Centerline 101
The axis or centerline of an engine is the imaginary line around which the rotating mass revolves. The torque converter also has a centerline. Torque-converter rebuilders will tell you how important it is to maintain this centerline and to keep all surfaces perpendicular to this line. Transmissions also have a centerline. Most technicians learn early on the importance of good bushings and good bushing surfaces. Good bushings and their mating surfaces help to maintain a proper centerline to prevent seal and sealing-ring leaks.
Intermittent No Voltage
When a vehicle has been in failsafe or limp mode, it is important to check for codes to see what has caused this condition. If multiple codes are present, check to see whether there is something in common with each one.
Orbiting Saturn
The problem here is in the assembly of the 1st-clutch drum. At first glance, all four of the piston-return-spring assemblies look identical (see Figure 1). Each caged assembly contains 16 springs and has an average overall height of 1.170 inches. The size and configuration of the spring cage allow for these assemblies to be interchanged among drums.
AX4S/AX4N – No Go/No Charge
With their fingers crossed and the cooler-return line still in the bucket, they start the car up. The cooler line makes a little pop, a spit, some foamy fluid then, lo and behold, a nice clean steady stream of fluid comes out of the line. Mission accomplished. The converter has charge. After the cooler line is re-connected, the trans is topped off, road tested and everything works perfectly. End of story you say. Not quite yet. The question that remains is what did we do to correct whatever was wrong with the unit? We did not find anything to point a finger at as to the cause of the problem.
It’s a Tight Squeeze
I could only imagine the thoughts that ran through the minds of R&R men after they lifted the hood to view the Cadillac North Star/4T80-E combo for the first time. Perhaps it was something to the effect of, “Where is the transmission?”
Check the Ratio
The wrong differential was installed when the accident repairs were made two years before. The problem never surfaced until the car was driven more than 30 miles at one time. Since this was a second car, it took two years for the problem to show up.
Acura Legend G4, L5 & PL5X Transaxles
As best I can tell there are about 60 versions of the Honda/Acura four-speed transaxle to date. Some of these units, at a glance, look the same. Of course, as you know (usually found out the hard way), they are not the same. As a matter of fact, sometimes even when you look a bit closer they still look the same. This is mainly because of very subtle differences in the pieces and parts contained in these units.
It’s a Game of Tag, and You’re It!
A 1995 Mazda Millenia equipped with the 2.3-liter supercharged engine and the LJ4A-EL (JF4O3E) transaxle came in for a basic overhaul.
During the road test after completion of the job, the traction-control OFF lamp came on, as did the traction-control-system lamp and the Check Engine lamp. Holy mackerel, what the #%A* is going on here?
Suceeding Through Diversity
From thousands of transmission technicians working in shops across the country, stories abound as to how each one found their way into the world of transmissions. With different ages, races and sexes occupying the trade, individuals come with varied levels of interest, education and ambition. As such, there come different levels of success in personal accomplishments and financial gain.
Dodge Ram Dilemma
A four-wheel-drive 1995 Dodge R1500 pickup was towed to a transmission shop, which performed the usual pre-checks, including checking codes, cooler flow, pressure, and function of the transfer case and both differentials. All preliminary checks pointed to the transmission as the problem, and its subsequent removal and inspection did verify a defective transmission. The transmission rebuild seemed to go routinely, and the transmission performed adequately on the road test.
Low Line Pressure in 4L80-E in Diesel-Powered Trucks
Low Line Pressure in 4L80-E in Diesel-Powered Trucks
TASC Force Tips
Author: Gregg Nader, Sonnax
Maxima Malady
This problem came to me from a shop that was working on a 1997 Nissan Maxima with an RE4FO4A transmission that came in with a complaint of late and harsh shifts.
