1988 PONTIAC FIERO engine oil

7A1-2 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
Pitting
FLEXPLATE/TORQUE CONVERTER VIBRATION
TEST PROCEDURE
1. Start engine
2. With engine at idle speed and the transmission in
"Park"
(P) or "Neutral" (N), observe vibration.
3. Shut off engine.
Remove or Disconnect
e Flexplate cover attaching bolts
s Flexplate to torque converter attaching
bolts
e Rotate torque converter 120 (1/3 turn)
Install
or Connect
e Flexplate to torque converter attaching
bolts
- Torque bolts to 47 N.m (35 Ibs. ft.)
s Flexplate cover bolts
- Torque bolts to 6 N-m (53 lbs. in.)
4. Start engine and check for vibration. Repeat this
procedure un
ti1 the best possible balance is
obtained.
NOTICE: Some engine/transmission
combinations cannot be balanced in this manner
due to limited clearances between the torque
converter bolts and engine. Be sure bolts do not
bottom out in lug nuts or the torque converter
cover could be dented and cause internal damage.
FLUID LEAK DIAGNOSIS
The cause of most external leaks can generally be
located and repaired with the transmission in the car.
METHODS FOR LOCATING LEAKS
General Method
s Verify that the leak is transmission fluid.
a Thoroughly clean the suspected leak area.
s Operate the car for about 15 miles or until normal
operating temperatures are reached.
e Park the car over clean paper or cardboard.
s Shut off engine and look for fluid spots on paper.
a Make necessary repairs.
Powder Method
e Thoroughly clean the suspected leak area with
solvent.
a Apply an aerosol type powder (foot powder) to
the suspected leak area.
s Operate the car for about 15 miles or until normal
operating temperatues are reached.
s Shut off engine.
e Inspect suspected leak area and trace the leak
path through the powder to find the source.
a Make necessary repairs.
Dye And Black Light Method
A fluid dye and black light kit is available from
various tool manufacturers.
s Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for
the amount of dye to be used.
a Detect the leak with the black light.
e Correct cause of leak.
REPAIRING THE LEAK
Once the leak has been pinpointed and traced
back to its source, the cause of the leak must be
determined in order for it to be repaired properly. If a
gasket is replaced, but the sealing flange is bent, the
new gasket will not repair the leak. The bent flange
must be repaired also. Before attempting to repair a
leak, check to be sure that the following conditions are
correct as they may cause a leak.
Gaskets
s Fluid level/pressure is too high.
e Plugged vent or drain-back holes.
s Improperly torqued fasteners or dirty/damaged
threads.
a Warped flanges or sealing surface.
e Scratches, burrs or other damage to the sealing
surface.
e Damaged or worn gasket.
e Cracking or porosity of the component.
s Improper sealant used (where applicable).
Seals
e Fluid level/pressure is too high.
a Plugged vent or drain-back holes.
s Damaged seal bore (scratched, burred or nicked).
e Damaged or worn seal.
e Improper installation.
a Cracks in component.
e Manual or output shaft surface scratched, nicked
or damaged.
a Loose or worn bearing causing excess seal wear.
Possible Points of Oil Leak
I. Transmission/Transmission oil pan :
Attaching bolts not correctly torqued
s Improperly installed or damaged gasket
s Oil pan or mounting face not flat
2, Case Leak :
@ Filler pipe "multi-lip seal" damaged or
missing
a Filler pipe bracket mislocated
s T.V. cable "multi-lip" seal missing,
damaged or improperly installed
a Governor cover or "0" ring damaged or
missing
@ Speedometer driven gear/speed sensor seal
damaged
e Manual shaft seal damaged
s Oil cooler connector fittings loose or
damaged

AUTOMATIC TMNSMISSION ON-VEHICLE SERVICE 7A1-3
e Propeller shaft oil seal worn or damaged
o Governor cover
e Line pressure pipe plug loose
@ Porous casting
3. Leak at converter end:
Converter seal damaged
- Seal lip cut. (Check converter hub for
damage.)
- Bushing moved forward and damaged
- Garter spring missing from seal
o Converter leak in weld area. (Refer to
Torque Converter.)
