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.
Advertising – for Those Who Think They Can’t Afford It!
You have to advertise regardless of whether you think you can afford it. It’s one of the few ways you have to bring new customers to your business. What you can’t afford is making expensive mistakes. Advertising is supposed to be an investment in your business that pays you a return. You buy an ad; new customers call – at least, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. Many times it doesn’t work that way for any number of reasons.
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.
The Psychological Advantage
In any sales situation either the customer or the salesperson takes the psychological advantage, meaning that one is better able to read and control the other. We should be able to read our customers far better than they read us, because we practice these techniques every day but the customer uses them only occasionally.
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.
January 2005 Issue
Issue Summary:
Some 2000-01 Dodge Ram Vans, Dakota and Ram pickups, and Durango SUVs with 46RE/47RE transmissions may exhibit a flashing Check Engine light, caused by diagnostic trouble code P1740 (torque-converter-clutch or overdrive-solenoid performance fault).
Before and/or after rebuild, vehicles equipped with Chrysler 47RE transmissions may exhibit soft TCC apply or repeated TCC failure.
A previously repaired Ford Motor Co. vehicle with the AX4S/AX4N transaxle may exhibit a feeling of surging with a complaint of engine-speed fluctuation during lockup application, followed by a noticeable “bump” at the end of lockup engagement.
Where Do We Go from Here?
The start of a new year is a time for reflection on the current state of business and a time to formulate a business plan for the next 12 months. For most shops in our industry the past few years have been difficult, and many have closed, sold out or changed the way they do business. Twenty-some-odd years ago there were about 24,000 transmission shops in the country, and at this point the latest estimates are less than 10,000 shops that do nothing but transmission work. This is consolidation on a grand scale.
