complete?

Go to Step 19

 

18

Change the fluid and filter.

Is action complete?

Go to Step 19

 

19

Is the fluid level satisfactory? If not, correct as necessary.

Is action complete?

Go to Step 20

 

20

Refer to Functional Test Procedure, in Functional Test.

Is action complete?

Fluid Checking Procedure Completed