Bulletin No.: PIP5581
Published date: N/A

Preliminary Information
PIP5581 CVT7 shudder concerns. Fluid replacement procedure.
Models
Brand:
Chevrolet

Model:
Spark

Model Years:
2014 - 2019

VIN:
from
All

to
All

Engine:
LL0, LV7

Transmissions:
M4M, MR8

Involved Region or Country North America
Additional Options (RPO)

Condition

Cause

NA
Some Chevrolet Spark vehicles may exhibit a short duration shudder on launch from
stop or on acceleration from low speed (such as turning a corner). Condition may
be di cult to duplicate as it is momentary and may only occur under certain rates of
braking and accelerating.
Degradation of the CVT uid may alter the friction characteristics and lead to
shudder concerns during a shift from high or low range. (It is normal for this
transmission to remain in high range under medium to hard braking and may only
make the high/low range shift on acceleration after the braking maneuver.)
Note: It may be helpful to obtain a GDS session log of transmission data during the
conditions when the shudder occurs.

Correction:
Step 1. Remove the uid pan and inspect the magnets for metal debris. Refer to PIP5548 (SI Doc 4955910).
It is normal to have some metallic build up on the magnets.
If the magnets show only the normal magnetic sludge, reinstall the pan using a new gasket if needed.
Per PIP5548, do NOT replace the transmission if metal chips cannot be FELT in the magnetic sludge.

Call out 1
Abnormal debris.

Call out 2
Normal debris.
Step 2. Reinstall the uid pan and ll the transmission with 5 quarts of AC Delco CVT uid P/N 19260800.
(Transmission will be over-full at this point.)
Step 3. Disconnect only the transmission cooler return line from the transmission and route it into a suitable
container. (The cooler return line connects to the lower port at the transmission.)

Call out 3
Cooler return port.
Step 4. Start and run the engine for 30 seconds then check the amount of uid in the container. Flow rate should
be approximately 1 quart per 10 seconds.
It will take 3-4 quarts to ush the torque converter and discharge clean uid from the return line.
If necessary, start and run the engine again for no more than 20 seconds.
Step 5. Reinstall the cooler return line.
Step 6. Add 2 quarts of CVT uid to the transmission.
Step 7. Adjust transmission uid lever per SI Document 4113608.
Note: After replacing the uid, the shudder should be noticeably improved within 100 miles, however, it may take
up to 300 miles for the new uid to fully saturate the clutch plates.
NOTE: As further information becomes available this PI will be updated or replaced with a bulletin as needed.

Parts Information
Description

QTY

Part Number

Transmission Fluid Pan Gasket (If Needed)
Automatic Transmission CVT7 Fluid

25191102
19260800

1
7

Warranty Information
Labor Operation

Description

Labor Time

8480788

Drain and replace all fluid from
transmission and torque converter for1.1
shudder repair.
*This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only.

Version History
Version
Modi ed

1
Created July 30, 2018

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