2006 Archives - Page 3 of 7 - Transmission Digest
Subaru 4AT Phase 2 Part 2

The first installment of this article, published in the July 2006 issue of Transmission Digest, provided information regarding leaf-spring locations, solenoid identification and specifications as well as the transfer-clutch solenoid update and its operation.

You Can’t Rely on the Relay

Chrysler’s 41TE transmission has been in use since 1989, the 42LE since 1993, the 45RFE since 1999 and the 42RLE since 2003. With each of these transmissions having similar electronics, they also have similar diagnostic codes and testing consistencies.

A Look at the New Venture 244 Gen II Transfer Case

We have become used to a never-ending stream of new technology and the introduction of many new models of transmissions and transfer cases. I remember the days when we had only about 20 transmissions to worry about and roughly a half dozen transfer cases; now, you need a computer to keep track of all the different units.

Zapped

There are many ways one could be “zapped” by electricity, and one way that it happened to Jesse Zacarias from Elec-Trans Diagnostics in Gilroy, Calif., goes like this. A 2003 Dodge Ram truck equipped with a 5.9-liter Cummins diesel and a 48RE transmission came into his shop with a complaint of taking off in 3rd gear. The park and neutral gear-select indicator lights were the only ones that would illuminate. With any scan tool, Jesse could retrieve a code P0700 (transmission fault present) from the engine-control module but could not communicate with the powertrain-control module for the transmission.

Water Contamination in Torque Converters

Opening up a torque converter and finding what looks like a strawberry milkshake inside is fairly common in the rebuilding industry. The strawberry-milkshake appearance is the result of ATF being contaminated by water. A small amount of water mixed with transmission fluid will change the appearance of the fluid dramatically. Since many shops have limited areas available for storing cores, some cores are open to the elements. Transporting cores in open vehicles also increases the opportunities for water contamination.

When in Doubt, Reset

If you find yourself faced with a1998-up Acura RX300 or a 2000-up Toyota RAV4 with shift-quality concerns, here are a few things you should know before you waste your time chasing wild geese.

Your Guess Is as Good as Mine!

What do your customers really think of your shop and the services you have to offer? What do they really want from you? What will make them want to come see you again and how often? What incentives, if any, are important to them? What will turn a prospect who doesn’t seem to want to buy into a customer? What will it take to keep that customer for life? Do you know, or are you just guessing on the basis of your own feelings or a few comments that a handful of customers have made to you over the years.

Worldwide Conditions and New Transmission Technology

With the technological advances of the past 100 years the world has become smaller. Fax machines, the Internet, cell phones and the globalization of industry have created a business climate that is evolving at an incredibly rapid pace.

August 2006 Issue

Issue Summary:

We provide exploded views of the Aisin Seiki 450-43LE valve body and identification of its components.

Before or after overhaul, some Volvo models equipped with the AW 55-50 SN transaxle may exhibit a neutral bang on takeoff.

Valve-Body ‘Kibbles & Bits’

In all the years of building transmissions, I think the worst thing that could happen is having the R&R guy, manager or owner come back after a road test and tell you, “It’s not working.” All of a sudden you get this knot-in-your-stomach feeling that makes you wish this were not really happening.

Subaru 4AT Phase 2

One of the more-frequently asked questions in calls ATSG receives regarding the Subaru 4AT Phase 2 transmission is, “Where do the leaf springs go for the 2/4-clutch and low/reverse-clutch-pack stack-up?” Figures 1 and 2 show the position and configuration for the 2/4 pack, and figures 3 and 4 show the low/reverse pack.

They Don’t Listen

What do lots of owners whose small businesses get into trouble have in common? They don’t listen. Maybe they don’t even ask, but the fact remains that they have major difficulties because they assume they know what their customers want and need. Finding out could save the lives of their businesses and allow them to prosper. Their lack of listening skills also gets them into trouble when they’re trying to handle customer-relations issues. We’ll look at both problems.