The bulletin in question informed the dealer to have the techs check for a green sticker on the t/case of all 2006 H3s. If there was no green sticker, the tech was to add the extra fluid prior to delivering the vehicle. If the t/case had a green sticker, then the case had the extra fluid from the factory. (After the problem was discovered, GM started shipping the H3s with the correct fill level in the t/case.)
The service procedure for ALL 2006 H3s with the original t/case is as shown by MTUH3; except for the VIN breakpoint. The VIN breakpoint is for 07 vehicles since the new design t/case did not hit the vehicles until after 07 production started.
There is a noticeable difference between the two t-cases so an experienced tech will know if extra fluid is required. If the t/case was replaced after the new cases went into production vehicles, it will have the new design case; thus no need for the extra fluid. If t-case replaced prior to the new cases being in production, the H3 will have the old style case and require the extra fluid.
The sticker (or errata sheet) added to the owner's manual may or may not be in it. My 06 did not have the errata sheet and the dealer had not checked the fluid level; basically ignoring the bulletin. And even though I added the errata sheet to the owner's manual, I had a new case put in at the GM tech center so I pulled the sheet.
As for fluid; it requires Dexron III or Dexron IV. There was a mistake in one of the earlier GM service manuals, that made it to the print stage that stated for the use of the manual trans/t-case fluid; however, that was incorrect. AND I AM NOT GOING TO DEBATE IT WITH A CERTAIN SOMEONE. I worked on that project, the information in the service manual and the VIN break for 07 vehicles was due to my work and the work of another service engineer in powertrain for the H3. So I do kind of know what the F I am talking about when it comes to this t/case fluid required. I am also not going to discuss any BS on whether or not Dexron is a good or bad fluid with any backyard mechanics who spread BS around the forums.
You can take the information I am going to show as good information or not, but I have had the dealer drain and fill my t-case twice now and both times the filled it with Dexron VI, so I guess the dealer and I are on the same wave length.
I am adding this information just to help those who would like help. Personally, I could care less if someone wants to fill the t-case with Crisco!
Please note the year of vehicle, the type of fluid stated and don't forget to view the 2012 copyright date on the information. This is cut and pasted from the latest GM DVD service information available.
Forgot to add. The bulletin is no longer available for publication since it pertained to 06 vehicles only. Also, the failure with a t-case not filled to the correct level was a fork problem with the vehicle was driven in 4-wheel low. If the H3 is (was) never driven, or rarely driven in 4-low, chances are no failures would occur. The failures that sparked the re-design of the case and the additional fluid was from failures in the original H3 test fleet vehicles. Very few customer vehicles were ever affected.
