General Motors 8L90 hydraulic operation

Published 2022-10-02
This video is part three of a seven part series on the GM 8L90 transmission. In this video, I cover the hydraulic operation of this impressive transmission. I describe the valve components, pressure regulation, pump operation, solenoid control, and much more!

Here are the other videos in this series:

8L90 Overhaul - part one covers disassembly:    • General Motors 8l90 Overhaul Part One...  
8L90 Overhaul - part two covers assembly, including clutch and gearset assembly and measurements:    • General Motors 8l90 Overhaul Part Two...  
8L90 Overhaul - part three covers valve body:    • General Motors 8L90 mechanical operat...  

8L90 Mechanical and powerflow:    • General Motors 8L90 mechanical operat...  
8L90 Electrical theory and operation:    • General Motors 8L90 electrical theory...  
8L90 Torque Converter:    • General Motors 8L90 torque converter ...  
8L90 Rebuilding Particulars:
8L90 Modifications and Tuning:

Special thanks to Precision International, TransGo, and Sonnax for providing me with product to use in these videos. Also thanks to KB Cores and AA Midwest for providing me with a few 8L90 cores at a good price!

0:00 introduction
0:51 upper valve body components
3:54 actuator feed limit valve
7:31 solenoid operation
9:50 clutch exhaust backfill
13:16 oil pump
15:11 pressure regulation
22:03 surge accumulator
24:14 solenoid valve body
26:28 clutch control
34:48 solenoid accumulators
36:31 checkballs
37:41 vacuum testing
42:59 conclusion and summary

All Comments (9)
  • 6:19 (AFL Circuit) (Orifice #10) That's very interesting, Sean. I look forward to circling back and watching the rest of this video.
  • @Aintright890
    Thank you very much for this video. You sure are smart.....!!!!!!
  • Excellent explanation, thank you for your effort, and we hope for more information about the most important malfunctions?🎖
  • @brianbunch3577
    Excellent videos on 8L90. We have one in the shop with “Transmission Control Solenoid 3 Stuck Off” before and after rebuild. I was wanting to see the video on pump not wanting to prime discussed at end of this video. Is that video still being developed? I can’t locate it. Thanks,
  • @user-my3bq9xt4l
    Thank you for your video, which allowed me to understand the logic of the 8l90 transmission. May I ask where I can obtain the 8l90 oil pressure control logic diagram
  • @thecitiots
    This is great content thanks for the brain dump. 👍
  • @jraydelatorre
    Have you ever done a tutorial or seminar on the Sonnax vacuum test stand kit and how to use it specifically on General Motors 60 70 80 and 90 Electronic three speed four speed and six speed transmissions