Service Bulletin

Bulletin No.:

19-NA-121

Date:

April, 2020

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Shake and/or Shudder During Light Throttle Acceleration Between 25 and 80 MPH (40
and 128 KM/H) at Steady Speed

Attention: This Bulletin only applies to vehicles sold in the U.S., Canada and Middle East
Operations (MEO).
Note: This procedure should only be completed once
per vehicle. Any vehicle that returns with suspect
shudder should be diagnosed utilizing published
diagnostics, GDS, PICO Scope or other diagnostic
tools. Sometimes shudder is not caused by the torque
converter clutch (TCC). In some instances, shudder is
fish bite, chuggle, surge or vibration.
Brand:

Model:

Chevrolet

Silverado
1500 (New
Model)

GMC

Sierra
1500 (New
Model)

Model Year:

Date Breakpoint:

from

to

from

to

2019

2019

SOP

March
01, 2019

Engine:

Transmission:

L3B, L84

MQE

Involved Region or Country

United States, Canada and Middle East Operations (MEO)

Condition

Some customers may comment that their vehicle is experiencing a shake and/or shudder
during light throttle acceleration between 25 and 80 mph (40 and 128 km/h) steady state
driving when transmission is not actively shifting gears.

⇒ The condition may be described as if they are driving over rumble strips or a
concrete road surface with rough expansion joints.
Cause

This condition may be due to Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Shudder.
Note: This procedure should only be completed once per vehicle. Any vehicle that
returns with suspect shudder should be diagnosed utilizing published diagnostics, GDS,
PICO Scope or other diagnostic tools. Sometimes shudder is not caused by the torque
converter clutch (TCC). In some instances, shudder is fish bite, chuggle, surge or
vibration.

Correction

Vehicles that are presented with TCC shudder should have the appropriate fluid
exchange procedure completed. Diagnosis beyond the customer compliant is not
required if vehicle was built prior to production dates indicated above.
For vehicles built after the production dates listed above.

⇒ If a customer presents a vehicle with a similar complaint, follow normal SI
diagnostics. These vehicles are already equipped with the latest HP fluid.

Copyright 2020 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

April, 2020

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-121

Special Tools
DT-52263 Transmission Fluid Exchange Kit:
• DT-52263-1 Block Assembly (includes fluid drain
hose, spring clamp)
• DT-52263-5 Radiator Cooler Drain Adapter

1215917

•

DT-45096 TransFlow Cooler Flush Machine

3763203

•

DT-51190 Transmission Oil Fill Adapter

4733125

•

5181938

•

GE-47716-2 Graduated Bucket

DT-45096-31 TransFlow Adapter (one of two
pieces from DT-45096-30)

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-121

April, 2020

Service Procedure
Initial TransFlow Flush Machine Setup
Important: The prepping procedure only needs to be
completed if the DT-45096 supply reservoir has
DEXRON VI fluid in it and has not been converted to
use the new blue label Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP
fluid.
Note: The prepping procedure only needs to be
completed if HP fluid is not in the supply reservoir.

Page 3

or aftermarket additive packages will result in a low
concentration level of new fluid and will not provide
satisfactory results.
1. Fill the DT-45096 with 20 quarts of HP fluid.
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

1. Connect the TransFlow adapter DT-45096-31 to
the supply line of the DT-45096 TransFlow
machine.

5182541

3. Install the DT-45096-31 TransFlow adapter (1) to
the DT-51190 fluid fill adapter (2).

5180884

2. Switch the DT-45096 TransFlow to Idle.
3. Connect power leads to the vehicle 12-volt DC
supply.
4. Turn the TransFlow main switch ON.
5. Connect air supply to the DT-45096.
6. Place the TransFlow supply hose with adapter
DT-45096-31 into a waste reservoir using care not
to spill the expelled fluid.
7. Switch the DT-45096 TransFlow to Flow and allow
all the fluid in the supply reservoir to be removed
and placed in the waste reservoir.
8. Switch the control switch back to idle.

Fluid Exchange Procedure – 2019 Chevrolet
Silverado and GMC Sierra (New Body Style)
Equipped with the RPO (MQE)
Important: This procedure must be followed as
published. The exchange process is required to obtain
proper level of new blue label Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF
HP fluid. Intermixing of other types of transmission fluid

5180563

4. Remove the transmission oil cooler pipe assembly
from the transmission.
5. Install the DT-52263-1 Adapter Block Assembly
(1), reusing the seal from the transmission oil
cooler pipe assembly.
6. Tighten the bolt (2) to 22 Y (16 lb ft).

