Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

20-NA-142
August, 2023

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Shudder/Surging While Driving

Attention: This bulletin only applies to vehicles with 50,000 km (30,000 miles) or less. For vehicles
with over 50,000 km (30,000 miles), the torque converter and transmission oil filter
should be replaced following published Service Information.
Brand:

Model:

Model Year:
from

to

2015

2020

Express
Suburban
Silverado LD
Chevrolet

2022

2022

Tahoe

2015

2020

2015
2019

2022
2018
2019
2023

Sierra 1500
(New Model)

2019

2021

Sierra 1500 - Limited
(RPO J21, VIN Digit
5 = 8/9)

2022

2022

Yukon

2015

2020

Copyright 2023 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Transmission:

2019

Silverado 1500 - LTD
(RPO J21, VIN Digit
5 = W/Y)

Sierra 2500/3500

Engine:

2023
2021

Sierra

GMC

2019
2019

Sierra Limited

to

2018

Silverado 1500
(New Model)

Savana

from

2022

Silverado
Silverado 2500/3500

VIN:

MYC, MYD

Page 2

August, 2023

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-142

Involved Region or Country

North America, Russia, Middle East, Israel, Palestine, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador,
Paraguay, Peru, and Thailand.

Condition

Some customers may comment that a surging condition is felt when driving.
Some technicians may find while performing Torque Converter Diagnosis per Service
Information, may identify the surging as a torque converter shudder condition.

Cause

This condition may be caused by additives in the transmission fluid may have been
depleted during vehicle operation.
– Some of these additives assisted with regulating a consistent slip rate of the clutches.
Note: This bulletin should only be used on vehicles with 50,000 km (30,000 miles) or
less. For vehicles with over 50,000 km (30,000 miles) the torque converter and
transmission oil filter should be replaced following published Service Information.
1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove the transmission pan.

Correction

5360216

• If metallic debris is present (similar to graphic above), remove transmission and
replace the torque converter and replace the transmission filter. Refer to Torque
Converter Replacement in SI.
• If metallic debris is not present, drain and clean the oil pan, replace transmission
fluid filter and reinstall transmission oil pan following Service Information and
follow the Service Procedure below that corresponds with the vehicle fill setup.

Important: Service agents must comply with all
International, Federal, State, Provincial, and/or
Local laws applicable to the activities it performs
under this bulletin, including but not limited to
handling, deploying, preparing, classifying,
packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping
dangerous goods. In the event of a conflict between
the procedures set forth in this bulletin and the
laws that apply to your dealership, you must follow
those applicable laws.

Service Procedure: Vehicles Equipped
with a Fluid Fill Tube
Note: Refer to TSB 21-NA-199 to verify in the Thermal
Bypass Valve (TBV) requires updating.
1. Remove the transmission Thermal Bypass Valve
(TBV) and or cooler lines.

2. Install DT-53040 Adapter, Trans Flushing Tool to
the cooler line ports on the transmission reusing
the existing cooler line seal.
3. Place the drain hose from DT-53040 into
GE-47716-2 Graduated Bucket.
4. Lower the vehicle.
5. Through the transmission fluid fill tube add 6 quarts
of DEX VI Transmission fluid.
6. Start the engine and drain 4 quarts of transmission
fluid into the GE-47716-2 Graduated Bucket then
shut the engine off immediately.
7. Through the transmission fluid fill tube add 4 quarts
of DEX VI Transmission fluid.
8. Start the engine and drain 4 quarts of transmission
fluid into GE-47716-2 Graduated Bucket then shut
the engine off immediately.
9. Through the transmission fluid fill tube add 4 quarts
of DEX VI Transmission fluid

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-142

August, 2023

Page 3

10. Raise the vehicle, remove the DT-53040 and
reinstall the Thermal Bypass Valve (TBV) and or
cooler lines installing a new Cooler Line Seal.
11. Tighten the bolt (2) to 22 nm (16 lb ft).
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Set the fluid level to the proper level following
Service Information.

Service Procedure: Vehicles equipped
with a level set plug
Initial TransFlow Flush Machine Setup
Important: The prepping procedure only needs to be
completed if the DT-45096 supply reservoir does not
have DEX VI fluid in it.
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).
4. Remove the transmission oil thermal bypass valve/
cooler pipe assembly from the transmission.
5. Install the DT-53040 Adapter Block Assembly to
the transmission, reusing the seal from the
transmission oil cooler pipe assembly.
6. Tighten the bolt (2) to 22 nm (16 lb ft).

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
1. Fill the DT-45096 with 17 quarts of DEX VI fluid.
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

5181401

7. Place the hose in the GE-47716-2 Graduated
Measuring Bucket, utilizing a Spring Clamp to
retain the hose.
8. Remove the level set plug from the transmission.

Page 4

August, 2023

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-142

Important: DO NOT over tighten the DT-51190 as it
can be damaged by excessive torque. DO NOT exceed
9 Y (80 lb in).

5122324

9. Install the DT-51190/DT-45096-31 assembly and
hand tighten as shown in the graphic above.
10. Connect the TransFlow fluid feed (supply) line (3)
to the DT-45096-31 adapter.
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. Connect the DT-45096 to the vehicle battery 12
volts and connect shop air to the air connection.

5181027

13. Switch the DT-45096 TransFlow to Flow and add 6
quarts of DEX VI to the transmission. (Reducing
fluid level in the TransFlow from 17–11).
14. Switch the TransFlow to Idle.

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-142

August, 2023

15. Utilizing the graduated bucket, start the engine and
run 30- 45 seconds until 4 quarts of fluid is
expelled.
16. Shut the engine off immediately.
17. Switch the DT-45096 TransFlow to Flow and add 4
quarts of fluid to the transmission (Reducing fluid
level in the TransFlow from 11–7).
18. Switch the DT-45096 TransFlow to Idle.
19. Utilizing the graduated bucket, start the engine and
run 30- 45 seconds until 4 quarts of fluid is
expelled.
20. Switch the DT-45096 TransFlow to Flow (Reducing
fluid level in the TransFlow from 7–2).
21. Shut the engine off.
22. Raise the vehicle.
23. Disconnect the DT-45096 TransFlow feed (supply)
line from the DT-45096-31.
24. Using care, remove DT-45096-31/DT-51190 as an
assembly.
Note: Review TSB 21-NA-199 to see the Thermal
Bypass Valve (TBV) needs to be updated.
25. Install the Thermal Bypass Valve (TBV) and or
cooler lines installing a new Cooler Line Seal.
26. Tighten the bolt (2) to 22 nm (16 lb ft).
27. Install the level set plug. Tighten the plug to 9 nm