Making Money in the Clutch
If you are in the transmission-repair business, you will work on a percentage of stick transmissions. This will inevitably lead to replacing worn-out or damaged clutches, since a large percentage of transmission damage starts with a worn or improperly adjusted clutch. There is good money to be made in clutch repair, and any time you remove a stick transmission, make sure you remove and inspect the clutch.
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.
April 2002 Issue
Issue Summary:
This month’s issue deals with code-retrieval methods on the Isuzu NPR/GMC Forward Tiltmaster for model years 1988 to 2000.
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.
