A Bouquet of Hybrids
Honda hit the road first with its gas-engine/electric-motor combo called the Insight, but it was Toyota that pioneered the “Hi Voltage Battery” technology and used it in its Prius vehicle. Ford broke ground by producing the first hybrid SUV with its 2003 Ford Escape. Ford also has plans in the works in which it will use the latest hybrid-electric-vehicle technologies with an advanced new fuel cell to produce the zero-emissions Ford Focus. Prototypes begin in 2004. Other manufacturers soon will have vehicles of environmentally friendly design available for purchase here as well. So it’s another technology that the auto-repair and rebuilding industry needs to prepare for.
March 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
After an overhaul during which the channel plate is replaced, a THM 4T40-E may have various stuck valves caused by mysterious metal particles.
Before and/or after rebuild of a THM 4T40-E, the vehicle illuminates the check engine lamp and stores code P1887 or P0742 in memory.
After overhaul and replacement of the torque converter in a THM 4T60-E, code P1870 – transaxle component slipping – occurs during the road test.
In a THM 4T60-E, an incorrect pressure switch or one that is stuck closed can cause no or a late 1-2 shift or cause the unit to fall back to third gear after attempting a 3-4 shift.
Some 1995-96 Buick Century and Oldsmobile Ciera vehicles with the 3.1-liter engine and THM 4T60-E may exhibit 3rd-gear starts and the air conditioner not working because of a blown in-line fuse.
A 4T65-E Is a 4T65-E Is a 4T65-E!
I don’t think I have anything weird for you this month, just some differences in 4T65-E applications requiring special overhaul-kit items that you need to be aware of when it’s on your bench.
E4OD/4R100 Safety Alert
The concern addressed in the bulletin is that the wiring from the overdrive switch may not be routed properly and may come into contact with a steering-column-cover mounting screw and cause a short. This short will blow the #17 fuse.
Understanding the New Venture Gear 226 Transfer Case
In the previous issue we discussed the theory of operations of the New Venture Gear 226 transfer case, which is found in the GMC Envoy, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Oldsmobile Bravada. This chapter is devoted to helping you to get familiar with the electronic functions of this “active” transfer case.
February 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
Dodge and Jeep trucks with 5.9-liter Cummins diesel engines may experience premature convert-er-clutch failure.
Some RE and RH transmissions (the 500/518/618 transmissions with or without a governor-pressure solenoid) may experience a premature low/reverse-band burnout immediately after overhaul.
Some 1996-99 vehicles equipped with the 42-47RE transmissions may exhibit a continual trouble code 1762 – governor-sensor offset volts or drift too low or too high – before or after overhaul.
1989 and later A518, 46RE and 47RE units may exhibit a late or no shift into third under various temperature conditions.
Chrysler Corp. redesigned the housing for the rear (direct) clutch on the A500 (42RE) transmission during the 1998-99 model years on some models.
The Upshift-Delay Dilemma
Several 1989-1995 Mercedes vehicles using the 722.3 or 722.4 transmission employ a device called the “upshift-delay vacuum actuator.” For this article, I will refer to it as the UDVA.
Rescue Ranger
Many times after an initial scan of the computer system, you find an electrically related solenoid code. If you’re lucky, a new solenoid fixes it, or maybe there’s a problem with the internal wiring – not so bad to fix these problems.
But then there are the times that these items do not take care of the problem. That usually means these days that an external wiring problem is causing that solenoid code.
The New Breed of Active Transfer Cases – the New Venture Gear 226
The newest design level in the active transfer case is the NVG 226. GM introduced the Trailblazer, Envoy and new Bravada models that feature a newly designed straight six-cylinder engine. This engine has very high horsepower and torque output and is arguably the smoothest-running straight 6 ever produced. In order to complete this almost vibration-free package, GM chose the NVG 226 transfer case.
Necessary Tools
One of the responsibilities of a reputable transmission shop is to prevent problems before they occur. Checking the quality of the parts that are going into the transmission is one way to achieve this. Checking the hardness of the metal parts is an important part of this process.
January 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
Accumulator springs that have been installed incorrectly, or accumulator-piston shafts that are scored or worn and are interfering with accumulator-piston movement, can cause various shift-quality complaints.
On some 1996 and 1997 Ford Taurus and Sable models, the PCM may have been reprogrammed to eliminate TCC operation during normal driving conditions.
Stuck On, Stuck Off or Just Plain Stuck
With the introduction of OBD-II, a ton of additional codes became available (remember, we were always asking for more information). In some instances, these new codes were a great help because they did not just indicate a short or an open circuit but also pointed to parameters that were out of range, which included both mechanical and electrical problems.
