Volkswagen’s Direct-Shift Gear Box Part 4
Picking up where we left off last month, the remaining three solenoids to cover are two pressure-control solenoids – N215, which operates the K1 clutch, and N216, which operates the K2 clutch – and the N92 multiplexer solenoid (see Figure 1).
Crash and Burn
A few months ago I wrote an article about a transmission shop that was so poorly operated I didn’t know how it stayed in business. Well, guess what: It didn’t. I drove by yesterday, the signs were down and the place was locked up tighter than a drum. I was sad, but not the least bit surprised.
Understanding the Tremec 3650 5-Speed Transmission
The T5 was one of the most widely used transmissions in history. Ford replaced it for the Mustang with the T45, which was used in the Pony cars until 1991. Tremec then designed and got accepted by Ford the Tremec 3650, which replaced the T45 in Ford Mustangs in 1991 and is being used in 2007 production. Figure 1 shows other vehicles in which the 3650 is used.
Myth Busters
In the past three articles we looked at the evaluation of torque-converter modifications on a chassis dyno. The modified converters were compared with an OEM converter, and the testing was done by instructor Sean Boyle and three of his students at Southern Illinois University. An MD-250 Mustang Chassis Dyno was used for the evaluations, and a Dodge Durango RT, equipped with a stock 5.9-liter gas engine and 46RE transmission, was used as the test vehicle. All the converters were subjected to wide-open-throttle (WOT) horsepower tests. The vehicle was locked in third gear (direct drive) and TCC lockup was inhibited.
The Big Idea
In the transmission business, I too get to meet men and women who from time to time come up with a great idea and develop it into a salable product. I do not have a TV show, but at least I can present to you in this article three fellow technicians who saw a need and brought a solution into reality.
August 2007 Issue
Issue Summary:
Some V-8 BMW models equipped with the ZF 5HP24 transmission may exhibit a buzzing or droning noise coming from the bellhousing area.
A Cadillac or Oldsmobile equipped with a 4T80-E may exhibit a no-move condition in the D4 range after an overhaul.
During the 2005 model year Ford Motor Co. redesigned the low-/reverse-clutch retaining snap ring in the 5R110W for both diesel and gas applications, replacing the two previous designs.
Chrysler issued a safety recall concerning an out-of-Park alarm in March 2006 for 2003-05 Dodge Ram pickups equipped with the 5.9-liter diesel and the 48RE transmission.
A defective fill-tube seal can cause shift shudders and/or harsh torque-converter application in some 2005-06 Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Charger, and Jeep Grand Cherokee models equipped with the Mercedes 722.6 or NAG 1.