Porous casting (Case or pump)
4. Fluid comes out vent pipe or fill tube:
Over-filled
Water or coolant in fluid. Fluid will appear
milky.
e Case porous
e Incorrect fluid level indicator
e Plugged vent
e Drain back holes plugged
Mispositioned oil pump to case gasket (if
equipped)
Case Porosity Repair
1. Clean the leak area with solvent and air dry.
CAUTION: Epoxy adhesive may cause
skin irritations and eye damage. Read
and follow all information on the
container label as provided by the
manufacturer.
2. Mix a sufficient amount of epoxy adhesive,
# 1052533, or equivalent, following the
manufacturer's recommendations.
3. While the transmission case is hot, apply epoxy
adhesive with a clean, dry soldering acid brush.
4. Allow the epoxy adhesive to cure for three hours
before starting the engine.
5. Repeat fluid leak diagnosis procedures.
TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ELECTRICAL
CONTROLS
The Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) system uses
controls that are internal as well as external to the
transmission. For internal control components of the
TCC system, refer to the I-Iydraulic Diagnosis Section
for for wiring diagrams and switch locations.
The external control components of the TCC
system include:
1. Brake Release Switch - To avoid stalling the
engine when braking, the converter clutch is
released any time the brakes are applied.
2. Electronic Control ModuOe - Receives input
signals and grounds TCC solenoid to apply clutch
when proper operating conditions are met.
3. Throttle Position Sensor - Sends throttle
position information to Electronic Control
Module.
4. Vacuum Sensor - Sends engine vacuum (load)
information to Electronic Control Module.
5. Vehicie Speed Sensor - Sends vehicle speed
information to Electronic Control Module.
6. Coolant Temperature Sensor - Sends engine
coolant temperature information to Electronic
Control Module.
TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH DIAGNOSIS
To properly diagnose the Torque Converter
Clutch (TCC) system perform all electrical testing first
and then the hydraulic testing. Refer to the appropriate
Driveability and Emissions Section (6E) for additional
Torque Converter Clutch Information
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
SI-IIFT CONTROL CABLE
Remove or Disconnect (Fig. 1)
1. Negative battery cable.
2. Raise car, see Section OA.
3. Cable attachments at transmission.
4. Lower car.
5. Console, see Section
8C.
6. Cable at control lever and base.
7. Cable from floor.
install or Connect
1. Cable to floor.
2. Cable at base and control lever.
3. Console, see Section 8C.
4. Place control lever in "NEUTRAL"
5. Raise car.
6. Cable attachments at transmission.
7. Adjust cable.
8. Lower car.
9. Negative battery cable.
Adjust (Fig. 1)
1. Place control lever in "N" (Neutral).
2. Raise car, see Section 0.4.
3. Loosen cable
attachment at shift lever.
4. Rotate shift lever "clockwise" to park detent and
then back to neutral.
5. Tighten cable attachment.
15
N-m (11 lbs. ft.)
Important
Levg must be held out of "PARK" when
torquing nut.
6. Lower car.
7. Check cable adjustment by rotating control lever
thru the detents.
Remove or Disconnect (Fig. 2)
1. Negative battery cable.
2. Console, see Section 8C.
3. Cable at control lever and base.

Fig. 3 Park Lock Cable
SWITCH
( BOLTS 2 N.m (18 LBS. IN.)
1 GAGE PIN
1 CARRIER TANG
1 TANG SLOT
1 DETENT PLATE
( PARK NOTCH
1 NEUTRAL NOTCH
1 SHIFT CONTROJLE$5t,-F
Fig. 4 Park/Neutral & Backup Lamp Switch
become broken or disconnected. If the cable is not
connected or broken, the
T.V. lifter rod will not
move from its normal position which holds the
T.V. exhaust check ball off its seat. The T. V.
lifter rod will drop down to allow the T.V.
exhaust ball to seat only if the cable is broken,
disconnected or out of adjustment. With the
transmission pan removed, pull down on the
T.V.
exhaust valve lifter rod and the spring should
return the rod to its normal up position. If the
throttle valve lever and bracket assembly or lifter
rod binds or sticks so that the
T.V. lifter rod
cannot lift the exhaust ball off its seat, high line
pressures and delayed upshifts will result. The
T.V. lifter rod must not be bent or it will not
function properly.
