1994 GMC SIERRA transmission

Towing From the Front
If you have a two-wheel drive vehicle, don’t have your vehicle towed on
the rear wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the rear
wheels, don’t go more than
35 mph (56 km/h) or farther than 50 miles
(80 km) or your transmission will be damaged. If these limits must be
exceeded, then the rear wheels have to be supported
on a dolly.
If your vehicle has the four-wheel drive option and
the transfer case is
engaged, a dolly must be used under the rear wheels when towing from the
front
.
5-9
ProCarManuals.com

..I . ... . ;. ..
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster
to provide more air to cool the engine. In most every day
driving conditions
the fan is spinning slower and clutch is not fully engaged.
This improves fuel economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing and/or high outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as
the clutch more fully engages. So you may hear an increase in
fan noise. This is normal and should not be mistaken as the transmission
slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely the cooling system functioning
properly. The fan will slow down when additional cooling is not required
and
the clutch partially disengages.
You may also hear
this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away
as
the fan clutch partially disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s UfluSual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak
out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,’’ here are a few tips
about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well
out of the traffic lane.
5-25
ProCarManuals.com

.-. -1 To remove the air
cleaner filter on
a gas
engine or a 6.5 liter
naturally aspirated
diesel,
turn the wing
nuts to the left.
Remove the cover and
change the filter.
Then, unhook the
cover retaining clips
and push the rear
of
the cover toward the
engine.
Automatic Transmission Nuid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at
a GM dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be SLIK to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
6 - 30
ProCarManuals.com

I NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system, starting
a fire. Be sure to get
an accurate reading
if you check your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
IU get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating
temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check trunsmissioltfluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (1 0°C).
If it’s colder than
50°F (lO”C), drive the vehicle in “D” (3rd Gear) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow
the hot check procedures.
To check trmzsnzissiorz jZuid cold: A cold check is made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours
or more with the engine off and is used only as a
reference. Let
the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside temperatures
are
50°F ( 10°C) or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (lO”C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during a cold check,
you must perform a hot check before adding fluid. This will give you a
more accurate reading of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in “P” (Park).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each
gear range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then,
position
the shift lever in “P’ (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
6-31
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission
fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add
only enough of the proper fluid to bring the
level up to the COLD area for a cold check or the HOT area for a hot check.
It doesn’t take much tluid, generally less than a pint. Don’t overfill. We
recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON@-111 or DEXRON@-IIE,
because fluids with that label are made especially for your automatic
transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON@-Ill or
DEXRON@-IIE is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to
Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way; then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Manual Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is changed. However,
the fluid
in your manual transmission doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a
GM dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get
a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be sure to get
an accurate reading if
you check your transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the vehicle is parked on
a level place and the transmission is cool enough for you to rest your fingers
on the transmission case.
6-33
ProCarManuals.com

When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule
to determine how
often you should
check
the fluid level
in your clutch master
cylinder reservoir and
for the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
How to check
The proper fluid should be ridded if the level does not reach the bottom of
the diaphragm when it’s
in place in the reservoir. See the instructions on the
reservoir cap.
Hydraulic Clutch Grease Fitting
If you have a five speed manual transmission with deep low (RPO MT8), a
grease fitting is located on the clutch housing for lubricating the clutch fork
ball stud. See your Maintenance Schedule for when to lubricate the clutch
housing. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index for the
proper lubricant to
use.
Be sure not to over-fill because you could damage your clutch.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change
it. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
6-35
ProCarManuals.com

Heater or A/C Control Lamp
Four Wheel Drive Indicator
rour Wheel Drive Shift Lever
Instrument Panel Compartment Lamp
Ashtray Lamp
Sunshade Vanity Mirror
"Crew Cab Only
LAMP OR BULB
INSTRUMENT PANEL
Transmission Indicator (PRNDL)
Daytime Running Lights Indicatory
Charging System Indicator Lamp
Instrument Cluster Illumination
--Gage Cluster
Instrument Cluster Illumination
-Tachometer Cluster
Headlamp Beam Indicator
Directional Signal Indicator
Brake Warning Indicator
Safety Belt Warning
Check Gages Indicator
Malfunction Indicator ("Service
Engine Soon") Lamp
Upshift Indicator
Glow Plugs Lamp*:$:
Low Coolant
Water
in Fuel Lamp*'$
Service Throttle Soon Lamp*"
194
161
194
194
I94 74
TRADE NO.
161
74
74
I94
I94 74 74
74
74 74
74
74
74
74
74
74
6
6-98
ProCarManuals.com

Explanation Of Scheduled Mainienance Services
Below are explanations of the services listed in the maintenance charts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in this section. Make sure
whoever services your vehicle uses these. All parts should be replaced and
all necessary repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
1. ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER CHANGE“‘ - ALWAYS USE
SJ3 ENERGY CONSERVING I1 (GASOLINE ENGINE) OR CF-4/SH
(DIESEL ENGINE) QUALITY OILS
OF THE PROPER VISCOSITY.
To determine the preferred viscosity oil for your vehicle’s engine (e.g.
SAE 5W-30 or 10W-30), see “Engine Oil”
in the Index.
2. CHASSIS LUBRICATION - Lubricate the front suspension, king
pin bushings, steering linkage, transmission, and transfer case shift
linkage, parking brake cable guides, rear driveline center splines and
front axle propshaft splines, brake pedal springs, and clutch pedal
springs at the intervals specified.
If you have a 3500
HD, lubricate the king pins and king pin bushings,
every
1,500 miles (2500 km) for Maintenance Schedule I, or every
3,000 (5000 km) for Maintenance Schedule 11.
Ball joints and king pin bushings should not be lubricated unless their
temperature
is 10” F (-12”C), or higher. When the weather is cold, let
them warm up before lubrication or
they could be damaged.
Also, be sure
to check all the vehicle fluid levels at this time.
3.
CLUTCH FORK BALL STUD LUBRICATION (5-SPEED
MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH DEEP LOW
) - Lubricate the
clutch fork ball stud through the fitting
on the clutch housing.
Lubricant must be added “sparingly” to
the fitting, as only .0066 lb.
(.003 kg) is required to lubricate the ball stud surface. Do not add
lubricant more often than the intervals
in the Maintenance Charts. Too
much lubricant will damage the clutch assembly.
4. COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE”’? - Drain, flush and refill system
with new coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
the proper
coolant and mixture to use
in your vehicle.
Also inspect the hoses and replace them
if they are cracked, swollen, or
deteriorated. Tighten all hose clamps (except constant tension clamps).
Remove debris and clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the radiator neck.
To ensure proper
operation, pressure test.
the radiator and cap.
* An Emission Control Service
?A fluid
loss in these systems may indicate a problem. Have them
inspected and repaired at once.
7-18
ProCarManuals.com