Exploring the Globally Diverse JF506E
In today’s global economy, manufacturers of all types of goods are looking into joint ventures with other global partners. In the past the transmission industry has had dealings in this global marketplace. Ford and GM have been using and continue to use ZF Industries to provide medium-duty manual transmissions for its pickup trucks. ZF automatic transmissions are now finding their way into a growing number of non-German vehicles.
Going Bald
Curve-recognition programs in BMW’s 3, 5 and 7 series with bald tires can make your head go even balder. The purpose of this strategy is to prevent shift business during turns for driver pleasability. Recently we had a call where a shop was distraught over a 530i with a 5HP18 that had no upshifts to 4th or 5th under light to medium throttle and no upshift to 3rd under heavy throttle. Much was done and replaced to remedy this complaint when all along it was one tire being a different size from the other three.
A First View of Borg Warner’s Interactive Torque Management System
The quest for better technology never rests. The cars being produced today are perhaps the best ever for durability, emissions control, fuel efficiency, handling, braking and power. You don’t have to be in our industry for very long to realize that, across the board, the manufacturers are building great products. If the car owner follows the prescribed maintenance schedules, there is an excellent chance that his vehicle will easily exceed 100,000 miles without a major component failure.
Water, Water Everywhere
Many of us are familiar with the “strawberry milkshake” you see when a transmission cooler ruptures in the radiator and mixes engine coolant and transmission fluid. In recent years we have seen other problems that can be traced back to water intrusion. A massive leak is easy to find. Let’s look at some causes that often are less obvious.
A Case of Mistaken Identity
The recent JATCO five-speed automatic transaxle shown in Figure 1 can be found in a variety of vehicles. In the Mazda6 and MPV it is known as the JA5A-EL; in the Jaguar X type it is known as the JF506E; in the VW Golf, GTI and Jetta it is known as the 09A; and in the Land Rover Freelander it is called the JF506E as in Jaguar vehicles.
March 2005 Issue
Issue Summary:
We provide exploded views of the valve body and identification of components in AW50-42LE units.
After overhaul, the speedometer on a Volvo/SAAB vehicle equipped with a 50-40 LE series transaxle may register in the Park position, and there may be no Reverse when the driver selects Reverse from the Park position.
Point of Vue
I happened to be looking through some newly received factory bulletins from GM and came across an interesting one concerning the Saturn Vue and Ion. These models that are equipped with the AF33/23-5 five speed automatic have been around since 2002.
The 722.6 Shift Strategy
With the 722.6 being a transmission that shifts from clutch to clutch, smooth shifting requires proper shift overlap. To accomplish this task, a number of components and strategies merge to allow for adaptation under various driving conditions. To fully appreciate what it takes to make for correct shift timing and shift feel, it is good to look at and understand these components and strategies independently. And after having a basic understanding of them, one can see how they work together like members of a musical band to harmoniously accomplish the task at hand.
February 2005 Issue
Issue Summary:
A 1993 or later Chrysler front-wheel-drive car or van may have a complaint of no speedometer operation and may have all the PRNODL lamps illuminated.
Some 1999-2000 vehicles equipped with the 42RE/46RE may exhibit a harsh engagement in reverse.
A 1996 or later Jeep or Dodge truck with an RE transmission may exhibit complaints of falling out of 4th gear and loss of TCC application. On diesel applications, the transmission may be stuck in 3rd gear and governor pressure may be 70 psi in Park.
Solving Difficult Problems: Think Outside the Box
It is easy to lose one’s way and become embroiled in solving problems that actually do not exist. This is where the development of a proper diagnostic method of thinking a problem through before actually turning a wrench is a must. We as technicians are always guilty of attacking the unit when any number of external forces can create the problem that has shown up while it’s under warranty.
Chrysler 41TE & 42LE Range Sensors
Have you ever been here? It’s late in the day (usually Friday), and you’re just about to button up the 41TE or 42LE job you promised. Everything is going as planned. You go to plug in the range sensor, only to find out that the range-sensor pins are different and the vehicle harness won’t plug in.
False Pretenses
A 2002 Ford Explorer with a 5R55W transmission came into a shop with a complaint of no 2nd or 5th gear. Gear-ratio-error codes P0732 and P0735 were stored, but so was code P0775, indicating a problem with pressure-control solenoid B.
We all know what gear-ratio-error codes are all about by now, but that P0775 code – that’s a humdinger.
