NEW PRODUCT INFORMATION PRODUCTION CHANGES 440-T4. Buick Electra/Park Avenue 1988

For 1990-2009 cars

# NEW PRODUCT INFORMATION PRODUCTION CHANGES 440-T4

#### MODELS AFFECTED: ALL 1988 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A T M 440-T4 (ME9) TRANSAXLE

#### BULLETIN COVERS

New Product Information on all 1988 model THM 440-T4 transaxles. The information contained in this bulletin describes changes that occurred at the Start Of Production (SOP) for 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles. Refer to each section of this bulletin for specific product change information.

#### DATE OF PRODUCTION CHANGE

At the Start of Production, 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles were produced with the product changes listed in this bulletin.

#### SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE

Refer to the Transaxle Hydraulic Diagnosis and Transaxle Unit Repair Sections in your 1988 service manual for changes shown in this bulletin. These product changes have been identified by an asterisk (*) on the table of contents page if the change affects transaxle diagnosis, disassembly, or assembly procedures.

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS SUBJECT ---------------------- ------- 1988 THM 440-T4 (ME9) New Manual Shaft

TRANSAXLE MODELS VEHICLE APPLICATIONS ---------------- -------------------- All A, C, H, E, W Cars

#### CHANGE TO ASSEMBLY COMPONENT (Figure 2)

A new manual shaft (702) that is 7mm (.276") longer is used on all 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles. This longer manual shaft is not interchangeable with the shorter manual shaft used in previous models.

#### SERVICE ACTION

When servicing a 1988 model THM 440-T4 transaxle use the proper manual shaft as listed in the Service Parts Information section below.

#### SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION

Part Number Description Model Year Usage ----------- ----------- ---------------- 8646946 Package, Manual Shaft and Seal 1988 - All Models (1) Shaft, Manual (1) Seal, Manual Shaft

#### SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE

This product change does not affect diagnosis, disassembly or assembly procedures for 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles and is not shown in the 1988 THM 440-T4 Unit Repair Section of your service manual.

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS SUBJECT ---------------------- ------- 1988 THM 440-T4 (ME9) New Reverse Reaction Drum

TRANSAXLE MODELS VEHICLE APPLICATIONS ---------------- -------------------- All A, C, H, E, W Cars

#### CHANGE TO ASSEMBLY COMPONENT (Figure 3)

A new reverse reaction drum (659) for all 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles. The change to the reverse reaction drum is identified by a chamfer on both ends of the drum.

#### SERVICE ACTION

When servicing a 1987 or 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxle the new reverse reaction drum (659) may be used. When servicing a 1984 through 1986 THM 440-T4 transaxle you must use the previous reverse reaction drum as shown in the Service Parts Information section below.

#### SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION

Part Number Description Model Year - Model Usage ----------- ----------- ------------------------ 8661092 Drum, Reverse Reaction 1987-1988 - All Models 8656612 Drum, Reverse Reaction 1984-1986 - All Models

#### SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE

This product change does not affect diagnosis, disassembly or assembly procedures for 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles and is not shown in the 1988 THM 440-T4 Unit Repair Section of your service manual.

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS SUBJECT ---------------------- ------- 1988 THM 440-T4 (ME9) New 3rd Clutch Wave Plate

TRANSAXLE MODELS VEHICLE APPLICATIONS ---------------- -------------------- CRH, CXH A, W Cars With 2.8L Engines

#### CHANGE TO ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS (Figure 4)

A new 3rd clutch plate (640A), waved instead of a flat steel plate, is used in some 1988 A and W cars equipped with 2.8L or engines and a THM 440-T4 transaxle. All other 1988 model transaxles continue to use the previous design flat steel plate as part of the assembly. The new 3rd clutch plate (waved) cushions the apply of the 3rd clutch.

#### SERVICE ACTION

When servicing the 3rd clutch assembly on the following 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxle models: CRH and CXH use the 3rd clutch plate (waved) listed in the Service Parts Information section below. This new plate must not be used to service prior model year transaxles.

#### SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION

Part Number Description ----------- ----------- 8656645 Plate, 3rd Clutch (waved)

#### SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE

This product change information is shown in the THM 440-T4 Automatic Transaxle Unit Repair section of your 1988 Service Manual. Other product changes that are new for 1988 model THM 440-T4 transaxles have been identified by an asterisk (*) in the Table of Contents.

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS SUBJECT ---------------------- ------- 1988 THM 440-T4 (ME9) New 2nd Clutch Switch

TRANSAXLE MODELS VEHICLE APPLICATIONS (Figure 5) that a five PIN electrical connector is used on these models.

#### SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION

Part Number Description ----------- ----------- 8658040 Switch Assembly, Pressure (2nd Clutch) 8662852 Harness Assembly, Wiring

#### SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE

This product change information is shown in the THM 440-T4 Automatic Transaxle Hydraulic Diagnosis section of your 1988 Service Marual. Other product changes that are new for 1988 model THM 440-T4 transaxles have been identified by an asterisk (*) in the Table of Contents.

TRANSAXLE APPLICATIONS SUBJECT ---------------------- ------- 1988 THM 440-T4 (ME9) New Inside Detent Lever With New Manual Detent Spring and Roller Assembly

TRANSAXLE MODELS VEHICLE APPLICATIONS ---------------- -------------------- CRH W Car

#### CHANGE TO ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS (Figure 10)

A new inside detent lever (704) to be used with a new manual detent spring and roller assembly (707). The change to these components allows for smoother gear selection in "W" cars.

#### SERVICE ACTION

When servicing a 1988 CRH model THM 440-T4 transaxle, only use the new parts as listed in the Service Parts Information section below. DO NOT use these components on other model THM 440-T4 transaxles or a misbuild will occur.

#### SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION

Part Number Description Model Year - Model Usage ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- 8662925 Package, Manual Valve 1988 - CRH Models Lever and Link (W Car Only)

8662737 Spring and Roller 1988 - CRH Models Assembly Manual Detent (W Car Only)

#### SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE

This product change does not affect diagnosis, disassembly or assembly procedures for 1988 THM 440-T4 transaxles and is not shown in the 1988 THM 440-T4 Unit Repair Section of your service manual.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.