New Does Not
Mean Good
As if the transmission industry
weren’t difficult already, technicians also have to
contend with new or remanufactured products that malfunction
right out of the box.
I have lost count of how many calls we have
taken regarding a 41TE transaxle that produced a code 41,
Low/Reverse Solenoid Circuit error. The solenoid and wiring
were checked and determined to be good, leading to the
conclusion that the TCM is faulty. The shop bought a
remanufactured module, and immediately after it was installed
code 41 returned.
Of course, it could not be the TCM; after
all, it had just come out of the box right from the dealer.
After the technician rechecked the wiring and maybe replaced
the solenoid body and wire for the solenoid, the code remained.
Some technicians begin to think that maybe
the code is being set because of an internal problem,
especially if they have replaced the TCM for a second time with
another reman module. We have had instances in which the module
has been replaced three to four times before the shop finally
received one that works correctly.
We received a brand-new 4L80-E turbine
shaft (see Figure 1) from AAMERCO Transmissions in Greenwood,
S.C., that caused the transmission to have no forward movement
in any range but a great reverse. Since the turbine shaft was
new, no one thought to check whether the forward-clutch feed
hole was drilled through in the shaft.
We also received a brand-new TCC orifice
filter for a 4L60-E (see Figure 2) from Klopp Enterprises in
Corning, N.Y., that caused a P1870 code. There was no opening
in the filter, blocking oil to the solenoid.
Figure 3 shows a brand-new feed bolt that
was used in an E4OD. Unfortunately, it was cast completely shut
and was placed into the lube-passage location. You can imagine
what damage occurred on a road test. Why couldn’t it have
been placed into the forward feed passage? At least no forward
engagement would have occurred before the problem was
discovered, but no, it had to get into the lube circuit.
This just goes to show that even new does
not mean good, and this must be a part of a
diagnostician’s thinking process. And, as much as
possible, whatever is new should be looked at and/or tested
carefully before being used.
One other tip that can go a long way is to
always verify the integrity of the shop’s digital
volt/ohmmeter. We also have seen plenty of misdiagnosis as a
result of inaccurate readings from a faulty meter –
another black hole for money and time. 
©2006 Transmission Digest