T.V. CABLE SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
Inspect
CAUTION: To avoid possible personal
injury and/or damage to the car,
brakes must be applied at all times
during the test.
1. Install oil pressure gage.
2. Install engine tachometer.
3. Warm up engine to proper operating
temperature.
4. Run engine at 1000 RPM.
5. Apply parking brake.
6. Place gear selector in "PARK" and note oil
pressure.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON-VEHICLE SERVICE 7A1-7
7. Place
gear selector into "DRIVE". Oil Pressure
should be equal or not more than 10 psi
(34 kPa)
higher than in "PARK".
8. Increase engine speed to 1400 RPM. If oil
pressure does not increase, adjust
T.V. cable.
Refer to T.V. Cable Adjustment.
Remove or Disconnect (Figs. 5 thru 7)
1. Air cleaner.
2. T.V. cable terminal from throttle lever.
3. Cable housing from bracket while compressing
locking tangs.
4. Routing clips or straps.
5. Raise
car, see Section OA.
6. Bolt securing T.V. cable to transmission.
o Pull up on cable cover at transmission until
cable is visible.
7. Cable from transmission link.
8. Cable seal.
Install or Connect
1. New seal into transmission case hole.
2. Transmission end of cable to T.V. link and secure
to transmission case with bolt and washer
assembly. Torque to 10
Nam (7 Ib. ft.).
3. Cable routing clips or straps.
4. Lower car.
5. Pass cable through engine bracket and engage
locking tangs of cable on bracket.
6. Avoid damaging or kinking wire cable.
7. Cable terminal to throttle lever.
Inspect
o Pull on upper end of cable. It should travel
a short distance with light resistance caused
by the small return spring on the
T.V. lever.
When releasing the upper end of the T.V.
cable, it should return to the zero T.V.
position.
Adjust
o T.V. cable. Refer to Figs. 5 thru 7.
CHANGING FLUID AND FILTER
Remove or Disconnect
1. Raise the car and support properly, see Section
OA.
2. Place drain pan under transmission oil pan.
3. Oil pan bolts from the front and sides only.
4. Loosen rear oil pan bolts approximately 4 turns.
NOTICE: Do not damage the transmission case
or oil pan sealing surfaces.
5. Lightly tap oil pan with rubber mallet or pry to
allow fluid to drain.
- Inspect fluid color
- Refer to chart in Section 7A
6. Remaining oil pan bolts, oil pan and gasket. 7. Oil filter
and o-ring
- O-ring may be stuck in the case
e Transmission case and oil pan gasket
surfaces with solvent and air dry.
- All traces of old gasket material must
be removed
Install or Connect
o Coat o-ring seal with a small amount of
petrolatum
o New o-ring onto filter
e New filter into case
a Oil pan and new gasket
e Oil pan bolts 20 N.m (15 lbs. ft.)
8. Lower car.
9. Fill transmission to proper level with
DEXRONO I1 fluid or equivalent, see Section
7A.
10. Check "Cold"
fluid level reading for initial till.
Do not overfill.
11. Follow
the "Transmission Fluid Level Checking
Procedure" in Section 7A of this Service Manual.
12. Check
oil pan gasket for leaks.
700-R4 SERVICEABLE COMPONENTS
The following parts can be serviced with the
transmission in the vehicle:
o Throttle valve control cable and/or sleeve heal
Fill tube and/or seal
o Governor assembly
a Speedometer drive and/or driven gear
e Servo assembly
a Valve body assembly, spacer plate, gaskets,
throttle lever and bracket assembly, auxiliary
valve body, TCC solenoid, switch and
wir-iug.
a Converter to flexplate bolts.
a Oil pan and/or gasket, strainer assembly and "0"
ring.
e Pressure Regular Valve.
o Rear Oil Seal.
