If there’s a single word that causes the hearts in both customers and shops to sink it would have to be transmission. Customers hear the word and immediately believe they’re looking at a repair that will cost thousands of dollars, possibly forcing their rides to be totaled out. Many shops begin thinking where they can send the vehicle for a quick repair that won’t grossly affect cycle times. They too worry that the vehicle must be totaled, costing them a job.
The fact of the matter is there is plenty of transmission work that can be completed by most shops that is far more common and won’t break the repair budget for any vehicle. Read on with these instructions from GM describing repairs to a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. As always, please download the full OEM instructions for every repair and train whenever possible.
Transmission Control Lever Knob Replacement
Removal Procedure
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission control into Reverse position.
Note: The transmission control lever boot snaps to the lever boot bezel in four locations (arrows): two on the passenger side, one on the driver side, and one on the front side.
3. Unclip the transmission control lever boot from the lever boot bezel using a flat bladed tool.
4. Pull the lever boot up to gain access to the electrical connector.
5. Disconnect the Electrical Connector:
Detach the transmission control lever boot from the transmission control lever knob.
1. Pull the transmission control lever boot over the transmission control lever knob to gain access to the upper boot ring.
2. Press the upper boot ring to disengage the snaps.
3. Push the upper boot ring along with the lever boot down.
4. Guide the wiring harness upwards out of the upper boot ring.
Note: Press the button while sliding the lever knob extension downwards.
6. Detach the transmission control lever knob extension from the lever knob with a flat bladed tool, then slide the lever knob extension downwards.
Note: The graphic is shown without the transmission control lever knob extension for clarity.
7. Position the Wiring Harness to the side:
1. Detach the wiring harness from the 2 holders.
2. Guide the wiring harness upwards out the bottom hole of the transmission control lever knob extension.
8. Remove the transmission control lever knob retainer.
Note: This is a press fit and will require some force to pull the transmission control lever knob off. Before applying an upward force, ensure the wiring harness is free.
9. Remove the Transmission Control Lever Knob.
Installation Procedure
Install the transmission control lever knob retainer.
1. Reposition the Wiring Harness by guiding the wiring harness through the transmission control lever knob retainer.
2. Attach the transmission control lever knob extension to the lever knob.
3. Attach the transmission control lever boot to the transmission control lever knob:
a. Guide the wiring harness through the transmission control lever boot.
b. Clip the upper boot ring into the bottom of the transmission control lever knob.
Note: When installing the transmission control lever knob, a defined snap noise should be audible and a snap effect should be felt. After installation, check the retention of the transmission control lever knob by pulling it upwards with two hands and significant force in an attempt to remove it.
4. Install the Transmission Control Lever Knob
5. Shift the transmission control lever into the “P” position
6. Connect the Electrical Connector
Note: The transmission control lever boot snaps to the lever boot bezel in four locations: two on the passenger side, one on the driver side, and one on the front side. Before pushing the transmission control lever boot into the lever boot bezel, ensure proper alignment along the edges to avoid visible gaps.
7. Clip the transmission control lever boot into the lever boot bezel.
8. Release the parking brake.
Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Replacement (LTG/LYX)
Removal Procedure
1. Place a drain pan under the vehicle.
2. Remove the Battery Tray using GM’s Battery Tray Replacement document.
Note: Cover or plug all open transmission fluid cooler pipe connection points to help avoid any accidental contamination.
3. Disconnect the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe using GM’s Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Quick-Connect Fitting Disconnection and Connection document.
4. Remove the left side of the Front Wheelhouse Liner using GM’s Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement - Left Side document.
Remove the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Nut
5. Remove the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe.
6. Remove and DISCARD the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Seal.
Disconnect the electrical connector.
7. Remove the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Nut.
8. Remove the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Bolt
9. Remove the transmission fluid cooler inlet and outlet pipe from vehicle.
Install the transmission fluid cooler inlet and outlet pipe to vehicle.
Caution: Refer to GM’s Fastener Caution document.
1. Install and tighten to 10 Y (89 lb. in) the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Bolt.
2. Install and tighten to 10 Y (89 lb. in) the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Nut.
3. Connect the electrical connector.
4. Install a new Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Seal.
5. Install a new Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe.
6. Install and tighten to 22 Y (16 lb. ft) the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Nut.
7. Install the Front Wheelhouse Liner - Left Side using GM’s — Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement - Left Side document.
Connect the Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe using GM’s Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Quick-Connect Fitting Disconnection and Connection document.
Install the Battery Tray using GM’s Battery Tray Replacement document.
8. Remove the drain pan.
9. Fill and inspect the transmission fluid level. Transmission Fluid Level and Condition Check
10. Inspect for transmission fluid leaks.
Transmission Replacement (AWD)
Removal Procedure
1. Remove the battery tray. See GM’s Battery Tray Replacement documentation.
2. Remove the transmission range select lever cable from the transmission, then position out of the way.
3. Drain the transmission fluid, if necessary. See GM’s Transmission Fluid Drain and Fill documentation.
4. Disconnect the control valve body transmission control module (TCM) electrical connector then unclip the connector from the transmission.
