A4LD/4R44E: Ford 4.0-Liter Crank-Spacer Puzzle
Sometimes gathering all the information about a problem is like fitting together the pieces of a puzzle. Finding out about differences in Ford 4.0-liter converter pilots was like putting a piece of a puzzle in place and seeing the whole picture a bit more clearly.
October 2004 Issue
Issue Summary:
After overhaul, a 4L30-E in an Isuzu, BMW or Cadillac has no 3-4 shift; shortly thereafter the transmission is in failsafe and a gear-ratio-error code is stored.
A variety of drivability complaints can occur in Daewoo Lanos, Nubira and Leganza after repairs, possibly accompanied by codes including P1336.
In BMW M3, 530i and 320i with the ZF 5-HP-18 transmission, turning of the stator support in the pump cover may cause complaints of no power on takeoff, sudden neutralizing, bind-ups or failsafe.
Not using the factory-specified fluid in ZF automatic transmissions can result in damage to friction elements.
Audi or BMW vehicles equipped with the ZF 5-HP-19FL, ZF 5-HP-19FLA or ZF 5-HP-19 may exhibit a flare on the 2-3 upshift.
Damaged alignment dowel pins can result in damage to the torque converter in BMW 5-HP-18 and 5-HP-30 transmissions.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
About 75% of the technical calls we handle are dealing with transfer-case problems, usually occurring after a transfer case has been disassembled and repaired, or another reman or new unit installed. The conversations range from, “I took the transfer case apart and can’t find anything wrong with it” to “This is the third transfer case we put in the vehicle and I still have the problem,” or “The reman transfer case I just bought from you is doing the same thing.”
Ford 5R110W (‘TorqShift’)
The TorqShift is a five-speed, rear-wheel-drive unit that actually has six forward speeds with ratios depending on whether the transmission is operating in hot or cold mode.. The ratio for 1st gear was changed from 2.71 to 3.09. For 2nd gear the overdrive clutch is applied to provide a ratio of 2.20. 3rd gear provides a ratio of 1.54, the same as the 4R100’s second gear. All sound familiar? In cold mode (below -15°C (5°F), determined by the transmission-fluid-temperature sensor), the overdrive clutch is engaged in 3rd gear to provide a ratio of 1.09 for 4th gear, and the transmission will shift directly from 4th to 6th gear (overdrive), which has a ratio of 0.71. In hot mode the transmission will shift 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th (ratio 1.00), 6th.
Managing the Manager
The word “manage” basically means to handle. It could be the handling of anything, but in the case of business it generally means people. Managers handle people. Some do it well, but others seem to make a career of barely getting the job done while seeing how many employees, customers and business associates they can alienate along the way.
Mitsubishi/Hyundai F4A41/42/51
Misassembly of the low/reverse and/or second-brake clutch packs in Mitsubishi’s F4A40 and 50 series transaxles can occur easily. Especially if you are the individual who answers phones, makes parts orders, road-tests vehicles, handles problems under the lift and rebuilds transmissions, all in a day’s work. And when a misassembly takes place, the transmission may slip through second, chatter in reverse, go to limp mode with a second-gear ratio code and/or a solenoid-performance code.