SERVO ASSEMBLY
Remove or Disconnect (Fig. 8)
Tool Required:
J 29714-A
1. Raise car and suitably support, see Section OA.
2. Torque Arm,
see Section
3D.
3. Propeller Shaft, see Section 4A.
4. Exhaust hanger.
5. Support transmission.
6. Crossmember and transmission moulll.
7. Two
transmission oil pan bolts below servo cover.
8. Install J 29714-A on oil pan and reinstall oil pan
bolts.
9. Depress servo cover
and remove retaining ring.
10. J 29714-A.

7A1-44 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
Inspect
e Refer to the Unit Repair Section for
disassembly and inspection procedures.
Install or Connect
1. Valve body, spacer, check balls and bolts as
outlined in the Unit Repair Section.
2. New
"0" ring
seal and oil filter.
- Coat "0" ring seal with petrolatum.
3. New gasket, oil pan and bolts.
- 20 N.m (15 lbs. ft.)
4. Lower car.
5. Fill
transmission to proper level with Dexron
I1
fluid or equivalent, see Section 7A.
Adjust
e T.V. cable, see Figs. 5 thru 7.
REAR OIL SEAL
Remove or Disconnect
Tool Required:
J 21426 Seal Installer
1. Raise car and suitably support, see Section OA.
2. Propeller shaft, see Section 4A.
3. Pry out lip seal with a suitable tool.
Install or Connect
I. Coat outer casing of new lip oil seal with
non-hardening sealer and tap in place with
J
2 1426.
2. Propeller
shaft, see Section 4A.
3. Lower car.
Adjust
e Transmission fluid level.
- Dexron 11 Automatic Transmission Fluid
OIL COOLER LINES AND/OR FITTINGS
Figs. 13 and 14
If replacement of transmission cooler lines is
required, use only double wrapped and brazed steel
tubing meeting
GM specification 123M or equivalent.
Tubing should be double flared.
NOTICE: Allow sufficient clearance around
cooler lines to prevent damage or wear which may
cause fluid loss.
OIL COOLER FLUSHING
Tools Required:
J 35944 Cooler Flushing Tool
J 35944-20 Flushing Solution
Water Supply
Air Supply (with water and oil fil-
ter)
Oil Drain Container
5 Gallon Pail
1. Remove the fill cap on J 35944 and fill with .6
liters (20-21 ounces) of J 35944-20 flushing
solution.
@ Do not over fill
@ Follow manufacture's suggested proce-
dures for solution handling.
Replace cap on
J 35944 and pressurize it to 550-
700
kPa (80-100 psi).
Connect
J 35944 to the transaxle end of the oil
cooler pipe that feeds the BOTTOM fitting of
the oil cooler.
Connect the discharge hose to the TOP oil
cooler pipe and clip the discharge hose to the oil
drain container.
With the water valve on
J 35944 in the "off'
position, connect the water supply to the tool.
Turn the water valve off.
Flush the transaxle fluid by opening the water
valve to the "on" position for about 10 seconds.
Important
@ If water does not flow thru the cooler the
system is completely plugged. Do not
complete the flushing procedure. Replace
the cooler
and/or the cooler pipes as
required.
8. Close the water valve and clip the discharge
hose to the 5 gallon pail. Cover the pail with a
shop towel to prevent splash.
9. Turn the water valve to
the
"on" positon and
depress the trigger to mix flushing solution into
the water flow. Use the bail clip provided to
hold the trigger down.
10. Flush the
cooler with water and solution for 2
minutes. During this flush, attach the air supply
to the air valve located on the tool, for 3 to 5
seconds every 15-20 seconds. This will create a
surging action to ensure complete cleaning.
11. Release the trigger and turn the water valve off.
12. Disconnect both hoses from the oil cooler pipes.
13. Reconnect the hoses to the pipes opposite the
initial flush to preform a backflush.
14. Repeat steps 9 and 10
15. Release the trigger and allow water to rinse
for
one minute.
16. Turn the water valve off.
17. Attatch the air supply to the air valve and dry the
system out with air until no moisture is seen
leaving the discharge hose.
18. Connect the Cooler Feed Pipe to the transaxle.
19. Clip the discharge hose to the oil drain con-
tainer.