Page 4

April, 2020

7. Place the hose (3) in the GE-47716-2 Graduated
Measuring Bucket, utilizing a Spring Clamp to
retain the hose.

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-121

Caution: DO NOT REMOVE MORE THAN 3 QUARTS
OF FLUID AS IT COULD CAUSE FLUID PUMP
CAVITATION AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE
TRANSMISSION.
12. Utilizing the graduated bucket, start the engine and
run 30 - 45 seconds until 3 quarts of fluid is
expelled.
13. Shut the engine off immediately.
14. Connect the DT-45096 to the vehicle battery 12
volts and connect shop air to the air connection.

3723844

8. Remove the level set plug (1) from the
transmission.
Important: DO NOT over tighten the DT-51190 as it
can be damaged by excessive torque. DO NOT exceed
9 Y (80 lb in).
9. Install the DT-51190/DT-45096-31 assembly and
hand tighten as shown in the graphic above.

5181027

15. Switch the DT-45096 TransFlow to Flow and add 4
quarts of HP to the transmission.

5181020
3723839

10. Connect the TransFlow fluid feed (supply) line (3)
to the DT-45096-31 adapter (2).
11. Lower the vehicle.

16. Switch the DT-45096 TransFlow to Idle (Reducing
fluid level in the TransFlow from 20–16).

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-121

April, 2020

17. Switch the TransFlow DT-45096 to Flow and start
the engine:
17.1. Add a maximum of 4 quarts of HP Fluid to
the transmission, turn the TransFlow switch
to idle once 4 quarts have been added, while
allowing 4 additional quarts of oil to fill the
DT-graduated bucket (Reducing fluid level in
the TransFlow from 16 – 12).
Note: DO NOT add additional transmission fluid until
the 4 quarts of oil have been removed from the
transmission (Reducing fluid level in the TransFlow
from 12–8).
17.2. Repeat step 17.1.
17.3. Add a maximum of 5 quarts of HP fluid to the
transmission while allowing 5 additional
quarts of oil to fill the DT-graduated bucket
(Reducing fluid level in the TransFlow from 8
– 3).

Page 5

22. Install the level set plug.

Tighten
Torque the plug to 9 Y (80 lb in).
23. Remove DT-52263-1 Adapter Block Assembly
from the transmission.
24. If equipped, remove the Thermal By-Pass Block
from the cooler pipes (L84 only).
24.1. If equipped with the 4 cylinder (L3B) engine
skip to step 27.
25. Using clean compressed shop air regulated to 50
PSI blow out the transmission oil cooler lines to
remove any remaining transmission fluid.
26. If equipped, install the Thermal By-Pass Block from
the cooler pipes.
27. Install the transmission oil cooler pipe using a new
cooler block seal.
28. Partially lower the vehicle.
29. Start the engine.
30. Using care, shift the transmission through all
forward ranges and Reverse.
31. Shift the transmission into Park.
32. Perform the Transmission Fluid Level and
Condition Check outlined below in this procedure:
32.1. Get the transmission fluid temperature to the
proper temperature.
32.2. Install the level set plug.

Tighten
Torque the plug to 9 Y (80 lb in).
The TCC shudder condition should be directional
improved immediately after the fluid exchange
procedure. It may take up to 200 mi (320 km) for the
TCC shudder condition to be eliminated. It is not a
requirement for the dealer to drive the vehicle 200 mi
(320 km). The customer should be advised that the full
effect will take up to 320 km (200 mi) and a minimum of
two cold to operating temperature drive cycles.

Transmission Fluid Level and Condition
Check

5181401

18.
19.
20.
21.

17.4. Shut the engine off once 16 quarts of fluid
have been collected.
17.5. Properly dispose of the expelled
transmission fluid.
Raise the vehicle.
Disconnect the DT-45096 TransFlow feed (supply)
line from DT-45096-31 TransFlow adapter.
Using care, remove DT-45096-31/DT-51190 as an
assembly.
Remove the DT-51190 fluid fill adapter from
DT-45096-31 hose.

This procedure checks both the transmission fluid level,
as well as the condition of the fluid itself. Because the
transmission on this vehicle is not equipped with a fill
tube and dipstick, a tube in the bottom pan is used to
set the fluid level.
Warning: The transmission fluid level must be
checked when the transmission fluid temperature
(TFT) is between 35–45°C (95–113°F). If the TFT is
not within this range, either idle or brake torque the
vehicle to raise the fluid temperature, or shut off the
vehicle to allow the fluid to cool as required. Setting
the fluid level with a TFT outside this range will
result in either an under or over-filled transmission.
TFT>45°C=under-filled, TFT