GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 37096 Flywheel Holder

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 911145  Size: SH
  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.
  2. Remove the air cleaner intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.8L.
  3. Disconnect the transaxle wiring harness electrical connector (4).
  4. Remove the wiring harness ground nut (3) from the transaxle.
  5. Remove the wiring harness grounds (1,2) from the transaxle.
  6. Remove the wiring harness ground bolt (6) from the transaxle.
  7. Remove the wiring harness grounds (5) from the transaxle.
  8. Remove the wiring harness bracket bolt (7) and reposition the wiring harness.

  9. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  10. Remove the range selector cable from the transaxle shift lever.
  11. Remove the range selector retainer from the cable.

  12. Object Number: 629687  Size: SH
  13. Remove the range selector cable from the transaxle.

  14. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  15. Remove the upper transaxle bolts (3,4,5) and the stud (2).
  16. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L
  17. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  18. Remove the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  19. Remove the left and the right engine splash shields. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  20. Remove the frame from the vehicle. Refer to Frame Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
  21. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.

  22. Object Number: 309963  Size: SH
  23. Install J 37096 in order to gain access to the torque converter bolts and to prevent the flywheel from turning.

  24. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  25. Remove the torque converter bolts.
  26. Remove the oil cooler pipes from the transaxle. Refer to Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Hose Replacement .
  27. Important: Position and secure the wheel drive shafts out of the way.

  28. Remove the left and the right wheel drive shafts from the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  29. Secure the drive shafts to the steering knuckles.
  30. Disconnect the electrical connector from the vehicle speed sensor.
  31. Important: Ensure that the transmission jack is properly secured to the transaxle.

  32. Position a transmission jack under the transaxle and secure the jack firmly to the transaxle.
  33. Remove the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  34. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  35. Remove the lower transaxle bolt (6) and the stud (1).
  36. Remove the transaxle from the vehicle.
  37. Transfer all necessary parts as needed.
  38. Flush the transmission cooler and lines. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test .

Installation Procedure

    Important: Ensure that the transaxle is secured properly to the transmission jack.

  1. Position the transaxle onto a transmission jack and secure the transaxle to the jack.
  2. Install the transaxle into the vehicle.
  3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  4. Install the lower transaxle bolt (6) and the stud (1).
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and the stud to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  6. Install the transaxle brace. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement .

  7. Object Number: 309963  Size: SH
  8. Install J 37096 in order to gain access to install the torque converter bolts and to prevent the flywheel from turning.

  9. Object Number: 160984  Size: SH
  10. Install the torque converter bolts.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).

  12. Install the wheel drive shafts into the transaxle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  13. Install the oil cooler pipes to the transaxle. Refer to Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Hose Replacement .
  14. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  15. Remove the transmission jack from the transaxle.
  16. Install the frame to the vehicle. Refer to Frame Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
  17. Connect the electrical connector to the vehicle speed sensor.
  18. Install the left and the right engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  19. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  20. Lower the vehicle.
  21. Remove the engine support fixture.

  22. Object Number: 160965  Size: SH
  23. Install the upper transaxle bolts (3,4,5) and the stud (2).
  24. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts and the stud to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).


    Object Number: 629687  Size: SH
  25. Install the cable to the transaxle range selector cable bracket.

  26. Object Number: 629690  Size: SH
  27. Install the A/T range selector cable retainer to the cable.
  28. Install the transaxle range selector cable to the transaxle shift lever.

  29. Object Number: 911145  Size: SH
  30. Reposition the wiring harness and install the wiring harness bracket and the bolt (7).
  31. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  32. Install the wiring harness grounds (5) to the transaxle.
  33. Install the transaxle wiring harness ground bolt (6) to the transaxle.
  34. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  35. Install the wiring harness grounds (1,2) to the transaxle.
  36. Install the wiring harness ground nut (3) to the transaxle.
  37. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 45 N·m (33 lb ft).

  38. Connect the transaxle wiring harness electrical connector (4).
  39. Install the air cleaner intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.8L.
  40. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.
  41. Notice: Refer to Transmission Overfill Notice in the Preface section.

  42. Fill the transaxle with transmission fluid.
  43. Inspect the transaxle for fluid leaks. Refer to Fluid Leak Diagnosis .
  44. Important: It is recommended that the transmission adaptive pressure (TAP) information be reset.

    Resetting the TAP values using a scan tool will erase all learned values in all cells. As a result, the ECM, PCM or TCM will need to relearn the TAP values. Transmission performance may be affected as new TAP values are learned.

  45. Reset the TAP values. Refer to Transmission Adaptive Functions .