Tuner-Update Software Easily Found Online
We all know how important it is to make sure the vehicles that come into your shop have the latest software loaded into the vehicle’s computer systems. No matter the make or model, they almost all have some kind of updated calibration that the OE decided was important enough for them to get the calibration approved and released, whether it be for drivability, fuel mileage, durability or just a software bug.
Computer power eases burden of synchro rings
Since the invention of the motorcar, designers and engineers realized that they needed to make the torque generated by the motor usable and efficient. This led to the creation of the transmission, which made the transfer of torque from the engine usable and smooth.
Six Ways from Sunday: Diagnosing ZF6 & Ford 6R60/80 TC-Related Drivability Concerns
Recently, TV picture troubles caused us to summon a repair technician to our home. The technician (we’ll call him Tech No. 1) snapped on his tool belt and started disassembling components as soon as he arrived. He checked over the satellite dish, then he continued the assault on the house by removing rows of ceiling tile for an in-depth inspection. After hand-checking all the connections, an hour into his service call, he condemned the satellite receiver. A couple days later the suspect receiver was replaced, but the intermittent screen-digitization problem remained.
March 2016 Issue
In This Issue
Dual-clutch transmission – Nissan RWD
Toyota Sequoia with corrosion of electrical connectors
GM 8L90 – The Other 8 Speed Automatic: Part 2
By 2014 GM released the 8L90 in the Cadillac ATS. A year later, the 8L transmission series had spread out to the Corvette and trucks such as the Silverado and Yukon. Currently, GM offers two models of eight-speed transmissions, the light-duty 8L45 and heavy-duty 8L90. When GM developed the 6L80/6L90 transmission series, they were loosely based upon the ZF 6HP family of transmissions. The 8L90 also has a ZF thumbprint on it, though somewhat less than the previous six speeds. One welcomed departure from ZF was the absence of an internal TCM in the GM units.
February 2016 Issue
In This Issue
General Motors 6T70 component upgrades
Too Close For Comfort: Pinpointing 4L60E Gear Train Assembly Problems
Let’s take a look at a common 4L60/65/70E scenario. During assembly of the transmission, the technician has difficulty installing the output shaft snap ring (Figure 1), or while checking the input shaft endplay finds that it is too tight or too loose (spec is 0.005″ to 0 .035″). The technician tears the unit back down to inspect for an (assumed) assembly problem, but cannot seem to figure out why the stack-up is not working.
The Honey Effect
No two customers or situations are exactly the same. But you will find that you get better results if you treat the person on the other end with respect and a little extra TLC.
Diagnosing Shifting Issues
One of the best and easiest tools that I use almost daily for diagnosing transmission problems is Passbook or application-chart information. When I have a shifting issue, a review of what solenoids and friction elements are applied in each gear can let me see what areas of the transmission the problem may be caused by, so I can then differentiate whether there is an electrical or mechanical issue causing the symptoms.
How Easy, or Hard, Is it to Service the Gen III Vehicle?
The Prius family – Prius Hatchback, Prius C, Prius V and the Plug-in – is still wildly popular, and a new Prius is coming soon. So this issue, we’ll compare the second-generation Prius (2004-09) to the current, third-generation Prius (2010-15). The redesign changed a lot, technically, but did the car get easier or harder to service and repair?
Déjà Vu All Over Again: Understanding Ring-and-Pinion Setup
This article will attempt to explain once again the proper procedures to successfully replace a ring-and-pinion set. Although I have addressed this topic more frequently than I want to, ring-and-pinion setup continues to mystify many technicians. Replacing a ring-and-pinion set is one of the simplest and most profitable repairs for a shop. There has always been a mystique involving what should be an easy repair and in the past many shops turned away this work or farmed it out to a specialist. Perhaps there are many new people coming into the business, or shops that are not that experienced are trying to add more services for their customers to increase gross sales, or more customers are looking to improve fuel economy or vehicle performance; whatever, this simple repair generates more tech calls than virtually anything else. Hence, we go over procedures to follow for a simple, cost effective repair.
The Older We Get
Aging is not always a pleasant subject with which to deal. It tends to slow us down, make us forgetful and force us to change the way we go about our everyday lives. Although deep down inside most of us will be 25 forever, our bodies don’t help us keep that promise. Our brains tell our arms and legs which way to go but they don’t always obey, and remembering everything that used to be automatic becomes a struggle, so we have to continually think a move or two ahead.
I’ve found, as I’ve aged, that the simpler I keep things the more chance I’ll have of remembering them. This is especially true in dealing with customers. If I follow the same routines and tell the truth all the time there is much less I have to remember, allowing me to be far more effective. That way I won’t hesitate when I’m speaking and won’t have to search my internal database constantly trying to remember what lie I told to which customer. I was never a very good liar to begin with, but for those who are, you probably won’t be as you age, so it might be a good idea to start changing your tactics now.