20. After filling the transaxle with
fluid,
start the
engine and run for 30 seconds. This will remove
any residual
moistrue from the oil cooler. A
minimum of 2 quarts of fluid should flow during
the 30 second period. If fluid flow is sufficient,
check the fluid flow by disconnecting the feed

7Al-16 AUWBMATIC TWANSMIS810N ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
line at the cooler and observe the flow with the
engine running.
@ Insufficient flow: inspect cooler pipes, fit- 5.
tings and repeat cooler flushing proce-
dure. If the flow is still insufficient,
replace the cooler.
21. Remove the discharge hose and reconnect the
cooler pipe. Adjust fluid level as needed. 7.
8.
9.
TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY 10.
Figs. 73 tkru 1 7
A pressure test should be performed before
transmission removal to aid in diagnosis.
Tools Required:
J 21366 Torque Converter Holding Fixture
Remove or Disconnect
1. Negative battery cable.
2. Air cleaner.
3. T.V.
cable at throttle lever.
4. Transmission fluid level indicator.
5. Raise
car and suitably support, see Section
OA.
6. Speedometer cable.
7. Shift control cable.
8. Electrical leads at transmission.
9. Flexplate cover.
e Mark flywheel to torque converter.
10. Torque converter bolts.
11. Torque arm, see Section 3D.
12. Propeller shaft, see Section
48.
13. Support transmission.
14. Crossmember and mount bolts.
15. Oil cooler pipes at transmission.
16. T.V. cable at transmission.
17. Transmission to engine bolts.
18. Transmission.
a Install J 21366 and remove transmission.
Clean
Transmission oil cooler and lines
should be Flushed with
J35944 or
equivalent whenever the transmission
has
been removed for overhaul or re-
placement of the torque converter,
pump or case.
Install or Connect
1. Attach transmission jack.
2. Raise transmission.
- Remove J 21 366
3. Transmission to engine bolts.
- 44N.m(35 Ibs. ft.)
4. Crossmember, mount and bolts.
- Crossmember to body.
- 54 N .m (40 lbs. ft.)
- Mount to crossmember.
- 44 W-m (35 lbs. ft.)
- Mount to transmission.
- 54 N-m (40 Ibs. ft.)
Torque converter to flexplate bolts.
- 47 N-m (35 lbs, ft.)
- Align marks made during disassembly,
- Flexplate cover.
Oil cooler lines.
T.V. cable.
Electrical leads at transmission.
Speedometer cable.
Shift control cable.
11. Propeller shaft, see Section 4A.
12. Torque arm, see Section 3D.
13. Lower car.
14.
T.V. cable at throttle lever.
15. Negative battery cable.
16. Air cleaner.
Fig. 15 Converter to Flexplate
Fig.
16 Trans. to Engine

5-SPEED 77MM TRANSMISSION 7B-3
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
SHlR CONTROL LEVER
Remove or Disconnect
1. Screws from transmission shift lever boot
retainer and slide boot up lever.
2. Shift lever attaching bolts at transmission and
remove lever.
NOTICE: The upper lever is no longer threaded
to the lower lever. The levers are bonded
together. Separation of the levers will damage the
shifter requiring replacement of the shifter
assembly.
Install or Conned
1. Shift lever and attaching bolts to transmission.
2. Shift lever boot, boot retainer and retainer
screws to transmission.
~ibure 2
Remove or Disconnect
1. Negative cable at battery.
2. Shift lever attaching bolts from transmission.
NOTICE: The upper lever is no longer threaded
to the lower lever. The levers are bonded
together. Separation of the levers will damage the
shifter requiring replacement of the shifter
assembly.
3. Raise vehicle.
4. Torque arm. (See Section 3D)
5. Propeller shaft. (See Section 4A)
6. Speedometer cable at transmission.
7. Electrical connection at transmission.
8. Support transmission with suitable jack stand.
9. Transmission mount attaching bolts.
10. Catalytic converter hanger.
Figure 2 Transmission To Engine Attachment
11. Crossmember attaching bolts.
12. Crossmember.
13. Dust cover bolts.
14. Transmission to engine attaching bolts.
15. Transmission.
NOTICE: Inspection of clutch components
should be made after transmission removal. If the
clutch requires repair, see section 7C before
transmission is reinstalled.
