Change transaxle filter - 2003 Buick LeSabre

https://ibb.co/sKtr3zt

Click on the link, the info is for 4t40e transaxle. The info says the transaxle holds 6.9 quarts, but, you can't go by that. How much fluid did you drain out? If you over fill or under fill, that is your responsibility. good luck

THE INPUT & OUTPUT SPEED SENSORS ARE ON THE TRANSAXLE , THEY HAVE A TWO PRONG WIRE CONNECTOR @ EACH SENSOR. THEY ARE IMPORTANT !!!! THEY SEND INFO TO THE CONTROL SOLONOID FOR SHIFT QUALITY AND SHOULD ELIMINATE THAT LIMP MODE CONDITION. I WOULD ALSO CHANGE THE TRANS FILTER & FLUID, USE ATF+4 FLUID ONLY , DONOT USE DEXRON FLUID, ITS NOT GOOD FOR THIS TRANSAXLE, USE ONLY ATF+4 , ONLY !!! CLEAN PAN & THE SMALL MAGNET IN BOTTOM OF PAN . USE A NEW GASKET & FILTER. THE LOCATION OF YOUR SENSORS ON THE TRANSAXLE , STANDING IN FRONT OF CAR, HOOD OPEN, LOOK DOWN @ TRANSAXLE, (TRANSMISSION), USE FLASHLIGHT TO LOOK FOR SENSORS, INPUT , MIDWAY, CLOSE TO CONTROL SOLONOID, OUTPUT, TOWARDS WHEEL. LOWER AREA/TRANS, ARE YOUR NEUTRAL SAFETY & BACKUP SWITCHES ! THREE PRONG CONNECTORS, HOPE THIS HELPS !

The filter is not replaced unless an overhaul of the trans-axle is needed, It involves the removal of the trans-axle and partial disassembly to accomplish the filter replacement. That is only if trans failure is suspected, and diagnosis requires removal and inspection of the filter. The filter removal and replacement is procedure 42 out of 72 in the disassembly manual and 12 different Ford specific SST's (Special Service Tools) are needed. I did however, include the procedure for the normal drain and fill service performed at the dealer.
I hope this info helps!
subyguru
Transmission Fluid Drain and Refill

Specifications

Material

Draining

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL position it on a hoist.

1. NOTE: If an internal problem is suspected, drain the fluid through a paper filter. A small amount of metal or friction particles may be found from normal wear. If an excessive amount of metal or friction material is present the transaxle will need to be overhauled.

Remove the transaxle drain plug.

Refill

1. Using a small amount of pipe sealant on the threads, install the transaxle drain plug.

• Tighten to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) .

1. Fill the transaxle with clean automatic transmission fluid.
2. Start the engine and run through all the gears and check fluid level.

The auto transaxle/differential fluid and filter should be changed every 30,000 miles or 24 months. The transaxle fluid and differential lubricant use the same Dextron III automatic transmission fluid. If you have a three speed automatic transaxle, the transaxle differential has a separate lubricant supply that should be checked every 15,000 miles or every 12 months. By the way........ see if there is a Half Price Books or other used book store in or near your town. I find used repair manuals like Hayes or Chiltons for $8.00 or less all the time. Hope this helps. Dano

Procedure pasted below. Please let me know if you have questions, and thanks for using FixYa.

Drain, Refill & Filter Service

1. The fluid should be drained when warm so contaminants are in suspension in the transaxle fluid.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle on safety stands.
3. Place a suitable drain pan under the transaxle fluid pan.
4. There is no drain plug for changing the transaxle fluid, so fluid change on most automatics is messy. Draining the fluid involves loosening some bolts, removing others, and, after the pan is loosened, letting the fluid run out from the joint between the pan and gasket and the transaxle body. Use a drain pan with a large enough opening to accommodate draining the fluid from a large section of the pan.
5. There are twenty oil pan bolts. Loosen and remove only the bolts from the front and sides of the pan.
6. Loosen the rear bolts about four turns.

WARNING Do not pry between the oil pan and the aluminum transaxle case. A prying tool could mark, scratch or gouge the gasket sealing rail making it impossible for the replacement gasket to provide a satisfactory seal.

1. Lightly tap the pan with a rubber mallet to loosen and allow the fluid to drain.

NOTE If the transaxle fluid is very dark or has a burnt smell, transaxle damage is indicated. Have the transaxle checked professionally.

1. Remove the remaining bolts, the pan and the gasket. Hold the pan level to keep a small amount of fluid in the bottom. This allows you to check the sediments in the pan for contaminants. Remove the pan and set aside.
2. The transaxle oil filter has a small neck that is a press-fit into the transaxle case. It should pull straight out. A little careful prying may be required. The rubber grommet that accepts the neck on the filter will likely remain in the transaxle case. Use a small screwdriver to carefully remove the seal. Use care not to damage the case sealing surface.
3. Inside the pan should be a small magnet. Inspect the oil pan magnet for small bits of steel. The factory places the magnet here to trap stray metal particles. Excessive amounts of steel shavings indicate internal transmission damage. A small amount of sediment in the pan is normal as the friction elements wear.
4. If desired, use side cutters to open up the transaxle oil filter assembly by cutting or prying the metal crimping away from the top of the filter and by pulling the filter apart. Inspect the filter for excessive amounts of the following: clutch plate assembly fiber material, indicating clutch distress; bronze slivers, indicating bushing wear; steel particles, indicating internal transaxle wear.

