1993 CHEVROLET PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM oil dipstick

(3) Fabricate and fasten test probe (Fig. 5) securely
to convenient dust shield bolt hole. Make certain
torque converter is cleared by test probe. Tool must
be clean and dry.
(4) Run engine at approximately 2,500 rpm with
transaxle in neutral, for about 2 minutes. Transaxle
must be at operating temperature. (5) Stop engine and carefully remove tool.
(6) If upper surface of test probe is dry, there is no
torque converter leak. A path of fluid across probe
indicates a torque converter leak. Oil leaking under
the probe is coming from the transaxle pump area. (7) Remove transaxle and torque converter assem-
bly from vehicle for further investigation.The fluid
should be drained from the transaxle. Reinstall oil
pan (with MOPAR tAdhesive Sealant) at specified
torque. Possible sources of transaxle torque converter area
fluid leakage are: (1) Torque converter hub seal.(a) Seal lip cut, check torque converter hub fin-
ish. (b) Bushing moved and/or worn.
(c) Oil return hole in pump housing plugged or
omitted. (d) Seal worn out (high-mileage vehicles).
(2) Fluid leakage at the outside diameter from
pump housing O-ring. (3) Fluid leakage at the pump to case bolts. Check
condition of washers on bolts and use new bolts if
necessary. (4) Fluid leakage due to case or pump housing po-
rosity.
TORQUE CONVERTER LEAKAGE
Possible sources of torque converter leakage are:
² Torque converter weld leaks at the outside diame-
ter (peripheral) weld.
² Torque converter hub weld.
² Torque converter impeller shell cracked adjacent
to hub.
² At drive lug welds. Hub weld is inside and not visible. Do not
attempt to repair. Replace torque converter.
AIR PRESSURE TEST OF TRANSAXLE
Fabricate equipment needed for test as shown in
figures 6 and 7.
The transaxle should be prepared for pressure test as
follows after removal of the torque converter: (1) Install a dipstick bore plug and plug oil cooler
line fitting (lower fitting). (2) With rotary motion, install converter hub seal
cup over input shaft. It must go through the converter
hub seal until the cup bottoms against the pump gear
lugs. Before use, inspect hub seal cup (Fig. 6) for nicks
or burrs that could damage seal. Secure with cup
retainer strap (Fig. 7) using starter upper hole and
opposite bracket hole. (3) Attach and clamp hose from nozzle of Tool C-4080
to the upper cooler line fitting position in case.
CAUTION: Do not, under any circumstances, pressur-
ize a transaxle to more than 10 psi. (4) Pressurize the transaxle using Tool C-4080 until
the pressure gauge reads 8 psi. Position transaxle
Fig. 5 Leak Locating Test Probe Tool
Fig. 6 Torque Converter Hub Seal Cup
Fig. 7 Hub Seal Cup Retaining Strap
Ä TRANSAXLE 21 - 45

If equipped, unplug torque converter clutch
plug, located near the dipstick.
CAUTION: Raise vehicle. Remove front wheels. Refer
to Suspension, Group 2 to remove or install wheel
hub nut and both drive shafts. Remove torque converter dust cover. Mark
torque converter and drive plate with chalk, for
reassembly. Remove torque converter mounting
bolts.
Fig. 1 Remove Upper and Lower Oil Cooler Hoses
Fig. 2 Engine Support Fixture
Fig. 3 Remove Bell Housing Upper Bolts
Fig. 4 Remove or Install Left Splash Shield
Fig. 5 Remove or Install Access Plug in Right Splash Shield to Rotate Engine Crankshaft
Fig. 6 Remove or Install Wire to Neutral/Park Safety Switch
Ä TRANSAXLE 21 - 49

FLUID LEVEL AND CONDITION
The transmission and differential sump have a
common oil sump with a communicating opening
between the two. The torque converter fills in both the PPark and N
Neutral positions. Place the selector lever in PPark to
check the fluid level. The engine should be running
at idle speed for at least one minute, with the
vehicle on level ground. This will assure com-
plete oil level stabilization between differential
and transmission. The fluid should be at normal
operating temperature (approximately 82 C. or 180 F.).
The fluid level is correct if it is in the HOTregion
(cross-hatched area) on the oil level indicator. Low fluid level can cause a variety of conditions
because it allows the pump to take in air along with the
fluid. As in any hydraulic system, air bubbles make the
fluid spongy, therefore, pressures will be low and build
up slowly. Improper filling can also raise the fluid level too
high. When the transaxle has too much fluid, the gears
churn up foam and cause the same conditions which
occur with a low fluid level. In either case, the air bubbles can cause over heat-
ing, fluid oxidation, and varnishing, which can inter-
fere with normal valve, clutch, and accumulator opera-
tion. Foaming can also result in fluid escaping from the
transaxle vent where it may be mistaken for a leak. Along with fluid level, it is important to check the
condition of the fluid. When the fluid smells burned,
and is contaminated with metal or friction material
particles, a complete transaxle overhaul is needed. Be
sure to examine the fluid on the dipstick closely. If
there is any doubt about its condition, drain out a
sample for a double check. After the fluid has been checked, seat the dipstick
fully to seal out water and dirt.
SELECTION OF LUBRICANT
It is important that the proper lubricant be used in
the 41TE transaxle. MOPAR tATF PLUS (Automatic
Transmission FluidÐtype 7176) should be used to aid
in assuring optimum transmission performance. Flu-
ids of the type labeled DEXRON II Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid are not recommended . DEXRON II
can be used only if the recommended fluid is not
available. If more than a small amount of DEXRON II
is used shudder or shift quality problems may result. It
is important that the transmission fluid be maintained
at the prescribed level using the recommended fluids.
SPECIAL ADDITIVES
Chrysler Corporation does not recommend the addi-
tion of any fluids to the transaxle, other than the
automatic transmission fluid listed above. An excep- tion to this policy is the use of special dyes to aid in
detecting fluid leaks. The use of transmission sealers
should be avoided, since they may adversely affect
seals.
FLUID AND FILTER CHANGES
When the factory fill fluid is changed, only fluids
labeled MOPAR tATF PLUS (Automatic Transmis-
sion fluid) Type 7176 should be used. A filter change
should be made at the time of the oil change. Also
the magnet (on the inside of the oil pan) should be
cleaned with a clean, dry cloth. If the transaxle is disassembled for any reason, the
fluid and filter should be changed.
FLUID DRAIN AND REFILL
(1) Raise vehicle on a hoist (See Lubrication,
Group 0). Place a drain container with a large open-
ing, under transaxle oil pan. (2) Loosen pan bolts and tap the pan at one corner
to break it loose allowing fluid to drain, then remove
the oil pan. (3) Install a new filter and O-ring on bottom of the
valve body. (4) Clean the oil pan and magnet. Reinstall pan
using new MOPAR tAdhesive Sealant. Tighten oil
pan bolts to 19 N Im (165 in. lbs.).
(5) Pour four quarts of MOPAR tATF PLUS (Au-
tomatic Transmission Fluid) Type 7176 through the
fill tube. (6) Start engine and allow to idle for at least one
minute. Then, with parking and service brakes ap-
plied, move selector lever momentarily to each posi-
tion, ending in the park or neutral position. (7) Add sufficient fluid to bring level to 1/8 inch
below the ADD mark. Recheck fluid level after transaxle is at normal op-
erating temperature. The level should be in the HOT
region (Fig. 3).
To prevent dirt from entering transaxle, make cer-
tain that dipstick is seated into the dipstick fill tube
(Fig. 4).
ROAD TEST
Prior to performing a road test, be certain that the
fluid level and condition, and control cable adjust-
ment have been checked and approved.
Fig. 3 Oil Level Indicator
Ä TRANSAXLE 21 - 93

