Road Test Results:
Initially, the transmission exhibited a tied-up or bound-up sensation when putting the vehicle into reverse. While performing the road test, the technician noted only slight 6-7 flares. Halfway through the 3-mile road test, while coming to a stop, the transmission briefly tied up on the 2-1
downshift, jerked, and chirped the tires. The technician then aborted the road test to return back to the service bay. In the service bay, the technician continued to test the reverse function and found that it would sometimes tie up and at other times neutralize. With the symptoms in hand, the technician was able to access the problem database, where he found technical service bulletins from both our transmission trade organization and General Motors that related to failed check ball number 9 against the separator plate. The bulletin included a part number for a valve body repair kit, which included check balls, a separator plate, and other small parts. The bulletin also included a software update for the updated valve body parts.

We called and spoke with the customers, getting their approval to fix their transmission. The valve body was removed. Upon disassembly, you could clearly see where check ball number nine was pushing through the separator plate. The repair and programming were performed, and we successfully fixed another transmission without the need for a costly overhaul or replacement.

Transmission Background: The GM 9T65 9-speed automatic transmission is found in several General Motors vehicles, including the Buick Enclave, Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Blazer, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT5 and XT6. Specifically, it has been included in models such as the 2018-2021 Buick Enclave and Traverse, the 2019-2021 Blazer, and the
2020-2021 Acadia, XT5, and XT6.