To install:

1. Clean all parts well. Clean all traces of old gasket off of the oil pan gasket rail as well as the sealing surface on the transaxle. Use care not to damage the sealing surface on either area.
2. Inspect the oil pan for damage to the sealing surface and dents or cracks in the pan.
3. If the oil filter seal came out of the case, install it using a socket as a driver. Gently tap in with a plastic mallet. Using the same plastic mallet, gently tap the filter neck in place.
4. The design of the steel-core factory gasket is such that it may be reusable, if not bent or otherwise damaged. Note that most replacement transaxle oil filters come with a new gasket. Lay the oil pan gasket on the pan and install the pan to the case. Normally, no sealer is used. Start a few bolts at the ends of the pan to hold it and to keep the gasket from moving out of position. Install all 20 bolts and tighten to 97 inch lbs. (11 Nm). Do not overtighten or the gasket could be squeezed out of position and/or the bolt threads in the aluminum transaxle case could be damaged.
5. Lower the vehicle to the floor.
6. To refill the transaxle from just a bottom pan removal, 7.4 quarts of DEXRON® IIE or DEXRON® III will be required. Use a funnel to reach the filler/dipstick tube. Use care not to spill fluid in the engine compartment.
7. Check for leaks.

Action: Description

Inspect Cooling system hoses
Torque Body Fasteners
Inspect Idle speed
Inspect Exhaust system heat shields
Inspect Fuel lines
Inspect Emission System
Torque Frame Fasteners
Replace Air filter element
Inspect Drive Belt(s)
Change fluid Automatic transmission/transaxle
Inspect Parking brake
Inspect Ball joints
Drain, flush & refill Cooling system
Inspect Steering system
Inspect Brake system
Inspect Brake lines & hoses
Inspect Axle Shaft Oil Seal
Change fluid Rear differential
Inspect Driveshaft Universal Joint(s)
Inspect Constant Velocity Joint Boots
Change fluid Brake system
Replace Crankcase Oil Filter
Lubricate Door checks
Inspect fluid level Manual transmission/transaxle
Inspect fluid level Front differential
Inspect fluid level Transfer case
Inspect fluid level Rear differential
Change fluid Crankcase

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

Inspect tires for wear and rotate.

Inspect brake pads/shoes/rotors/drums, brake

lines & hoses, and parking brake system.

Inspect wheel ends for endplay and noise.

Inspect engine cooling system and hoses.

Inspect exhaust system and heat shields.

Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension

and, if equipped, half shafts, driveshaft and

U-joints.

Replace engine air filter.

Replace fuel filter..

Replace cabin air filter, if equipped.

Change automatic transmission fluid on vehicles

equipped with the Torqshift and 4R100

transmissions. Replace the remote filter element

on the vehicles equipped with the Torqshift

transmission. Inspect automatic

transmission/transaxle fluid level on all other

vehicles, if equipped with dipstick. Consult your

dealer for your particular requirements.

Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter on all
vehicles equipped with CVT.

Beforre beginning work, purchase the specified transmission fluid and filter. The filter will come with a new pan gasket and sealer.
1. The fluid should be drained immediately after the vehicle has been driven. More sediment and contaminants will be removed with the fluid if it is hot.Warning :Fluid temperature can exceed 350-degrees F in a hot transaxle, so wear gloves when draining the fluid.
2. Raise whehicle and support it on jackstands.
3. Possition a drain pan capable of holding six quarts under transaxle. Be careful not to touch any of the exhaust components.Remove transaxle drain plug, let the fluid drain into the pan.
4. Remove all of the pan bolts sxcept for the tree at the driver side corner. You'll need 10 mm wrench for the bolt at the front corner on passenger side and a 10 mm socket and universal adapter for the bolts above crossmember. Unscrew the tree remaining bolts two turns, but leave them in place to support the pan.
5.Carefully separate pan from the transaxle case and alow the fluid to drain out. Try not to splash fluid as the gasket seal is broken and the pan is detached.
6. Inspect the magnets inside the pan. Fine powdery material on the magnets are normal, but if there are fragments of metal, the transaxle should be inspected by Ford dealer or qualified transmission shop.
7. Scrape all traces of the old gasket from the pan abd the transmission case, then clean the pan with solvent and dry it with compressed air. DO NOT use rag to wipe out the pan(Lint from the rag could contaminate transaxle).
8. Remove the filter bolts and detach the filter. You'll need 10mm universal socket to remove the bolt directly below crossmember. Note that the bolt on the driver side and to the rear secures wirring harnes retainer. Discard the filter and the seal.
9. Attach the new seal to the filter then bolt the filter to transaxle.
10. Position new gasket on the pan, then hold te pan against the transaxle case and install the bolts, tighten pan bolts to the tourque between 22 to 30 in-lbs. Don't owertighten bolts.

set the emergency brake and jack the front of the vehicle up and put on jack stands or pull up on ramps then set the brake. find the tranny pan it will either take a 10mm socket or and 8mm to remove bolts remove the bolts from one end to the next to allow the pan to come down at an angle to drain the fluid in a pan once finished draining remove pan to get to the filter. filter is probably bolted in also with same 8mm bolts remove bolts then filter replace with new one pan gasket might be rubber and reusable if new filter does not come with one. replace pan and refill vehicle with fluid usually 3-4 quarts put in 2 and check the level after vehicle warms up and in neutral

men you need to have a tune up, change the plugs, wires and air filter and the oil transmission, and if is doing the same your transmission is bad