January 2004 Issue
Issue Summary:
The M6HA and BAXA family originated in the 1997 Honda Prelude and the 1998 model Honda Accord. Other members of this family include MAXA, B7XA, MDWA, B7TA, B7YA, M7ZA, B6VA and M7WA.
December 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
Beginning with the 2001 model year, all 4L60-E transmissions were produced with a new-design converter-clutch regulator-valve lineup in the valve body.
2000-model GM trucks equipped with 4L60-E transmissions and either 4.8- or 5.3-liter engines may experience a driveline vibration at speeds between 35 and 50 mph during conditions of low engine speed and the driver’s foot off the accelerator pedal.
The valve-body spacer plate for the 4L60-E transmission has changed every year since its introduction in 1993, and the plates will not interchange from year to year. The valve-body casting changed again for model year 2001.
Some 1999-2001 Chevrolet and GMC C/K trucks and/or Cadillac Escalades with 4.3-, 4.8-, 5.3- or 6.0-liter engines and 4L60-E or 4L80-E transmissions may, on initial startup during cold weather, exhibit late 2-3 and 3-4 shifts and delayed converter-clutch application.
November 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
After re-installation, the transmission in a Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager is stuck in third gear, line pressure is at a maximum level and the inhibitor-switch circuits do not range correctly. Solenoid codes also may be present.
The Audi 01F/01K transaxle (ZF 4HP-18FLE/FLA) may have a vent cap mounted on top of the transmission filler tube instead of a dipstick.
In GM electronically controlled transmissions, false output signals can cause complaints including no TCC apply, wrong-gear start, missing gears, falling out of gear, or line-pressure control problems.
When removing the allen-style torque-converter bolts in 4L60-E and 4L80-E transmissions, a technician may find them difficult to remove and possibly round out the internal hex slots.
1999-2002 4WD trucks with a New Venture Gear 236/246 transfer case may experience a “Service 4WD” indicator light that remains on, possibly accompanied by Service Code B2725 (ATC Mode Switch Circuit Malfunction).
An electronically shifted GM transmission may exhibit late 2-3 and 3-4 shifts under heavy-throttle conditions but seem to operate properly under normal throttle conditions. It also may have an elongated forced detent shift with no increase in vehicle speed that may require the driver to back off the throttle to complete the shift.
October 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
General Motors electronic transmissions can experience a wide variety of complaints related to program parameters installed in the vehicle’s computer at the time of manufacture.
PCMs in some 1996 and 1997 Taurus and Sable models equipped with 3.0-liter 12-valve engines have been reprogrammed to eliminate complaints of engine surge or engine miss at vehicle speeds between 45 and 60 mph while the vehicle was still under factory warranty.
Before or after overhaul, 1995-2002 Ford Motor Co. vehicles equipped with 4R44E/55E or 5R44E/55E transmissions may exhibit soft or flared shifts and multiple gear-ratio errors.
September 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
No reverse, no 1st and no 4th before and/or after overhaul of a Volvo 50-40LE/50-42LE may result from the solenoid screens being installed upside down during cleaning and servicing of the valve body.
The transmission control module in some Kia vehicles may produce codes for a gear-ratio error, transmission-range-signal malfunction and/or converter-clutch malfunction even though it has not observed incorrect data or any malfunction.
Honda recently released a product update for a problem with the intake air breather pipe and a no-reverse condition on the 2003 Accord.
August 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
Vehicles equipped with the RE4RO1A transmission may exhibit a 2nd gear start, with no first or fourth gear.
Mitsubishi Fuso trucks have a diagnostic lamp that will flash if the automatic-transmission control unit detects a fault. We cover procedures for retrieving and clearing codes on 1988-94 and 1995 and later models.
July 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
On 1996 and newer Dodge and Jeep vehicles, deteriorated PCM connectors can cause a variety of diagnostic trouble codes.
Ford Escort/Mercury Tracer sedans have experienced a condition in which the transmission operates properly until the headlights are turned on, at which time the transmission is stuck in third gear and remains there until the headlights are turned off.
At the start of production for the 1996 model year, Nissan redesigned the throttle-position sensor and idle/full-throttle switch assembly.
Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable cars with the 3.0-liter, 12-valve Vulcan V-6 engine may develop a leak from the engine rear-main oil seal after fly-wheel replacement.
June 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
Before or after overhaul, 1989-95 vehicles equipped with E4OD transmissions may exhibit a delayed bang shift into reverse.
Beginning at the start of production for the 1999 model year, some models of the THM 4T65-E were produced with an internal mode switch, attached to the selector detent inside the transmission side cover.
May 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
The LJ4A-EL transaxle in a Mazda Millenia with a 2.3-liter (KJ) engine can experience severe friction damage and premature failure.
Before or after overhaul, Volkswagen/Audi vehicles equipped with 01M, 01N and 01P transaxles may exhibit a harsh 1-2 upshift, firmer-than-normal engagements, and firm upshifts to 3rd and 4th.
April 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
4R44E/4R55E or 5R55E units in 4WD Ford Explorers fall out of gear while either on throttle or coasting, and at times there is a ratcheting noise.
Chrysler LH vehicles with 3.5-liter engines may experience a code 1391 after transmission replacement.
Line rise in Chrysler 904, 727, 500/618 and pre-1996 RE units is sluggish and, in many instances, insufficient.
1996 and newer full-size V-6 Ram Cargo Vans with three-speed 999T transmissions produce a code P0740 after overhaul.
Some 2000-01 Ram Vans, Dakotas, Ram trucks and Durangos may exhibit a flashing Check Engine Light, caused by code P1740.
Before or after overhaul, Chrysler or Jeep vehicles with 42RE-46RE transmissions may exhibit stalling in Reverse or repeated planetary failure.
March 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
After an overhaul during which the channel plate is replaced, a THM 4T40-E may have various stuck valves caused by mysterious metal particles.
Before and/or after rebuild of a THM 4T40-E, the vehicle illuminates the check engine lamp and stores code P1887 or P0742 in memory.
After overhaul and replacement of the torque converter in a THM 4T60-E, code P1870 – transaxle component slipping – occurs during the road test.
In a THM 4T60-E, an incorrect pressure switch or one that is stuck closed can cause no or a late 1-2 shift or cause the unit to fall back to third gear after attempting a 3-4 shift.
Some 1995-96 Buick Century and Oldsmobile Ciera vehicles with the 3.1-liter engine and THM 4T60-E may exhibit 3rd-gear starts and the air conditioner not working because of a blown in-line fuse.
February 2003 Issue
Issue Summary:
Dodge and Jeep trucks with 5.9-liter Cummins diesel engines may experience premature convert-er-clutch failure.
Some RE and RH transmissions (the 500/518/618 transmissions with or without a governor-pressure solenoid) may experience a premature low/reverse-band burnout immediately after overhaul.
Some 1996-99 vehicles equipped with the 42-47RE transmissions may exhibit a continual trouble code 1762 – governor-sensor offset volts or drift too low or too high – before or after overhaul.
1989 and later A518, 46RE and 47RE units may exhibit a late or no shift into third under various temperature conditions.
Chrysler Corp. redesigned the housing for the rear (direct) clutch on the A500 (42RE) transmission during the 1998-99 model years on some models.