Install or Connect
Transmission.
Transmission to engine attaching bolts.
Dust cover bolts.
Crossmember
Crossmember attaching bolts.
Catalytic converter hanger.
Transmission mount attaching bolts.
Remove jack stand supporting transmission.
Electrical connection to transmission. Speedometer cable to transmission.
Propeller shaft. (See Section
4A)
Torque arm. (See Section 3D)
Lower vehicle.
Shift lever attaching bolts to transmission.
Negative cable to battery.
EXTENSlOM HOUSING OIL SEAL
Figure 3
Remove or Disconnect
1 . Raise vehicle.
2. Propeller shaft. (See Section 4A)
3. Pry seal out of extension housing using a
screwdriver.
Figure 3 Extension Housing Oil Seal

CLUTCH 7C-5
Grabbing (Chattering)
Rattling
- Transmission
Click
Release Bearing Noise
with Clutch Fully
Engaged
Noisy
Pedal Stays on Floor
When Disengaged heated.
a. Oil
on facing. Burned
or glazed facings.
b. Worn splines
on
clutch gear.
c. Warped pressure
plate or flywheel.
d. Burned or smeared
resin on flywheel or
pressure plate.
a. Weak retracting
springs.
b. Release fork loose
on ball stud or in bear-
ing groove.
c. Oil in driven plate
damper.
d. Driven plate damper
spring failure.
a. Release bearing bind-
ing on transmission
bearing retainer.
b. Fork improperly in-
stalled. a. Worn release bearing.
b. Fork off ball stud
(heavy clicking).
c. Pilot bearing loose
in crankshaft.
a. Bind in release
bearing.
b. Springs weak in
pressure plate. a.
Install new disc and
correct leak.
b. Replace transmission
clutch gear.
c. Replace pressure plate
or flywheel.
d. Sand off if superficial,
replace burned or heat
checked parts.
a. Replace pressure plate.
b. Check ball stud and
retaining.
c. Replace driven disc.
d. Replace driven disc.
a. Clean, relubricate,
check for burrs, nicks,
etc.
b. Install properly.
a. Replace bearing.
b. Install properly and
lubricate fork fingers
and bearing.
c. See Section
6 for
bearing fits.
Lubricate and free-up
release bearing.
b. Replace pressure
plate.
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
CLUTCH HYDRAULIC SYSTEM 7. Remove the clutch fluid reservoir from bracket.
NOTICE: The clutch hydraul~c 4ystern is serviced 8. Pull brake niaster cylinder forward for access to
as a complete unit, it has been bled
of air and filled clutch master cylinder.
with fluid. Individual components of the system 9. Remove the clutch master cylinder from cowl.
are
not available separately. 10. Hoist vehicle.
1 1. Remove the slave cvlinder heat shield.
Prior to any vehicle service that requires removal of
the slave cylinder
(i.e., transmission and clutch housing
removal), the
master cylinder push rod must be
disconnected from the clutch pedal. If not discon-
nected, permanent damage to the slave cylinder will
occur if the clutch pedal is depressed while the slave
cylinder is disconnected.
Removal
1. Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering column trim cover.
3. Remove the hush panel.
4. Discoonect the master cylinder push rod from
clutch pedal.
5. Remove the clutch master cylinder to cowl nuts.
6. Remove the brake booster to cowl nuts.
12. Remove the slave cylinder from bell housing.
13. Lower vehicle.
14. Remove the clutch hydraulic system from engine
compartment.
Installation
1. Position
hydraulic clutch master cylinder at cowl
and feed slave cylinder drown to bell housing
area.
2. Pilot clutch master cylinder push rod through
cowl and position master cylinder to cowl with
U
bolt.
3. Connect brake booster to cowl.
4. Pilot clutch master cylinder
U bolt through
clutch braces and torque nuts.
5. Torque brake master cylinder to cowl nuts.