NEW PRODUCT INFORMATION PRODUCTION CHANGES 440-T4

1988 CUTLASS CIERA, CUTLASS SUPREME, DELTA 88, NINETY-EIGHT, TORONADO AND TOURING SEDAN MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THM 440-T4 (ME9) TRANSAXLE

BULLETIN COVERS:

New Product Information on all 1988 model THM 440-T4 transaxles. The information contained in this bulletin describes changes that occurred at the start of production (SOP) for 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles. Refer to each section of this bulletin for specific product change information.

DATE OF PRODUCTION CHANGE:

At the start of production, 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles were produced with the product changes listed in this bulletin.

SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE:

Refer to the Transaxle Hydraulic Diagnosis and Transaxle Unit Repair Sections in your 1988 Chassis Service Manual for changes shown in this bulletin.

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS: SUBJECT: ----------------------- -------- 1988 THM 440-T4 (ME9) New Manual Shaft

TRANSAXLE MODELS: VEHICLE APPLICATIONS: ----------------- --------------------- All Cutlass Ciera, Cutlass Supreme, Delta 88, Ninety-Eight, Toronado and Touring Sedan

CHANGE TO ASSEMBLY COMPONENT: (Figure 1) ---------------------------------------- A new manual shaft (702) that is 7 mm (.276") longer is used on all 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles. This longer manual shaft was first used on two 1987 model THM 440-T4 transaxles (7ADH, 7AHH) and is not interchangeable with the shorter manual shaft.

SERVICE ACTION:

When servicing a 1987 or 1988 model THM 440-T4 transaxle use the proper manual shaft as listed in the service parts information section on page 2.

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:

Part Number Description Model Year Usage ----------- ----------- ---------------- 8646946 Package, Manual Shaft and Seal 1988-All Models (1) Shaft, Manual 1987-7ADH, 7AHH Models Only (1) Seal, Manual Shaft

8644923 Package, Manual Shaft and Seal 1987-All Models Except 7ADH,7AHH (1) Shaft, Manual (1) Shaft, Manual Shaft

SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE:

This product change does not affect diagnosis, assembly or assembly procedures for 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles and is not shown in the 1988 THM 440-T4 Unit Repair Section of your service manual.

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS: SUBJECT: ----------------------- -------- 1988 THM 44O-T4 (ME9) New Reverse Reaction Drum

TRANSAXLE MODELS: VEHICLE APPLICATIONS: ----------------- --------------------- All Cutlass Ciera, Cutlass Supreme, Delta 88, Ninety-Eight,Toronado and Touring Sedan

CHANGE TO ASSEMBLY COMPONENT: (Figure 2) ----------------------------- A new reverse reaction drum (659) for all 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles. The change to the reverse reaction drum is identified by a chamfer on both ends of the drum.

SERVICE ACTION:

When servicing a 1987 or 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxle the new reverse reaction drum (659) may be used. When servicing a 1984 through 1986 THM 440-T4 transaxle you must use the previous reverse reaction drum as shown in the service parts information section on page 3.

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:

Part Number Description Model Year - Model Usage ----------- ----------- ------------------------ 8661092 Drum, Reverse Reaction 1987-1988 - All Models

8656612 Drum, Reverse Reaction 1984-1986 - All Models

SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE:

This product change does not affect diagnosis, disassembly or assembly procedures for 1988 THM 44O-T4 transaxles and is not shown in the 1988 THM 44O-T4 Unit Repair Section for your service manual.

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS: SUBJECT: ----------------------- -------- 1988 THM 440-T4 (ME9) New 3rd Clutch Wave Plate

TRANSAXLE MODELS: VEHICLE APPLICATIONS: ----------------- --------------------- AAH, ABH, AFH, ANH, ATH, CFH, CMH, Cutlass Ciera, Cutlass Supreme Models CRH, CTH, CWH, CXH Equipped With 2.8L (LB6) Engine

CHANGE OF ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS: (Figure 3) ----------------------------------------- A new 3rd clutch plate (640A), waved instead of a flat steel plate, is used in some 1988 Cutlass Ciera and Cutlass Supreme models equipped with a 2.8L engine and a THM 440-T4 transaxle. All other 1988 model transaxles continue to use the previous design flat steel plate as part of the assembly. The new 3rd clutch plate (waved) cushions the apply of the 3rd clutch.

SERVICE ACTION:

When servicing the 3rd clutch assembly on the following 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxle models: AAH, ABH, AFH, ANH, ATH, CFH, CMH, CRH, CTH, CWH, CXH, use the 3rd clutch plate (waved) listed in the service parts information section below. This new plate must not be used to service prior model year transaxles.

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:

Part Number Description

8656645 Plate, 3rd Clutch (Waved)

SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE:

This product change information is shown in the THM 440-T4 Automatic Transaxle Unit Repair

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS: SUBJECT: ----------------------- -------- 1988 THM 440-T4 (ME9) New 2nd Clutch Switch

TRANSAXLE MODELS: VEHICLE APPLICATIONS: ----------------- --------------------- BJH, BKH, BRH, BTH, BYH Delta 88, Ninety-Eight, Toronado and Touring Sedan Models With 3800 Engines

CHANGE TO ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS: (Figure 4) ----------------------------------------- A new 2nd clutch switch (normally closed switch) with a new wiring harness assembly (48) for some 1988 models equipped with a 3800 engine and THM 440-T4 transaxle. When the transaxle shifts into second gear, the switch "opens" to signal the electronic control module (ECM).

SERVICE ACTION:

When servicing a 1988 BJH, BKH, BRH, BTH or BYH model THM 440-T4 transaxle, only use the new wiring harness assembly and pressure switch assembly listed in the service parts information section below. Also note in the wiring diagram (Figure 10) that a five pin electrical connector is used on these models.

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:

Part Number Description

8658040 Switch Assembly, Pressure (2nd Clutch)

8662852 Harness Assembly, Wiring

SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE:

This product change information is shown in the THM 440-T4 Automatic Transaxle Hydraulic Diagnosis Section of your 1988 Chassis Service Manual.

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS: SUBJECT: ----------------------- -------- 1988 THM 440-T4 (ME9) New Inside Detent Lever With New Manual Detent Spring and Roller Assembly

TRANSAXLE MODELS: VEHICLE APPLICATIONS: ----------------- --------------------- CRH,CTH 1988 Cutlass Supreme

CHANGE TO ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS: (Figure 10) ----------------------------------------- A new inside detent lever (704) to be used with a new manual detent spring and roller assembly (707). The change to these components allows for smoother gear selection in Cutlass Supremes.

SERVICE ACTION:

When servicing a 1988 CRH or CTH model THM 440-T4 transaxle, only use the new parts as listed in the service parts information section below. DO NOT use these components on other model THM 440-T4 transaxles or a misbuild will occur.

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:

Part Number Description Model Year - Model Usage 8662925 Package, Manual Valve Lever 1988 - CRH, CTH Models (Cutlass and Link Supreme Models Only)

8662737 Spring and Roller Assembly 1988 - CRH, CTH Models (Cutlass Manual Detent Supreme Models Only)

SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE:

This product change does not affect diagnosis, disassembly or assembly procedures for 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles and is not shown in the 1988 THM 440-T4 Unit Repair Section of your Chassis Service Manual.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.