first separator plate and watch carefully for the pis-
ton to move forward. The piston should return to its
original position after the air pressure is removed.
UNDERDRIVE CLUTCH
Because this clutch piston cannot be seen, its oper-
ation is checked by function. Air pressure is applied
to the low/reverse and the 2/4 clutches. This locks
the output shaft. Use a piece of rubber hose wrapped
around the input shaft and a pair of clamp-on pliers
to turn the input shaft. Next apply air pressure to
the underdrive clutch. The input shaft should not ro-
tate with hand torque. Release the air pressure and
confirm that the input shaft will rotate.
FLUID LEAKAGE-TORQUE CONVERTER HOUSING
AREA
(1) Check for source of leakage.
Since fluid leakage at or around the torque con-
verter area may originate from an engine oil leak,
the area should be examined closely. Factory fill
fluid is dyed red and, therefore, can be distinguished
from engine oil. (2) Prior to removing the transaxle, perform the
following checks: When leakage is determined to originate from the
transaxle, check fluid level prior to removal of the
transaxle and torque converter. High oil level can result in oil leakage out the vent
in the manual shaft. If the fluid level is high, adjust
to proper level. After performing this operation, inspect for leak-
age. If a leak persists, perform the following opera-
tion on the vehicle to determine if it is the torque
converter or transaxle that is leaking.
LEAKAGE TEST PROBE
(1) Remove torque converter housing dust shield.
(2) Clean the inside of torque converter housing
(lower area) as dry as possible. A solvent spray fol-
lowed by compressed air drying is preferable. (3) Fabricate and fasten test probe (Fig. 4) securely
to convenient dust shield bolt hole. Make certain
torque converter is cleared by test probe. Tool must be
clean and dry. (4) Run engine at approximately 2,500 rpm with
transaxle in neutral, for about 2 minutes. Transaxle
must be at operating temperature. (5) Stop engine and carefully remove tool.
(6) If upper surface of test probe is dry, there is no
torque converter leak. A path of fluid across probe
indicates a torque converter leak. Oil leaking under the
probe is coming from the transaxle torque converter
area. (7) Remove transaxle and torque converter assembly
from vehicle for further investigation. The fluid should
be drained from the transaxle. Re install oil pan (with
MOPAR tAdhesive Sealant) at specified torque.
Possible sources of transaxle torque converter area
fluid leakage are: (1) Torque converter hub seal.
² Seal lip cut, check torque converter hub finish.
² Bushing moved and/or worn.
² Oil return hole in pump housing plugged or omitted.
² Seal worn out (high-mileage vehicles).
(2) Fluid leakage at the outside diameter from pump
housing O-ring. (3) Fluid leakage at the front pump to case bolts.
Check condition of washers on bolts and use new bolts,
if necessary. (4) Fluid leakage due to case or front pump housing
porosity.
TORQUE CONVERTER LEAKAGE
Possible sources of torque converter leakage are:
² Torque converter weld leaks at the out side (periph-
eral) weld.
² Torque converter hub weld.
Hub weld is inside and not visible. Do not
attempt to repair. Replace torque converter. If the torque converter must be replaced, refer
to Torque Converter Clutch Break-in Procedure
in this section. This procedure will reset the
transmission control module break-in status.
Failure to perform this procedure may cause
transaxle shutter.
AIR PRESSURE TEST OF TRANSAXLE
Fabricate equipment needed for test as shown in
Figures 5 and 6. The transaxle should be prepared for pressure test as
follows after removal of the torque converter: (1) Plug dipstick tube and plug oil cooler line fitting.
Remove vent from manual shaft and in stall a 1/8 inch
pipe plug.Fig. 4 Leak Locating Test Probe Tool
Ä TRANSAXLE 21 - 97