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?
Tips and Techniques for Standard-Transmission Diagnosis, Part 2
When you arrive at a formula that fits your operation, it must become what the Army used to call SOP (standard operating procedure) for handling technical problems, comebacks, never-lefts, initial diagnosis and root-cause failure analysis. Throw away the shotgun approach, stop making assumptions and follow the methodical process that you design to lead you to consistent problem solving. Let’s look at some real-world scenarios.
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.
Tips and Techniques for Standard-Transmission Diagnosis, Part 1
Our profession is concerned almost exclusively with problem solving. It is important that we learn to diagnose and correct the problems that our customers bring us in a proficient manner, because time is money. Once you have agreed with your customer on a price for your labor, any extra time spent on the repair costs you twice over. The reason for this is that you cannot charge for any further time spent on the project, and you could put that same time to use on a paying job. This should be common sense, but every technician will attack a problem or comeback in a different manner.
PCM Reprogramming
Many of us can agree that the older we grow, the more quickly time passes. Manufacturers would do well if they could invent a brake that could slow the clock of life. At times this clock of life seems to be similar to that of a brakeless 18-wheeler with its trailer fully loaded, barreling downhill, delivering the uncomfortable feeling of helplessness – you know, the feeling of recognizing that this out-of-control rig has got to come to a stop somehow.
March 2002 Issue
Issue Summary:
This month’s issue features a number of charts that will lead you through the inner workings of this ZF transmission manufactured in Germany: BMW ZF-5HP-19FL.
February 2002 Issue
This month’s issue deals with 1992 and later Ford trucks that are equipped with LCD (liquid crystal display) odometers and experience intermittent or continuous loss of vehicle-speed signal.
January 2002 Issue
Issue Summary:
Mismatching wires of the turbine-shaft-speed sensor on Mazda 929 R4A-EL can cause major headaches.
A timing problem can cause delayed reverse in an E4OD.
In some two-wheel-drive Ford pickups with the E4OD transmission, stacked upshifts can result from the use of a 4×4 wiring harness.
We have information on the new A350 unit in the Lexus GS 300.
Incorrect drive and/or driven sprockets can cause gear-ratio errors in Ford AXODE/AX4S/AX4N units.
December 2001 Issue
Issue Summary:
In a Nissan RE4FO4A or Villager 4F20E, slipping or no second gear may be caused by insufficient spring tension on the 1-2 accumulator piston or a stuck 1-2 accumulator regulator valve.
We have in-depth information on retrieval of diagnostic trouble codes for Nissan vehicles.
Harsh upshifts on electronically controlled Nissan transmissions may be caused by a faulty dropping resistor or a poor connection at the resistor.
In Toyota Previas with four-cylinder engines and A46DE transmissions, stacked shifts or no passing gear may be caused by a broken wiring harness or faulty throttle-position sensor.
GM introduced a new-design overrun roller clutch into the THM 4L80-E as a running change beginning in March 2001. We cover the parts affected by this engineering change.