5. Remove the water pump fastener; then position the water pump out of the way.
6. Remove the transmission fluid cooler inlet and outlet hoses from the transmission, then position the hoses out of the way. See GM’s Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Replacement document.
7. Plug and/or cap the hose and transmission to prevent contamination.
8. Remove the upper transmission to engine bolts.
9. Remove the drivetrain and front suspension cradle. See GM’s Drivetrain and Front Suspension Cradle Replacement document.
10. Remove the warm up three-way catalytic converter from the engine. See GM’s Warm Up Three-Way Catalytic Converter Replacement document.
11. Disconnect the wheel drive shafts from the transmission. See GM’s Front Wheel Drive Half Shaft Replacement - Left Side document.
12. Remove the power transfer unit case. See GM’s Power Transfer Unit Case Replacement document.
13. Remove the transmission mount strut from the transmission. See GM’s Transmission Mount Strut Replacement document.
14. Remove the starter. See GM’s Starter Replacement document.
15. Mark the relationship of the flywheel to the torque converter for reassembly.
16. Remove the torque converter to flywheel bolts.
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Install the engine support fixture.
· For 1.5L RPO LYX engine, see GM’s Engine Support Fixture document.
· For 2.0L RPO LTG engine see GM’s Engine Support Fixture document.
19. Remove the three left transmission mount bolts from the transmission. See GM’s Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side document.
20. Lower the transmission side with the support fixture to allow clearance for removal.
21. Unclip the engine wiring harness from the transmission.
22. Raise the vehicle.
23. Use a transmission jack in order to support the transmission. Remove the front transmission fasteners.
24. Remove the catalytic converter bracket assembly. Remove the lower transmission fasteners.
25. Remove the torque converter cover.
Note: Ensure the torque converter remains securely in place on the transmission input shaft while separating and removing the transmission.
26. Separate the transmission from the engine.
27. Lower the transmission with the transmission jack far enough to remove the transmission.
1. Raise the transmission with the transmission jack and position the transmission to the engine.
2. Install the torque converter cover.
Caution: Refer to GM’s Fastener Caution document
3. Install the transmission bolts and tighten to 58 Y (43 lb. ft).
4. Install the catalytic converter bracket assembly.
5. Install the front transmission bolt and nut and tighten to 58 Y (43 lb. ft).
6. Install the warm up three-way catalytic converter to the engine .Refer to GM’s Warm Up Three-Way Catalytic Converter Replacement document.
7. Remove the transmission jack.
Note: If reusing the torque converter bolts, clean the threads and apply threadlocker to the threads prior to installation. Refer to GM’s Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers document for the recommended threadlock material.
8. Install the torque converter to flywheel bolts and tighten to 60 Y (44 lb. ft).
9. Install the starter. See GM’s Starter Replacement document.
10. Install the transmission mount strut to the transmission. See GM’s Transmission Mount Strut Replacement
11. Install the left transmission mount to the transmission. See GM’s Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side document.
12. Install the wheel drive shafts to the transmission. See GM’s Front Wheel Drive Half Shaft Replacement - Left Side document.
13. Install the drivetrain and front suspension cradle. See GM’s Drivetrain and Front Suspension Cradle Replacement document.
14. Install the power transfer unit case. See GM’s Power Transfer Unit Case Replacement document.
Install the upper transmission to engine bolt and tighten to 58 Y (43 lb. ft).
15. Remove the engine support fixture. Position the water pump; then install the water pump fastener and tighten to 9 Y (80 lb. in).
16. Install the transmission fluid cooler inlet and outlet hoses to the transmission. See GM’s Transmission Fluid Cooler Inlet and Outlet Pipe Replacement document.
17. Connect the control valve body TCM electrical connector.
18. Install the transmission range select lever cable and bracket on the transmission.
19. Install the battery tray. See GM’s Battery Tray Replacement document.
20. Adjust the automatic transmission range selector lever cable. See GM’s Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment document.
21. Fill the transmission with fluid.
22. If a NEW TCM has been installed into the vehicle, the NEW module needs to be reprogrammed. See GM’s Service Programming System (SPS) document.
Note: The Transmission Adaptive Values Learn procedure must be performed when one of the following repairs have been made to the vehicle. Failure to perform the procedure after one of the following repairs may result in poor transmission performance, as well as transmission DTCs being set:
· Transmission internal service/overhaul
· Valve body repair or replacement
· Control solenoid valve assembly replacement
· TCM software/calibration update
· Any service in response to a shift quality concern
23. Perform the Transmission Adaptive Values Learn procedure. See GM’s Transmission Adaptive Values Learn document.
24. Road test the vehicle.
